Cycling parade for the climate in Exeter

Cyclists joined Alternatiba Exeter’s cycle parade though Exeter on Saturday the 31st of October.

Cycling with colourful flags representing the beauty of our natural world they were raising awareness about the Alternatiba Festival which is happening on the 21st November and the importance of the climate change talks happening in Paris later this year.

Climate change is having huge implications on many societies across the world, through rising sea levels and increases in disastrous weather – it is one of the biggest challenges of our time. On 30th November 2015, countries deemed as major carbon emitters will meet in Paris for COP21 to come to an agreement on reducing those carbon emissions. The world over, people are finding ways to put pressure on their political representatives to come to a realistic deal at these talks and try to curb runaway climate change and save the human race from causing its own extinction.

Alternatiba Exeter organising committee member Gillian Baker told us: “The cycle parade is just one of many events here in Exeter leading up to the climate talks in Paris, which illustrate the gravity of the situation and highlight the importance that world leaders come to a realistic consensus. But we cannot rely solely on world leaders setting emission targets – this is only one part of the solution. Every one of us must change our habits to compensate for our global overconsumption. But change can be very difficult, especially if we do not know what options there are to change to. That’s where Alternatiba Exeter comes in.”

Alternatiba Exeter is a celebratory day-long festival on 21st November which shows participants various alternative ways of living – and showcases specific Exeter-based groups and businesses which are already leading the way to changing our day-to-day lives to compensate for climate change. The festival will take place at various venues across Exeter, weaving a “village of alternatives” into the fabric of the city. Venues include: the Corn Exchange, St Stephen’s Church and Southernhay URC Church.

At the Southern URC Hall there will an alternative xmas market with local goods. Everyone can contribute to reducing our carbon footprint by simple decisions, such as what they buy. Buying local produce not all reduces your carbon footprint it also supports the local economy and builds community. Alternatiba member Gillian Baker urges everyone to pop by to buy at least one christmas present from the Alternatiba Festival to show their commitment to a more sustainable Exeter. There will also be opportunities to get involved in community initiatives from becoming a member of an organic farm community trust to investing in community solar.

‘Alternatiba’ is an international network of festivals showcasing practical alternative solutions to the global crisis. The first one was held two years ago in Bayonne in the South-East of France and there are now more than a 100 of Alternatibas across the world. Alternatiba Exeter is the second one to be held in the UK after Todmorden in Yorkshire. Visit alternatiba.eu/en to find out more about the movement.

Website: www.alternatiba.eu/exeter
Email: exeter@alternatiba.eu
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/AlternatibaExeter
Crowdfund page: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/AlternatibaExeter