Globally we are experiencing a shocking rate of forest loss. At the rate logging, charcoal production, slash and burn farming and monoculture are going Zambia will be completely denuded within 15 years. This area of South Central Africa is a biodiversity hotspot and under threat of losing an incredible wealth of plant and animal species.
To raise awareness for Zambia, and global deforestation in general, I plan on cycling 3000 km solo from Cape Town , South Africa to Livingstone, Zambia to attend a reforestation festival hosted by the non profit organisation, Greenpop. At the Zambia festival of action in June/July volunteers from around the world will join with the local community and schools in an exciting, educational 3 week festival where thousands of trees will be planted, hands will get dirty and ideas about a sustainable future will be shared.
We need so little to live and be truly happy and I want prove this by cycling with minimal gear and comforts. The majority of my nights will be spent camping along the roadside listening to the sounds of the African bush as I pass through remote areas of South Africa, Namibia and Botswana where I look forward to some frightening, but hopefully friendly encounters with wild animals, and no doubt heart warming experiences with the local people. My experiences will be documented almost as they occur and will appear on my website: www.return2earth.org
I believe we need to start being more conscious of how live, and how the decisions we make regarding what we consume and discard affects our environment. We impulsively buy items that we have been convinced are necessary to our survival, comfort and happiness, but in fact serve only to complicate our lives and estrange us to the natural cycles and laws of nature. We are losing touch with our planet, making it easier to disregard the damage we are doing,
By embarking on this adventure I hope to attract large media coverage, and thereby bring to public attention the environmental concerns of our time – particularly the shocking rate at which we are losing our forests. I have already acquired sponsorship from 3 gear and equipment companies and have features in 2 of the local newspapers. Help me further my message by donating trees to be planted at the Zambia Festival of Action and donating operating funds for my journey across Africa. If you wish to donate directly to Greenpop so that every cent goes directly to the purchasing of trees then please visit my givengain campaign https://www.givengain.com/activist/129032/projects/12263/
Each tree costs only $12 and the GPS coordinates will be given to the donor on a certificate. If you wish to donate operating funds so that I can afford to spread my message and make the trip toZambia then please donate here. I am also selling my prized possession - my vehicle to fund this trip.
For more information about Greenpop, the non profit organisation I am representing, please visit greenpop.org or check my website www.return2earth.org
Who am I?
I am a passionate lover of nature and the outdoors and spend my days wondering off into the woods when I'm not at sea captaining yachts. I have a profound respect for those cultures that inhabit remote areas of the world and practice ancient skills and are privy to a wealth of knowledge that will be lost with the forests and wildernesses if we continue along this destructive trajectory. My heart goes out to these beautiful people and places and feel that if we loose these we have lost the very soul of our world. For me this is the beginning of many journeys to come to awaken positive change.
If you are unable to donate, I ask that you share this with as many people as possible!