Can number 10 save the environment?

The date 10/10/10 generates a number of concepts -- coolness, binary code, even fractals and chaos theory.

"Most predictions and opinions concerning 10/10/10 are based on or rooted in its mathematical uniqueness as a number," writes paradigmsearch.

But for 350.org, the concept is extremely concrete. That's the day the campaign, which was organized to urge a worldwide movement to reduce atmospheric carbon, wants people to launch serious efforts to combat climate change.

"This October we're organizing a 'global work party' all over the world," the website says. "People will put up solar panels, dig community gardens--and send a strong message to our leaders: 'If we can get to work on solutions to the climate crisis, so can you.'"

350.org's site has a number of components. One explains the concept: Scientists say that 350 parts per million CO2 in the atmosphere is the safe limit for humanity.

However, the atmosphere is currently saddled with about 390 ppm, and bad air days are as common in the San Joaquin Valley as they are in the heat-scorched East Coast this summer, which has coal-fired power plants working at full steam to keep up with air conditioning demands.

350.org functions as a web-based platform to organize, educate and help develop projects. It offers ideas, helps people communicate and offers contacts with others planning projects.

For instance, author and clean energy activist Bill McKibben and a team from Unity College are planning a road trip next week to the White House to encourage President Obama to restore the solar panels put atop the world's most famous residence by former President Jimmy Carter.

McKibben, founder of 350.org, put it this way: "All around the country and the world people will be putting up solar panels and digging community gardens and laying out bike paths. Not because we can stop climate change one bike path at a time, but because we need to make a sharp political point to our leaders: we’re getting to work, what about you?

"We need to shame them, starting now. And we need everyone working together."

Strong words. Yet, the effort to embrace energy efficiency and alternative energy has expanded greatly in the past few years with major corporations, both U.S. political parties and mom and pop businesses joining J.Q. Public.

We'll keep you posted.

Photo: Spiral Galaxy courtesy hubblesite.org.