Run for a Safe Climate

Running through Portland Wind Farm

Ballarat 15-25°C

Storms and Showers.

Yesterday’s run included a visit to the Portland Wind Farm where we learned that one turbine can power 1000 homes. Today we’re running a nice 200km to the city that started the Gold Rush, Ballarat. Over the past couple of years, the Ballarat region has suffered a major decrease in average annual rainfall with falls averaging as low as 400 mm (16 in) per year since 2001. So we’re going to run around Lake Wendouree with the local community to highlight the drying up of some our most precious ecosystems. We’re very excited Steve Moneghetti will be joining us to run through his town. Come on down and do a lap with us too!

Afterward we’re heading to Ballarat Grammar for a community engagement event to learn more about fire affected communities and how we can all be better prepared for future threats and climate change effects. We’ll also be listening to how Ballarat is rising to meet the challenge of global warming so we’d love to hear how you’re coping in our changing climate. Also, we’ve been doing a little bit of research on recycled water, we’d love to hear what you think about that.

Happy Running!

Yesterday visited the beautiful Blue Lake at Mount Gambier

Apollo Bay 14-21°C

Thunderstorms.

Weren’t we devastated when the London Bridge collapsed and became the London Arc? A sad, sad, day for all. We’re not actually talking about London Bridge in the UK but the old London Bridge made of stone that was part of the Twelve Apostles along the Great Ocean Road. In 1990, two tourists became stuck when the bridge part of the rock collapsed, leaving the tourist stranded on the arch before a helicopter had to save them!

It’s fairly safe to say that this accident was caused by erosion. But now onto our run. We’re chugging along 266km to Apollo Bay after yesterday visit to the stunning Blue Lake in Mount Gambier. Today’s focus will be on wind power and the impacts of global warming on Apollo Bay itself as well as the Otway Ranges and the Great Ocean Road.

On the way, we’ll be stopping off at the Codrington Wind Farm to chat to Lane Crockett from Pacific Hydro and then onto Apollo Bay where we’ll be meeting with Deakin University Professor John Sherwood who’ll present on the impacts of climate change on the Otway and Great Ocean Road communities. Some hot topics in this area are rising sea levels, erosion, fire risk in the Otways and the threat of global warming on the region tourist economy. Come on down and share your thoughts, we’d love to hear.

Happy Running

Paul Ovenden first joined the Run at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair for the Sydney to Canberra stretch before coming back for the Albury to Portland leg.

Paul’s first impressions of the Run were the camaraderie and the long days.

He has a lot of admiration for the runners, having been in Victoria during the Black Saturday fires which some of the runners had the job of attending.

“The runners are up at 6am to run; they then travel hundreds of kilometers, run again, and in the evenings they attend public events and media calls. I don’t know how they get up in the morning!” he said.

Born in Southwell, just outside Nottingham, England, Paul has been a photographer since 1998 in Sydney and London. He emigrated to Sydney in 1991, and went back to London for a couple of years before settling in Melbourne last year.

“During my time on the Run, I want to capture as much of the story of the Run as I can with my camera, both from the personal point of view of the runners and for its promotion on the Run website. I see my job as recording their adventures, as they are not in a position to do it for themselves,” he said.

Paul views the Run as an education process, creating awareness of climate change within communities and so far, he has found the experience of witnessing community engagement the most rewarding aspect.

“It fascinates me to hear the runners speak to communities about how they can make a difference and why they are running – for their children and their children’s children. I hope the Run continues to heighten my own awareness of the devastating effect of climate change on the Australian landscape. I am glad I can be part of the team for such a worthy cause.”

He also marvels at the huge logistical task of keeping the month-long event on the road all the way to the finish line Melbourne, where he will rejoin for the final leg from Kinglake to St Kilda.

If you would like to sponsor the runners or simply make a donation, please visit the Sponsor section on our website. You can also check for regular updates on our Facebook Fan page or follow us on Twitter.

Happy running!

Running where Coorong wetlands once stood

Portland 12-24°C

Morning clouds. Mild

After a nice little rest exploring Robe and Coorong, we’re off on 244km to the ‘Garden State’ otherwise known as Victoria (and home), the last state we visit in our 27 day run down Australia. We’ll be focusing on the potential for wind to contribute to Australia’s energy future. The turbines really aren’t that ugly. We’ll also be learning about the impacts of global warming on the productivity of the Southern Ocean, particular what ocean acidification has done to whale populations and krill fisheries.

We’ve learnt so much about Australia’s environment and the effects on it from climate change. I think one of the most important thing we’re taking away from the run is that most ecological things are connected and that if climate change affects one aspects of the ecology, then that will have a knock-on effect onto another, and then to another etc, kind of like how Mufasa explained ‘The Circle of Life’ in Lion King. It makes climate change an increasingly important issue to address, particularly what we as individuals, can do plenty of things to slow it down and prevent it.

