350.org Events: The 350.org Car!

This Saturday, October 24 is 350.org’s International Day of Climate Action. Artfulchange will be hosting a carbon neutral online concert fundraiser all day on our website and an after-party that night at the Box! We hope you can all come. Many other Bay Area organizations are doing great events that day as well and we are doing a series this week to highlight those projects.

I had the chance to interview Timonie Hood, owner of the 350.org car. It's an amazing project that shows how much of an impact one person can have:

What is your mission with the 350.org Car?

My mission was take individual action to spread the climate action message.  I recently purchased a new Prius and part of my plan to maximize the impact of the fuel efficient car (51 MPG) was to wrap it to promote 350.org.  350.org is organizing the International Day of Climate Action on October 24th to send the message to United Nations delegates that we must bring CO2 levels below 350 parts per million in the atmosphere to avoid climatic disaster.  

I think of my car as a full-body bumper sticker for the cause.  It is definitely, in it’s own right, a piece of art.  By wrapping my car, I have been able to reach out and talk about the importance of getting below 350 parts per million of CO2 in the atmosphere and about getting involved in the October 24th actions.  In fact, people seek me out to ask about the car.  I’ve had fabulous notes left under my windshield, and even people at gas stations and drive thrus have been eager to find out what 350 is about.

By taking the message to the streets, the 350.org car is using car art to do something that many climate activists are not able to do – take the message to the general public where they are.  It’s a lot of fun to strategically park the car to expose new people and to listen to their comments as they walk by.   

What will the 350.org Car be doing on the International Day of Climate Action?

The 350.org Car will be all over the Bay Area on the weekend of the International Day of Climate Action.

October 24th

9:00 – 10:00 – Ravenswood Pond Restoration, Menlo Park, CA http://www.350.org/node/9184
10:30 1:00 – Shaffer School, Hayward, CA  http://www.350.org/node/7233
3:00 – 5:00 Artsboretum Thrill the World Dance , Gabrielson Park, Sausalito, CA http://www.350.org/node/7647

October 25th

12:00 – 3:00  San Mateo Green Job Corps – Coyote Point Museum, San Mateo, CA http://www.350.org/node/8350

We hope to lift and carry the car for true carbon free transportation at the Green Jobs event on the 25th.

Hope you can join us!  To find 350.org actions around the world, visit http://www.350.org and click the orange button.


Why did you decide to merge art on a car and change?

I was looking for a creative action I could take that would involve the design community.  Based on some successful crowdsourcing competitions I’ve worked on, I had a feeling a 350 car wrap design completion would be a hit – and I was right.  I was fortunate to find an existing International Car Wrap Design Competition online http://bit.ly/350wrap that allowed organizations to upload direction and graphics to guide car wrap graphic designers.  Because 350.org already had an extensive image and logo information on the site, it was easy to upload the 350.org brief.  To date. four outstanding designs have been entered and the 350.org car wrap became a monthly contest winner.  Others can enter car wrap designs or competition briefs as the competition runs through May of 2010.

How did wrapping your car for 350.org help people change the world?

While this is just one small action, I know it’s helping people change the world by raising awareness of 350.org and climate change within the design community and with the general public.  The car wrap competition is based in South Africa and the wrap designer, Darren Duffield, and other competition designers have definitely learned about the 350.org message and have shared their artistic vision to “drive home” the importance of climate action.  The 350 Car was featured in the South African business press and we expect more press to come on October 24th.  The wrap designer is even planning an event for 350 Day in South Africa.  I also think it’s changing the world by bringing the issue to the attention of people who don’t usually work on climate change.  The 350 Car is creating a lot of buzz and buzzing changes the world!

What have been your biggest challenges and rewards with the 350.org Car?

I really struggled with the sustainability of car wrapping because car wraps are made of long lasting vinyl that can have environmental and health impacts, but I decided that sharing the climate message in this way was important to me.  I also felt that I could use my inability to find a green car wrap made of biobased (non-petrochemical) plastic as a way to raise awareness or the need for green car wrap development.  As a first time car wrapper, it was also challenging to find a great local wrap installation company willing to produce one wrap with a designer in South Africa.  Coordinating the artwork and file sharing with Factory Wraps in Antioch and the designer in South Africa took some extra time, but it was well worth the wait!  

As for the rewards – they are generated each day with this is an amazing art car – I have new opportunities to educate people and support the actions of climate leaders.  I really feel like I’m supporting “Non-Climate Change Change Agents” with the car and the discussions that follow.  A few unanticipated benefits are that other drivers are eager to help me merge, and kids love to learn about the “cool race car.”

What will you do with the car after the October event?

I’ll continue to use the car to educate people and join events to raise awareness of climate change.  At some point I’ll cover or update the date on the wrap with a patch.  Another upside of car wrapping is that it protects the paint and I don’t need  to wash or wax it – it’s very low maintenance.

If others are interested in wrapping their cars for good, what should they do?

The 350.org design is available for others to use.  Of course, you would have to pay for the artist’s time to adapt the design if you have a different type of car (no SUVs please), and for the installation.  If you’re interested in developing a different wrap, you can contact car wrap companies directly or you may want to enter your idea in a wrap design competition.

How do people find out about the 350.org Car and you online?

Please check out the blog on the 350 car on WiserEarth.org  http://blog.wiserearth.org/taking-your-message-to-the-streets/.  

If you have any questions or would like the car to join an event or parade, please feel free to email me – cheesesticks8@yahoo.com.