PORTLAND, Ore. - More than 1,000 Portlanders gathered Saturday in Pioneer Courthouse Square as part of a 181-country event to mark the International Day of Climate Action.

Portland's event was held as part of the Oregon 350 Climate Action Rally.

Participating groups included the Oregon Climate Crisis Walk, the River of Action (a formation of canoes and kayaks on the Willamette), the 350 Bike Ride, Portland State University students, and a coalition of local businesses including The GreenVille Project.

"We have the ability to shape corporate culture and play a vital role in modeling good behavior in the neighborhoods we operate in," said Jae Larson, CEO of The GreenVille Project. This Portland-based venture includes Eva Longoria Parker of "Desperate Housewives" fame.

"The time has come," Larson said, "for us to be responsible stewards of the environment that has provided such opportunity and prosperity."

Events during the rally included music, comedy, speeches and "the formation of an aerial 350 for a photo to be displayed at Times Square," reports a rally coordinator.
 
The 350 movement, founded by author Bill McKibben, reportedly has inspired more than 5,000 actions to raise awareness of the maximum safe level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The newly calculated maximum safe level is reportedly 350 parts per million; according to reports, the current level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is around 387 ppm.

"The bills in Congress are only targeting stabilization at around 450 ppm," said an organizer.

In six weeks the United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen is expected to negotiate a new climate treaty. Organizers at Saturday's event in Portland hope that this rally will help "raise the bar for a stronger treaty."

"They're asking our leaders to lead - to pay attention to scientific reality, not political convenience," said McKibben.

Speakers included both a delegate to the Copenhagen conference and a man who recently walked 350 miles in 35 days along the Oregon Coast, Phil Carver.

On  Friday, Oct. 23, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) - chairman of the senate committee on environment and public works - released text of the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act (S. 1733). The bill reportedly will "allow the U.S. to take control of our energy future and create more clean, green jobs," said Jamie Hogue of Climate Solutions. All "while beginning to tackle the climate crisis by reducing the levels of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere," Hogue said.
 
At the local level, Megan Ponder, representing Mayor Sam Adams, read a mayoral proclamation declaring Oct. 24 the 350 Day of Climate Action in Portland. Representative for the Portland/Multnomah Climate Action Plan are expected to attend Portland's City Council on Wednesday, Oct. 28.