Why?
A 350 Blitz gets the number into consciousness. When people start to see it all over, they may get curious. It is a way to start people thinking, talking and then doing.
How?
Ingredients:
- some friends, neighbors, co-workers
- materials for making postings
- creative ideas
Steps:
- Talk to some friends, neighbors, coworkers about the idea of a Blitz. Children will enjoy participating in all aspects.
- Plan a date to get together for a sign making party. Ask folks to bring recycled materials and good ideas for signs and places to post.
- Make using recycled and other already existing materials a high priority. Besides your home, resale shops and the Scrapboxare places to look for supplies. Make them simple or elaborate, use just the info, or make them works of art.
- Make any variety of signs displaying 350 and put the website: aa350.org, on each.
- Decide on a Blitz date. Share some snacks and brainstorm places to post/display them.
- Get permission to post one in a neighborhood place of business and or other high visibility areas as needed
- Do the blitz with lots of signs, postings and tree hangings. You can blitz anytime, but doing it at dusk so that suddenly lots of 350s appear can be fun. They can be placed on already existing sign posts, in your yards, at a neighborhood public place, or in a storefront. Remember to make one to wear!
- Take photos to share with others and post on website.
- Share some food and stories after.
- Repeat as often as it will raise consciousness and be fun.
- You are ready to try another recipe.
In real life
Transition Ann Arbor partnered with Ann Arbor 350 to do a Blitz. A group of neighbors and friends got together, brainstormed ideas, and then during several more get-togethers, made items to wear and post. On December 11, 2009, during the Copenhagen Climate Conference, we put up stickers, buttons, posters and other items in various locations around town.
The event had a group in each of 2 locations. The downtown one started at our People’s Food Co-op which offered us warm hospitality in the form of hot drinks, snacks and a table to assemble materials. They created a large 350 poster for their window.One hearty group of 11, including 5 youth ages 7-13, set out in the 15 degree weather at night fall with high spirits and warm clothing.
We posted signs, stickers, tree ornaments and passed out small info notes to passers by. Several blocks later, we met up with the biking coalition’s monthly ride around town to give them a warm send-off. They decided to feature 350 for their ride and wrote a clever and rousing 350 song which we all joined voices to sing vigorously as they prepared to leave.
Our numbers swelled a bit and we moved on blitzing several more blocks with renewed energy. The other group focused on an area near Jewett along Packard. They took turns staying with very young children in their homes and posting stickers and wood shingles along the street. Some folks posted some in their neighborhoods.
Check out a Story about the Blitz!: http://www.transitionus.org/stories/ann-arbor-350-blitz
