There’s a problem
Year after year of breaking temperature records and intensifying extreme whether events, in 2017 it has become impossible to avoid the realities of climate change. We all know this is happening, yet those who who could fix this problem fail to act ambitiously enough.
Learning about climate change and the politics surrounding the problem at university was a very overwhelming experience. I felt very sad about the fast depletion of natural resources, the loss of species, and the way the consequences of climate change will first affect the poorest and least responsible for it. I wanted to do something about all this, but didn’t know what or how.
Faced with such an urgent, overwhelming issue and with most leaders burying their heads in the ground, what can we do?
Here’s what we’re doing about it
While Camille and Jonah can pride themselves of having regularly travelled by bike around Melbourne for a while, most of my friends and family know I am no athlete. I bought my bicycle mid-February with this challenge in mind and did my best to be ready by now. To be honest, none of us are professional bike riders. We decided to break a sweat now – so that the rest of the world does not have to later – by challenging ourselves to ride our bicycles from Melbourne to Canberra.
Throughout this journey, we will be raising money for the amazing and ambitious non-for-profit Climate for Change. This unique organisation trains volunteer facilitators and sets up gatherings in ordinary people’s living rooms to talk about climate change and what we can do about it. Conversations with people we trust are the driving force behind changing our behaviour. That is why Climate for Change’s work is essential groundwork for creating the necessary climate for strong action on climate change.
In March 2016, Climate for Change was about to start such gatherings. Since then, conversations have happened almost every day, engaging hundreads of people every month. Throughout February and March 2017, fourty new facilitators have been trained, hence doubling this reach! Using the exponential model of Tupperware gatherings, Climate for Change aims to expand interstate by the end of this year. And by the next federal election, so many people will get the opportunity to have powerful conversations about climate change that the issue will not be ignored by those who want our vote.
Our impact will be to put climate change on the public agenda so that necessary actions are undertaken to protect our environment, biodiversity, and our communities.
Ultimately, this model could be replicated everywhere, and some individuals from the U.S and Singapore have already contacted Kat, Climate for Change’s director. In a few years, we might become part of an international phenomenon!
You can join us
Throughout our journey, we aim to raise $4,000. This effort is part of a larger crowdfunder during which over a hundread people plan to raise $125,000 altogether. This money will enable Climate for Change to train even more facilitators and expand interstate by the end of 2017.
Follow Jonah, Camille and I as we challenge ourselves until Canberra.
Encourage us by sending lovely messages.
And last but not least, join us and have an impact by donating to our campaign.
Will you join the conversation?
** Note that when donating, Chuffed (the platform we use to crowdfund) gives you the option to also donate to their company as they do not take a percentage off your donation to us. This is optional. Only your credit card company will charge you a small processing fee.
** For donors from France: les donations à notre campagne peuvent être faites en dollar australien uniquement. Pour vous aider à vous y retrouver, voici quelques conversions:
10€ = 14$
20€ = 28$
50€ = 70$
Désolé de la gêne occasionée, et merci pour votre soutien.