We should be arriving in Portland at around 1:30pm to meet kids from local schools. We’ll be making a sign for climate change by the beach so come on down! Afterwards, we’re meeting with Lane Crockett from Pacific Hydro and whale scientist Dr Peter Gill at Reception Room of Glenelg Shire Council for a Community Engagement Forum. We hope to see you there to share your views on renewable energy sources and saving the whales (No Isabel Lucas unfortunately).

Happy Running!

Let’s get to know one of two Country Fire Authority (CFA) reps on the run, leading Firefighter Jimmy Wong from Boronia Fire Station.

How do you psyche yourself up before a run?

Think about the finish and how good it feels to finish. I can relive in my mind all the good and bad experiences from the run.

Name your top 5 running songs on your playlist

“Walk the Line” – Johnny Cash

“Mr Jones” – Counting Crows

“Driver” – Motor Ace

“Ring of Fire” – Johnny Cash

“Jackson” – Johnny Cash and June Carter

How do you maintain focus while running?

Picking a point ahead of me and running towards it – or trying to catch a Maui and not getting left behind.

Cotton or Lycra?

No lycra! …. Especially not red lycra.

What is a simple action that we can do now to address climate change?

We can all do our bit no matter how minor it is starting with using less power and water and measuring and reducing our carbon footprint. See the Climate Positive website (www.climatepositive.org) for how to do this.

If you had the ability to change the world, what would be the first thing you’d do?

Reverse the impacts of climate change to make it, globally, a safe climate for communities all over the world.

Who would be your ultimate running partner?

My wife Freya because that’s what we do together all the time.

Powerade, Gatorade or Water?

Water.

What meal would you love to have ready for you at the end of the 6000km?

Anything. Eating’s one of my other hobbies.

5 words to describe your reason to run

Be part of the solution

What’s your best excuse for getting out of exercise?

I’m hungry and have to eat – or trying to beat Dan (Condon) to the food

Proudest moment?

Seeing the first, 3D image of my unborn child, which is growing at about 1cm a week, six weeks ago.

Car, bike or public transport?

Running!

How has climate change affected you?

With work, it’s made conditions drier and hotter and fires more intense. With recreation, I’ve seen a change in alpine snow conditions in Australia and abroad (Japan, New Zealand, and the Himalayas), from predictable snow and ice conditions to receding glaciers and increased snow melt.

How do you cool down after a run?

Take my sweaty socks and shoes off, stretch and eat anything I can find.

What will you miss while you’re away on the run?

I will miss my wife and her excellent cooking, particularly her choc-berry muffins. She made me some and I left them at home! Doh!

Shoe size?

9.5

Any bad habits your team mates should be warned about?

Eating any food that’s left over.

What place are you most looking forward to visiting?

Codrington – for the wind farms

If you would like to sponsor Jimmy and the other runners or simply make a donation, please visit the Sponsor section on our website. You can also check for regular updates on our Facebook Fan page or follow us on Twitter.

Happy running!

Dan being interviewed by WIN TV in Loxton, SA

Robe 13-22°C

Mostly sunny

Now we’re off and racing from Adelaide to Robe, a historic port which is now a popular holiday destination located 338 km south east of Adelaide on Guichen Bay. Today’s focus while on our 250km trek to rest is Coorong and the area of the lower Murray wetlands and how acidification of the wetlands is seriously threatening the ecology of the area.

We’ll be finishing up this leg at Robe’s War Memorial then meeting South Australian Water Commisioner Robyn Macleod as well as ‘Stormboy’ Greg Rowe. Ahh the memories of that film (and book). Too bad we don’t get to meet Mr Percival (that’s the pelican for those unlucky enough not to have seen the film as a little one). Tonight we can rest up a bit so perhaps we’ll be checking out Robe’s awesome Long Beach, a 17km strip of sandy bliss where we can soak our exhausted feet and come down off the adrenalin high we’ve been running on (s’cuse the pun) for the past 22 days!

PS. -  And a big THANK YOU to Shane Noll for swinging by … er … well, almost! Go Roger!

Check it out!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cV5xZ_2NfSU

Happy Running!

When this Victorian Police officer isn’t kicking back in the Maui van, Kemal Brkic is running 6000km for a safe climate. Let’s get to know him a little better.

How do you psyche yourself up before a run?

I don’t

How do you maintain focus while running?

I do not think of much

Cotton or Lycra?

Both, Cotton and Lycra

What is a simple action that we can do now to address climate change?

Tell everyone how we can do it

If you had the ability to change the world, what would be the first thing you’d do?

