CANMORE, Alta.—Olympic and World Cup medallists, Sara Renner and Thomas Grandi, are encouraging Canadians young and old to join them in a one-day journey to stem the climate crisis, October 24, 2009 in Canmore, Alta., as part of International Day of Climate Action.

With people around the world taking action in their respective communities, the Olympic couple are hoping to rally a group of 350 people concerned about the climate to participate in a symbolic expedition from the Civic Centre in Canmore, Alta. to the Quarry Lake. The “Canmore Climate Crusaders” are being encouraged to plan their departures from the Civic Centre according to their own walking, hiking, running, rollerskiing or biking ability in order to arrive at the Quarry by 12 noon where they will all join together to make the numbers 350 for a group photo.

All photos of the day can be uploaded to 350.org, and will be displayed in New York City on the big screen in Times Square.

Participants are being encouraged to make and bring their own banners, paint their faces, wear Halloween costumes, decorate bikes or dogs, or just come as is. The person with the best decorated 350 banner will win a day of cross-country skiing or alpine skiing with Thomas and Sara.

Renner and Grandi began leading Canmore’s 350 movement in support of climate change last year with a 20-kilometre recreational bike ride with the community in an effort to get global action on what some have deemed to be the worst crisis humans have ever faced.

The number 350 is the most important number in the survival of the planet – 350 parts per million (ppm) of carbon dioxide (CO2) is the safe line for the global climate. With the world mark currently at 387 ppm, Renner and Grandi are encouraging Canadians to join them in inspiring political leaders to act and remember this critically important number.

Being Olympic winter athletes, Renner and Grandi have a strong connection with the environment, their impact and the effects of climate change. The Alberta-based couple are also encouraging Canadians who are not available to participate in the Canmore experience to start their own 350 action events in their community.

For more information on 350, please visit www.350.org on the Internet. YouTube Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqof641pWys&feature=channel For updates and information on the canmore event go to http://350canmoreclimatecrusaders.blogspot.com.

WHO:               Sara Renner, Canadian Cross-Country Ski Team

                                Canadians of all ages

WHEN:             Saturday, October 24, 2009

                        9 a.m.   Sara Renner Interviews – Canmore Civic Centre

                        10:15    Sara Renner Public Speech

                        10:30    Group journey from Civic Centre begins

                        12 noon Group Photo forming numbers 350 at The Quarry

WHERE:           Canmore Civic Centre

Quarry Lake – 12 noon Arrival and Group Photo

SPONSORS:     Town of Canmore

                        Canmore Community Cruisers

                        The Paintbox Lodge

                        Devonian Properties

                        Gord Jewett Enterprise

*****