NEWBURYPORT — Across the region today, people will bang drums, ring bells, make a healing blanket and plant bulbs, joining people around the globe to raise awareness about climate change.

Dubbed the International Day of Climate Action, people around the globe will take part in 4,000 different events. The day's events are all tied to the number 350, which represents the number (in parts per million by volume) that scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

The United States is currently at 390, so local groups of people from students to church leaders to activists will do their part to raise awareness about reducing carbon in the atmosphere, which is thought to cause warming of the climate.

"Those who are participating are just trying to get the word out to folks who may not be aware to let them know it's time to stand up and pay attention," said Elizabeth Marcus, one of the founding members of Transition Newburyport.

As part of the effort, The First Religious Society Unitarian Church will join with Transition Newburyport to make a video of the different modes of transportation being used around the region. Marcus will be filming at various intersections throughout the day around the city until 350 cars, bikes, pedestrians, skateboarders, strollers or other modes of transportation pass by.

Along with the making of the video will be events held at the Newburyport Waterfront and at the First Parish Church in Newbury. Events at the church will include a healing blanket workshop, planting 350 bulbs, the ringing of the bell (350 times) and an outdoor eco-service.

"Three years ago, we made it our mission to be stewards of earth and spirit, and as we continue to learn and go deeper into this subject, it becomes all the more important," said Erin Stack, head of missions at First Parish Church.

A healing blanket workshop will be hosted by Deborah Cinamon Whalen, a member of the Green Artist League. Whalen will help both children and adults create a piece of artwork made of seeds and salting materials that will go to a town in Appalachia that has been devastated by mountaintop removal coal mining, then laid down on the ground in order to heal the earth.

This will be the second year that the church has participated in a 350 event.

"It's really important for people to realize that this can't wait," Stack said. "CO2 stays in the atmosphere for 20 years. Even if we stopped now, we would still have 20 years left of increasing levels."

At the Newburyport waterfront, the NHS Environment Club will be hosting local bands and speakers in the afternoon, along with a playing of 350 drum beats at 3:50 p.m. in sync with the bells at the church. The rain location for this will be at the First Parish Church.

All four groups have been working hard in order to make International Day of Climate Action an informative and inspiring day. Both Stack and Marcus stressed that hopefully the events will push people to want to write to their representatives or to Congress to let them know that things must change. They hope to reach people in letting them know that 350 is no longer just a number.

"The purpose of this is to raise awareness among people in their communities and worldwide about the necessity to take action on climate change right away; it's not something that can wait any longer," Marcus said. "I hope people are moved to learn more and take action."

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF CLIMATE CHANGE

At First Parish Church, 20 High Road, Newbury

Healing Blanket Workshop, 2 to 5 p.m.

Planting of 350 bulbs, 3 p.m.

Group photo, 3:30 p.m.

Bell ringing (350 times) at 3:50 p.m.

Outdoor Eco Service held outside at the Chapel Under the Trees at 4 p.m.

At the Newburyport Waterfront

Local bands and speakers, noon to 3:50 p.m.

350 drum beats, 3:50 p.m.