Walk Against Warming bike-riders leave for Upper Florentine
A team of 9 cyclists began their ride to the Upper Florentine today for the Walk Against Warming.† Riders are travelling to the event using pedal-power to promote the Walk and to encourage other Tasmanians to use sustainable transport options, such as car-pooling and buses.††
The 120 km ride was officially started by Federal Member for Denison the Hon. Duncan Kerr and a supporting group of riders including Deputy Lord Mayor Helen Burnett led the riders out of the city on the first leg of their journey. Four more cyclists will join the team at Maydena on Saturday morning.
Keen bicyclist Carl Bennett, who has cycled between Hobart and the Upper Florentine several times, is leading the trip and says it’s a great opportunity for people to travel to the event in a fun and interesting way.
“It’s an awesome ride through some beautiful parts of Tasmania, including the forests of the Upper Florentine. The views of the magnificent mountains of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area along the way are breathtaking and we’re all really looking forward to it” said Mr Bennett.
“Changing transport behaviour is an important part of the personal response to climate change; however, sustainable transport is just one way of addressing climate change. We also need to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency, invest in renewable energy, and commit to protecting the world’s forests, including those in Tasmania,” said Jess Wright from Environment Tasmania, one of the groups organising the event.
The Walk Against Warming will feature talks from a number of people, including climatologist James Risbey and gardening celebrity Peter Cundall, as well as music by Tasmanian Aboriginal singer songwriter Ronnie Summers and internationally renowned Australian singer songwriter Xavier Rudd.
The Walk will coincide with the international day of action on climate change, with hundreds of events across the globe aimed at sending a strong message to world leaders to take urgent action on climate change.
The Walk Against Warming is this Saturday 12th December, 12 noon, in the Upper Florentine. More information www.et.org.au
Jess Wright, Walk Against Warming
