Jamshedpur: Tata Steel Zoological Park participated in the Zoos and Aquariums for 350 observed across the world by zoos and aquariums on the occasion of World Biodiversity Day 2014.
Various zoos and aquariums in the country organized activities using the Show the Wild Face of Climate Change photo project as a central theme. The purpose of this activity was to demonstrate the zoo and aquarium communitys participation in the 350 climate change movement, and to creatively communicate to the public about the science of climate change and how it affects species.
Tata Steel Zoological Park participated in the initiative on the request of Zoo Outreach and submitted its photographs to Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG) who was driving this initiative globally.
At the zoo, children from Jamshedpur created paintings that depicted their rendition of 350 and these were submitted as part of a global effort on social media to highlight the cause of Zoos and Aquariums for 350. Also, as part of this initiative, the resident African Lions of our Zoo Jumbo, Edd, Saliya, Zoya and Kimu posed with the Zoos and Aquariums for 350 banners to
depict the Show the Wild Face of Climate Change theme.
The significance of 350 in Zoos and Aquariums for 350 refers to 350 parts per million (ppm) is what scientists say is the safe upper limit of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere and contributes to climate change. Right now, the atmosphere contains over 400 ppm of CO2 and is increasing every year.
At 400 ppm of CO2 in our atmosphere, were already seeing problems related to climate change, from the melting of the Arctic to increasing extreme weather events. If we stay on our current pathway, CO2 levels will continue to rise and climate change will continue to progress.