On October 24, people all over the world will take a stand for a safe climate future. Orcas Island will not only stand, but sing too.

International Day of Climate Action is being coordinated by the non-profit 350.org, which was founded by environmentalist Bill McKibben. The intention is to give voice to communities around the world to help solve the climate crisis. Over 1,500 actions are planned in over 119 countries. The local event is organized by Irthlingz Arts-Based Environmental Education from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. at the Odd Fellows Hall in Eastsound.

“My partner, Mike Hurwicz, and I started Irthlingz in 2002. We’ve worked with students locally, and in 2007, we worked with New York City high school students who performed our Penguins on Thin Ice climate change musical revue at the United Nations for the U.N. Commission on Sustainable Development,” executive director Sharon Abreu said.

Irthlingz will lead participants in singing a short song called “The Balance” from the climate change musical “Penguins on Thin Ice.” A recording of “The Balance” and lyrics can be downloaded at www.penguinsonthinice.com. On Oct. 24, the melody of the song will be practiced and then videotaped. The sing-along is for all ages. Groups and choruses are encouraged to join.

“So many people in our community love to sing, whether in a chorus or in the shower. What better use of our voices than singing to preserve the planet we love and cherish as home for ourselves, our kids, their kids and their kids?” Abreu said. “Ideally, we will have 350 people singing together.”

The number 350 indicates the parts-per-million of carbon dioxide as the maximum safe level of the atmosphere. When the number goes above 350, it creates instability and results in the planet warming. Currently, the parts-per-million of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is above 350.

“Exceeding 350 p.p.m. doesn’t mean we’re all doomed. We’re like the patient that goes to the doctor and learns he’s overweight or his cholesterol is too high. If he changes his lifestyle and gets healthier, he greatly reduces his risk of heart attack or stroke. The planet is in its danger zone because we’ve poured too much carbon into the atmosphere, and we’re starting to see signs of real trouble, so we need to help our planet get healthier,” Abreu said.

Irthlingz hopes to draw a crowd of 350 or more singers to the Orcas event. If a crowd of that size participates, the attendees will spill out into the street and be heard in the town of Eastsound. Everyone will be videotaped for 350.org.

“Our country has been putting more CO2 in the atmosphere than any other country for decades, leading the industrialized world in per capita emissions. We not only need to speak to this, we need to sing to it, with our voices strong,” Abreu said.

The United Nations is working on a global climate treaty to be presented in December in Copenhagen, Denmark. Abreu says the current plans for the treaty are too weak. In her opinion, it needs to incorporate a higher price on carbon to ensure less usage as well as give poor countries a “fair chance” to develop.

The October event is intended to influence government agencies before they finalize their position papers before the Copenhagen treaty. 350.org will deliver the messages they have gathered from communities like Orcas to the media and policy makers.

“We can hold our decision-makers accountable to producing a treaty that is strong, equitable, and grounded in the latest science. This is where the International Day of Climate Action comes in. If this global movement succeeds, we can get the world on track to get back to 350 and back to climate stability. It won’t be easy, that’s why we need all the help we can get,” Abreu said.

For information on International Day of Climate Change or to participate in this event, visit www.350.org/node/5443 to R.S.V.P. or contact Sharon Abreu at 376-5773 or sharmuse@gmail.com.