The reality is that at the rate we are going with carbon emissions, particularly in this country, we are doomed to destruction unless some sort of action is taken.

In South Africa the average person is probably aware of 'global warming', but doesn’t really care to do anything about it (why bother until it affects him directly, adversely?).

This is why Rob Zipplies, well-known sustainability expert and editor of Bending the Curve, in partnership with Project 90 by 2030 will journey 3000 km on an electric bicycle to raise awareness ahead of the climate change conference in Copenhagen.

Rob’s Climate Challenge 2009 journey will start in Cape Town and end in Durban, via Johannesburg and Pretoria. Along the way, he'll give public presentations in 12 cities, to raise awareness and to challenge South Africans to reduce personal carbon emissions so that we create a low-carbon society and adapt to climatic changes that have already begun to occur.

Rob and his team will leave Cape Town on November 6th and will complete the Challenge in Durban on December 5th - two days before the Copenhagen climate negotiations start.

When the Challenge comes to Pretoria on Saturday the 28th of November, a large number of cyclists are gathering after the presentation to ride to the Union Buildings to hand over a pledge of action to Jacob Zuma. He will also be asked to add his name to the pledge.

The Challenge will also be making exclusive use of the eZee bike; an electric bicycle that aside from looking like a standard bike, is fitted with a state of the art electric motor, battery and controller system.

The use of the bike adds flair to the Challenge, and aside from providing a sense of novelty to the event, something a normal car drive would never be able to accomplish, is also “green” as it cuts out all the pollution that driving the 3000 km would cause.

Attend the talks that Rob is going to give at his presentations along the way, and you'll stand in line for huge discounts on the eZee.

At each of the twelve stops along the Challenge route, local celebrities, various clubs and local environmentally-related exhibitors will team up with Rob and the Challenge team.

The cities at which the Challenge will stop: Stellenbosch, Worcester, Oudtshoorn, George, Port Elizabeth, Grahamstown, Bloemfontein, Vereeniging, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Pietermaritzburg and Durban.

If you want to attend, please register at the Project 90 by 2030 website or add your name to the pledge.

Remember that this pledge will be seen by the president. If you truly want to make a difference make sure your name is on it.

pic: bikeradar.com