DURHAM — A worldwide event promoting climate change awareness was carried out locally Saturday by a coalition of young adults who organized the painting of a 40-foot mural in the downtown.

The University of New Hampshire Student Environmental Action Coalition (SEAC) and the Durham Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) co-sponsored the painting of the mural, which is on the side of the Out Back Gift Shop on Main Street. Organizers unveiled the mural at a ceremony Saturday morning as part of an international campaign coordinated by 350.org.

According to Alex Fried, one of the organizers, there are scientific studies that have shown 350 parts per million is the most carbon dioxide that can safely be in Earth's atmosphere. He said the current CO2 concentration is around 390 ppm, so the campaign aims to urge world leaders to act on climate change.

"This is the largest day of climate change activism ever," he said, adding more than 4,800 actions were done in more than 180 countries.

Oyster River junior Emily Behrendt, 17, conceived the idea of a mural. She said there used to be a mural at the same location that depicted people sitting at a cafe. She said it was "an obvious place to do it."

"This is a central area of the community," added Lauren Banker, 18, a member of both SEAC and SDS and a UNH freshman. "A lot of people pass through here and this will catch everyone's eyes."

The mural is made up of four different scenes: a jungle, the arctic, the ocean and a mountainous forest. Organizers worked together to choose the four scenes, then had four artists — Cara Masullo, Lucas Perry, Naomi Kornhauser and Amaryth Gass — sketch out the designs. Many people helped paint the scenes, organizers said.

"This was a community-oriented event," Fried said.

"It's pretty cool to be a part of something like this, especially involving art," Masullo said. She wished she could have incorporated the "350" theme into her portion more, but was generally happy with it. She said it is a success if it makes people realize they can act locally and do small things to help the environment.

Organizers began discussing the mural over the summer and put in at least 150 hours of planning and painting to complete it. But it was worth it, said SEAC member and UNH sophomore Bekah Hawley.

"We have to take care of our planet," she said. "It's our home and it's important to take care of it."

When asked to respond to people who doubt the existence of global warming, she said, "They need to pay better attention."

The mural will now be a lasting monument to climate change that organizers hope will grab people's attention. The mural includes pieces of writing, from a short, simple message of "Think globally, act locally" held up on a sign by a polar bear, to longer messages about the importance of climate change awareness.

"The intention was to do something that will last forever," Hawley said. "It's something the community has taken ownership of."

"It adds character to the town," Fried added.

Banker said she hopes the mural draws attention to the college community. She said UNH is already very sustainable, but added there's always more that can be done and hopefully the mural will attract environmentally-conscious students to the school.

Organizers took pictures of themselves gathered at the mural, which will be sent to Copenhagen for an environmental summit in December.

They had also hoped to place their handprints on the mural to signify endorsement of the mural's message, but the rain prevented it from happening. That has been rescheduled for next Saturday, Oct. 31, at 11 a.m.

Monika O'Clair/Citizen photo Students and artists celebrate the unveiling of the mural in downtown Durham Saturday. * Order a print of this photo