This week, we launched the “Zoos and Aquariums for 350” Climate Change Movement at our Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida, USA. Over one hundred participants from international zoos, aquariums, and conservation organizations joined in the event, learning about the Zoos and Aquariums for 350 movement and how to implement it in their home institutions.

The Zoos and Aquariums for 350 Movement (Z&A for 350) calls on zoos and aquariums to divest their institutions’ investments from fossil fuel companies, reduce carbon footprints and offset remaining carbon emissions, and engage in climate change education initiatives.

The Z&A for 350 Movement has three components.

Divestment - Zoos that invest money can choose to divest from fossil fuel companies and reinvest in solutions that align with their mission of conservation. Learn more.

Carbon Offsetting - The Zoos and Aquariums for 350 Carbon Offset Initiative, supported by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), is in place to help zoos and aquariums that have already reduced their carbon footprint as much as possible to compensate for their institutions’ unavoidable carbon emissions through the purchase of credible, additional, and sustainable carbon offsets. Learn more.

Show the Wild Face of Climate Change - Clear communication about the effects of climate change on all species is a key piece to the puzzle. Many zoos already communicate with their visitors about this threat, and here is one more way to invite zoo keepers and visitors to add their own voices to the mix. Learn more.

Z&A for 350 joins 350.org, an organization that is building a global, grassroots movement to solve the climate crisis. Phil Aroneanu, one of the founders of 350.org, helped kick off the movement and share his experiences leading one of the biggest climate change movements in the world. 

Scientific evidence shows that climate change will become a primary driver of species extinction in the coming century. CBSG is focusing attention on the issue of climate change due to the urgency of the threat to species and the need for accelerated action in the search for solutions. Acting on climate change aligns with our mission to “save threatened species by increasing the effectiveness of conservation efforts worldwide.”