Utah houses of worship will ring bells this afternoon as part of "350: Day of Action for Climate Justice" to raise awareness about global warming.
The Rev. Diana Johnson, director of Utah Interfaith Power & Light, said Episcopal churches in Logan, Centerville and Salt Lake City will participate, as will the First Unitarian Church in the state's capital.
Other churches, synagogues, temples and mosques have been invited also to ring church bells, hand bells or other "joyful" noisemakers 350 times at 3:50 p.m.
"Worldwide, churches are being asked to ring their bells," Johnson said. "Church bells are typically rung in times of crisis to announce something serious is happening."
She called the bell-ringing "an important stewardship opportunity," given that every major faith tradition calls on its members to be good stewards of the environment.
"350: Day of Action for Climate Justice" is an initiative started by environmentalist and author Bill McKibben to get the attention of world leaders before the world climate summit in Copenhagen in December.
The number 350 refers to the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that scientists have determined is safe. While 350 parts per million is safe, the current level is nearly 390 parts per million, according to the organization.
In Salt Lake City, organizers plan a day of music, poetry and speeches beginning at 11 a.m. and ending at 6 p.m. at the main library downtown.
In Ogden, organizers plan to gather at the Ogden Nature Center from noon until 3:30 p.m. to battle invasive species that impede other plants' ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
