Through the second half of 2009, Eco-Justice Ministries has been deeply involved in the global grassroots movement to address climate change that was coordinated by 350.org.

350.org is building an international movement calling for urgent action to end the climate crisis. They take their name from the need, recently identified by climate scientists, to reduce the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere from the current 387 parts per million to 350 ppm.

In June, 2009, Eco-Justice Ministries brought together a dozen church leaders from our local constituency to explore ways that we might be involved in the 350.org campaign. After an extended discussion of the campaign goals and strategies, we decided to take a two-pronged approach:

• We would encourage local churches and groups to create their own events for the international day of climate action in October.
• We would directly plan and coordinate a few major events, including a large public rally.

To accomplish these goals, we formed the 350Denver coalition, which includes faith groups (Eco-Justice Ministries, the Colorado Council of Churches, Colorado Interfaith Power & Light and three others) and five community organizations. (See www.350Denver.org for more details.) Through the hard work of the coalition, coordinated and staffed by Eco-Justice Ministries, Denver was one of the top ten cities in the US for participation in the 350 movement. 30 different events were held in the Denver area, and 20 of those were a direct result of the coalition's work.

350Denver brought many projects into local churches: the creation of 350 prayer flags, seven churches ringing their bells 350 times, two congregations collecting 350 energy-efficient light bulbs that were distributed in a low-income neighborhood, and petitions circulated within churches. At least 20 local congregations were involved in substantial and ongoing ways; many other congregations helped publicize area events and the 350 message. Hundreds of churches were contacted repeatedly with a faith-based invitation to join in the 350Denver day of public witness.

The rally at the Colorado State Capitol brought together 500 people for education, inspiration and advocacy at an exciting event with wonderful diversity. The rally was one of many settings where names and addresses were gathered for ongoing organizing on climate change issues.

The 350Denver coalition generated substantial media coverage for the 350.org events in the Denver area, with extensive reports on three TV stations, and in the area's newspapers. The involvement and witness from churches was an important element in the media's attention.

Eco-Justice Ministries is proud of our leadership in the 350Denver coalition. The work that we did in gathering and guiding this coalition has created a strong, committed and well-organized constituency that joins churches with advocacy groups. The new coalition is continuing to be visible and active in the climate change cause.

The goals that Eco-Justice Ministries brought to the 350Denver coalition were all successfully accomplished: Denver was a very active part of the 350.org movement. Because of our organizing, Denver was one of the top ten cities in the US. The message about the urgent need to reduce CO2 to 350 parts per million was clearly and repeatedly spread to a very wide audience, including churches. Leaders surfaced when churches and communities took responsibility for planning and conducting events. Eco-Justice Ministries provided special leadership training workshops for churches. Participating churches brought climate action into the core programs of their congregation: worship, education, community service and advocacy. The newly-visible 350Denver constituency communicated their message in politically effective ways to local and national decision-makers. The people and institutions who were involved in the October events have been brought into an ongoing coalition that is continuing to schedule events and do political advocacy.