WALLKILL – October 24 was 350 Day. People from 181 countries around the world set up 5,200 events, where people called on governments and leaders to take action on the gathering crisis of global warming. The 350 refers to the 350 parts per million of carbon dioxide that scientists believe is the safe upper limit for the Earth's atmosphere. The current concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is 389 parts per million.

In the village of Wallkill, members of the Environmental Management Council distributed leaflets at various locations.

"Well, it was pouring rain," said Patty Lee Parmalee, who took part. "But the people we spoke with at the farm market and at the library book sale were very receptive and interested in what we had to say."

Angela Sisson, an organizer of the event, said, "We didn't expect a lot of energy from this event. But, basically it was a good start. It's important to let people know what 350 Day is, and what they can do on a local level to spread the word."

The information distributed by EMC members offered suggestions and tips on how to reduce carbon emissions on a local level. The suggestions include ways to conserve electricity, because most electricity is provided by coal-burning power plants, and planting more trees, because plants absorb carbon dioxide.

An EMC member dressed as a polar bear distributed leaflets at the Wallkill Farm Market and the Wallkill Library Book Sale. A polar bear was used because polar ice-caps are beginning to melt, threatening the polar bear with extinction.