Working bee part of global effort

Hundreds of Dunedin people are expected to join thousands across the world in working on climate change concerns when the "350 Aotearoa Global Climate Working Bee" is held this weekend.

The national working bee is part of wider international activities, involving volunteers from 180 countries, who will be doing many things, including planting trees and organising bike rides.

The events take place next Sunday, on the 10th day of the 10th month of 2010.

Some groups taking part in the Dunedin event are also likely to sign up to a campaign to reduce carbon emissions by 10% in a year.

Among the day's highlights is a family picnic, titled a "Local Food Picnic Extravaganza". Featuring live music it will be held at the Woodhaugh Gardens from 1pm to 3pm.

350 Aotearoa aims to mobilise New Zealanders to address climate change issues.

The New Zealand organisation supports the goal of reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere from its current level of 390 parts per million (ppm) to below 350ppm, the safe upper limit, according to the group.

Paul Young, who is organising the picnic, said the Dunedin community was "getting active and walking the talk" over climate change issues.

During the day, "gardening gangs", organised by Students for Environmental Action, will help Dunedin people set up an edible garden patch in their back yard, providing all materials and seedlings.

An educational working bee will also be held at "The Patch", the Port Chalmers community garden.

In the city, the working bee is being held in partnership with Sustainable Dunedin City, an organisation which is running Dunedin's Big Green Challenge.