Remove ignorance, violence, fear, cruelty, replace with kindness, love, peace, patience.

Who would be your ultimate running partner?

My team mates (the custodians)

Powerade, Gatorade or Water?

Cold water

What meal would you love to have ready for you at the end of the 6000km?

Lamb spit

5 words to describe your reason to run

Challenge, purpose, experience, mateship, see the country

What’s your best excuse of getting out of exercise?

I’m mentally fit

Proudest moment?

Birth of my children

Car, bike or public transport?

Prefer to walk when I can

How has climate change affected you?

It’s terribly sad, especially knowing nature has plenty sustainable energy to offer humans around the world yest we don’t use it.

How do you cool down after a run?

Collapse

What will you miss while you’re away on the run?

Family

Shoe size?

12

Any bad habits your team mates should be warned about?

I stare =D

What place are you most looking forward to visiting?

Untouched areas without street lights so I can see millions of stars

If you would like to sponsor Kemal and the other runners or simply make a donation, please visit the Sponsor section on our website. You can also check for regular updates on our Facebook Fan page or follow us on Twitter.

Happy running!

Photo by Rikx

Adelaide 13-23°C

Fine, Mostly Sunny

A new day and another state. Today we hit South Australia. First stop: the city of churches, Adelaide. Also home to some of the country’s best festivals. Today it’s a meager 450km from Mildura to Adelaide with the focus being on the impacts of climate change on the lower Murray River as well as its impacts on the ecology of the lower lakes region.

We like that fact that Adelaide stands out from the other cities through its grace and un-pretentiousness. Also, it’s the finishing line for The Great Solar Challenge, a 20 year-old solar powered car race that covers 3021 km from Darwin (cue puffing out of chests knowing that we will run almost double that distance).

We’re running into Adelaide and you can meet the runners from 5pm at the National Australia Banks, 22 King William Street, Adelaide.

Happy Running!

Firemen, firemen … everywhere!! Let’s get to know another one of the Melbourne firey’s on the run – Greg Cotterill.

How do you psyche yourself up before a run?

Eating

Name your top 5 running songs on your playlist

Running on Empty. I do not have a playlist or listen to music while running.

How do you maintain focus while running?

Left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot

Cotton or Lycra?

Fluoro spandex

What is a simple action that we can do now to address climate change?

Become educated to the facts

If you had the ability to change the world, what would be the first thing you’d do?

Join the league of superheroes union

Who would be your ultimate running partner?

Anyone who is not faster than me

Powerade, Gatorade or Water?

H20

What meal would you love to have ready for you at the end of the 6000km?

Lamp Roast

5 words to describe your reason to run

To be part of a change (oops that’s six)

What’s your best excuse of getting out of exercise?

There is no excuse

Proudest moment?

The time I felt really proud

Car, bike or public transport?

Combination

How has climate change affected you?

More extreme working conditions

How do you cool down after a run?

Swedish ice bath

What will you miss while you’re away on the run?

My own bed

Shoe size?

12

What place are you most looking forward to visiting?

Noosa, Tom Groggin Station

If you would like to sponsor Greg and the other runners or simply make a donation, please visit the Sponsor section on our website. You can also check for regular updates on our Facebook Fan page or follow us on Twitter.

Happy running!

Stifling heat at Yarrawonga

Mildura 19-26°C

Rain. Mostly cloudy. Warm

It’s onward and upward as we brace ourselves for the longest route we’re running all month, a whopping 480km from Barmah to Mildura, the town known as the centre of Victoria’s ‘Food Bowl.’ The heat out here has been stifling with no cool sea breeze our mountain air to cool things down. And the flies!! The flies are relentless.

Today’s focus is on the Murray River, what is at risk at as well as possible solutions to save the iconic river. With changes to the water supply and river flow, food security becomes a problem and the ecological impacts of water shortages in the area put the agricultural industries at risk as well. This is the food that we buy at our local supermarkets!

The upshot is that Mildura has an excellent grid giving it a fantastic opportunity to become a solar power hub for Australia (it has an average 122 clear days per year so the sunshine is good shine!). It also has great potential to become a place for carbon draw-down through soil carbon … locking up carbon in soils which means it’s out of the atmosphere and reducing global warming.

We’re coming into town by the Ornamental Lakes then you’re all welcome to run with us to the South Mildura Footy Club from 6pm to wind up the longest leg of this year’s run.

After we’ve recuperated a bit, we’re off to a community forum at the Mildura Function Centre that will be headed by Anne Mansell & Glenn Milne, Mildura Development Corporation who will talk about Mildura as a clean energy hub. We’ll also hear from Safe Climate Australia CEO Brendan Condon. So come on down if you’re in Sunraysia.

Happy running!