Join In

The Zero Carbon Caravan (ZCC) will generate a mass movement of individuals and organisations to carry the message of action on climate change to the UNFCCC talks in Copenhagen (2009).

First, the ZCC will lead by example, as a group of communicators and campaigners making their way to Copenhagen without using fossil fuel transportation. Along the route they will connect with local groups to establish an itinerary of ‘zero carbon conferences’ to build momentum for zero carbon awareness, demonstrating solutions such as renewable energy through zero carbon concerts, with electricity generated mainly by bicycle-power.

Second, the ZCC will act as a coordinating hub for other ‘caravanning’ groups, who will all convene in Copenhagen. There we will organise a final zero carbon concert, with a high-profile media presence, including radio/internet broadcasts, encouraging worldwide participation to demand of the UNFCCC our mission: ‘A zero carbon world, as fast as we can’.

We are in our early stages, with plenty to do! But if you want to get involved in any way at all, either for the whole journey, for just a few hours, or by helping organise events along the way, please get in touch with ZCC organiser, Chris Keene:

chris.keene@zerocarboncaravan.net

What you can do

JOIN A CARAVAN

More and more people are realising the urgency of our situation and are deciding to take action. People are planning caravans starting in Scotland (contact Eva Schonveld) , Ireland (contact Isabelle Sutton), Wales (contact Irene Willis), and Spain(contact Duncan Crowley). One will cross the North Sea to Belgium on the Keewaydin and will be joined by a velomobile in Belgium then cycle up to Copenhagen through Holland and Germany. For Belgium and Holland contact Johan Goossens and for Germany contact Peter Vogelsanger. Look at the map on our website showing the caravan routes to see if you could join in. And remember it’s a relay, so you don’t have to go all the way.

SEND INFORMATION ON CUTTING CARBON

Everywhere the caravans pass they will be collecting information about how the world can become zero carbon, uploading this to our website, and carrying the message onwards to Copenhagen, so that we will arrive and be able to demand a zero carbon world, and to present the negotiators with the means of achieving it, so they have no excuse to deny us.

Even if you don’t manage to join in or host a caravan yourself, you can send us the information about your activities in cutting carbon for our website (email chris.keene@zerocarboncaravan.net).

START A CARAVAN YOURSELF

The more caravans there are the better, because each one will spread the message of the urgency of action against climate change, and each one will add to the pressure on governments for an effective deal at Copenhagen.

Everywhere people are keen to join in, so why not host or even start a caravan in your own area and let the world know what *your* community is doing in the fight against climate change? We now have a map on our website www.zerocarboncaravan.net. You could use it to see what’s happening in your area, and perhaps offer some help with organising media, food, accommodation, and events in your area for any caravans travelling through.

HOST A CARAVAN

Even if you don’t travel, you can still play a vital role, by hosting a caravan as it passes through your area. What we are asking of hosts is that they provide:

  • Accommodation - preferably free, although we could pay a small fee. It could be in your house (for one or two of us) or you could help us by finding a church or village hall, scout hut, or, if none of these are available, a campsite (we won't necessarily be carrying tents). Accommodation is our most urgent requirement.
  • Laundry facilities - or directions to a launderette in your town.
  • Food - preferably organic as the whole point of the ZCC is to promote the solutions to climate change, and we are hoping people will make links with local organic suppliers on the way so that we will boost their business with the publicity we will give them (hopefully we will get it a bit cheaper this way - maybe even free).  Travellers on the caravan will also be likely to be vegetarian/vegan.
  • Publicity - in the media and with local people.
  • A public meeting - in the afternoon or evening (and/or a zero carbon concert - i.e. one that uses no fossil fuel electricity (acoustic, or using renewable electricity)
  • An event or notable landmark - We will be filming throughout the whole journey so any visual aids would be welcome.
  • Participants - even if they are only cycling on to the next town in the caravan's journey.
  • WORK ON OUR WEBSITE

    We need people to help with providing material for our website – on the climate science showing how urgent is the need for zero carbon emissions, and the way we can get there, by lifestyle change, energy efficiency and renewables.

    To find out how to help email chris.keene@zerocarboncaravan.net

    CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY

    If the Zero Carbon Caravan is to make the major impact it needs to if we are to avert abrupt climate change, we will need a lot of publicity, so money for computers, video cameras, datasticks, filming and web hosting is vital. In addition we will need some money for yachts – although the Keewaydin are not charging us, we will need money for such things as harbour fees.

    The simplest way to donate is to send a cheque payable to THE ZERO CARBON CARAVAN to Chris Keene, Coordinator, Zero Carbon Caravan, 33 Dell Crescent, Norwich NR5 8QB, but you could also arrange benefit events, get sponsored, or set up a standing order.

    Benefit screenings of The Age of Stupid

    The Age of Stupid www.ageofstupid.net is a brilliant and very moving film about the extinction of humanity by climate change. It has been showing around the country, and from May 22nd any group will be able to organise a screening, just paying a small fee (about £50) for doing so. So get in touch by emailing chris.keene@zerocarboncaravan.net if you would like to organise a screening to raise money for the Zero Carbon Caravan.

    Sponsorship

    Why not get sponsored for going on the Zero Carbon Caravan? We will shortly be putting a downloadable sponsorship form on our website

    Standing orders

    Standing orders are a great way of providing us with a steady, dependable income, and a lot of people donating a small sum (just £2 a month, but more if you can afford it) can really make a difference. The details of our bank account are - account name THE ZERO CARBON CARAVAN, Sort Code 070093, Bank Account 33333334 (that’s seven ‘3’s followed by a 4!); Account Number/Reference 1389/703 974 988

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