Seven keen Lancaster cyclists will be joining a mass five day cycle ride from London to Paris this December for the UN COP21 summit.
The group have been inspired to act and to collect and represent the voices of Lancaster at the climate negotiations where it’s hoped that a legally binding and universal agreement on climate change will be the outcome, with the aim of keeping global warming below 2°C.
The Lancaster seven hope to join the thousands of other voices heading to Paris by foot or bicycle to urge for urgent action and meaningful outcomes, hoping decisions made will avoid crossing the climate ‘tipping points’ which could spell disaster for human kind and many other species around the world.
The group organising the cycle ride are www.timetocycle.org – a voluntary organisation supported by Biketrain, Reclaim the Power, Campaign against Climate Change and The Otesha Project UK.
“I’m inspired to cycle to Paris to make a stand for the world’s present and future environment,” says Anne Jarvis, one of the cyclists.”Frustrated at the slow pace of change by governments, I’m keen to join with many others in an attempt to show how serious this issue is and how definite action needs to be taken now.”
In Paris the cyclists will join thousands of people gathering outside the summit venue to demonstrate how important it is to take climate action now. Delegates attending the summit will be urged not to leave until they reach an emissions-cutting deal, for the sake of a liveable world for our children and future generations.
The COP21 summit is the latest attempt to get governments of all countries around the world to agree upon actions to cut greenhouse gases by phasing out the use of fossil fuels. The last summit, held in Copenhagen in 2009, produced no resolution for action and was seen by most as a failure, and milions across the word argue these negotiations cannot be another one.
• Before departure the group will be collecting messages of goodwill to take to Paris and will be fundraising to cover the costs of the ride. To find out more, to send a message or to sponsor the cycle ride visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/lancasters-time-to-cycle-to-cop21 or contact Lauren Walker laurenwalker@phonecoop.coop