A Lismore man will leave on Monday on a 12-month, 8,000-kilometre kayak journey across the world to raise awareness about climate change.
Steve Posselt, an engineer, author and adventurer, will be farewelled by Lismore mayor Jenny Dowell from the Lismore city council chambers at 10.30am.
From there Mr Posselt will travel to Canberra to begin his journey, which will take him throughout the length of North America and into Europe.
His Kayak4Earth trip is aimed at highlighting the connection between chaotic climate events such as Hurricane Katrina, Superstorm Sandy, Canberra firestorms, UK flooding and French droughts.
He will travel approximately 8000kms paddling and dragging his wheeled kayak to deliver a message on behalf of all Australians to the rest of the world – we want to fight global warming.
After the Lismore engagement, Mr Posselt will depart Engineering House in Canberra on Thursday 15 January.
From there he drags his kayak to Port Kembla on foot and then paddles up the coast via Wollongong to Sydney, arriving at the Opera House at mid-day on 31 January.
He will be greeted by former Greens leader Bob Brown and numerous other well-wishers.
From Sydney, the adventurer will board a plane to the Gulf of Mexico where he paddles north up the Mississippi, up the Illinois, through the Great Lakes and all the way to the sea at the top of Canada.
He then flies to the United Kingdom where he will paddle across the UK including the Thames, across the English Channel and up the Seine to Paris for the UN Climate Summit in November, 2015.
‘I hope to represent all Australians who feel angered and dissatisfied by our government’s inaction around climate change,’ he said.
‘Like so many people, I want deep emission cuts and a commitment from Canberra to treat the warming of the earth as the gravely important issue that it is.
‘We know we are the worst emitters of CO2 per capita, and we know that we are the largest coal exporter in the world.
‘I want to represent all Australians , who want to accept our responsibility to make change, and do whatever it takes to contribute positively to the fight against global warming.’
For further information about Steve Posselt and Connecting Climate Chaos, visit www.kayak4earth.com
