Ride 350, by design, is a creative way to get a talented group of friends together on an unforgettable adventure for a cause. The Ride will inspire the participants and the communities they pass through to take action - on October 24th and beyond - to combat climate change. Much like the International Day of Action, our Ride 350 team is made up of a collection of dynamic individuals, working together and independently, today and in the weeks to come, to affect positive change in the world.
A new edition to the Ride 350 blog is the introduction of our dedicated team members. The Rider Profiles section will highlight the unique individuals that have committed their time and energy to this endeavor. They truly are an impressive group.
Rider Profile: Jaime aka Mr. Rogers
Name: James Rogers
Age: 31
City: San Francisco, CA by way of Cleveland, OH
Bicycle of choice: 1970’s Schwinn WorldSport when riding around the city and my new Taylor when riding for Ride350. Both solid steel frames.
When "working": I like to wear lots of hats, both figuratively and literally. I spent my summer interning at the City of Berkeley’s Office of Economic and Sustainable Development. A great experience that I wish I could devote more time to. I am also an agent with Green Key Real Estate, San Francisco’s first sustainable real estate company and most recently I have been working for Green Property Solutions, a startup consulting firm with a focus on small to medium sized businesses and commercial property owners. On top of all that I am also a student at Presidio Graduate School (recently changed from Presidio School of Management) with the intent on getting an MBA in Sustainable Management by the end of next year.
When doing the other things in life: I grew up going to an island off the coast of Maine (and still go there), one of the most beautiful places in the world. I also learned backpacking/survival skills at a relatively intense camp as a kid so I think these both combined to give me a true appreciation of the outdoors. I like to hike, mountain bike, road bike, snowboard, surf, and play with Bella at the park. If I’m not outside I enjoy socializing and cooking with friends, reading up on some quazi-intellectual politics so I can sound cool with my hipster friends, or discussing issues related to sustainability.
The climate change issue that resonates most with James: I have often trended towards the environmental side of sustainability (versus the social aspect) but I now realize they are one in the same. I used to worry a lot about the survival of the planet but looking at the earth’s history from a geological perspective, I am convinced that the earth will live on, it’s just a matter of whether or not we will continue with it and how many other species we will kill in our wake. The earth is one giant system and disrupting any part of it will eventually cause repercussions everywhere. I find it very unfortunate that those repercussions are often concentrated in areas where some of the poorest of the poor live and they have to suffer because of the actions of the richest nations. Shame on us!
Why working to educate people about climate change is important to James:Climate change is an issue that can be looked at through many different lenses. We must act now if we are to reduce the effect of human activity but this is also a wonderful time with huge opportunities. As a global community, we need to become more in touch with our surroundings and learn how to live off the current sun instead of digging up energy from old sun. The day we are able to live in a truly sustainable manner will be a great accomplishment for mankind.
Rider Profile: Hooker
Name: Jesse Hooker (brother of Alex)
Age: 29
City: Brooklyn NY
Bicycle of Choice: Pake fixed gear for the streets, Surly LHT for the road
When working: Owner of
Hooker Design/Build I specialize in custom wooden furniture using materials reclaimed from buildings in NYC.
When not working: I blow off a lot of steam on the fixie commuting and canvasing Brooklyn for reclaimed materials. Following in my brothers footsteps, I just finished building a Chesapeake 17LT kayak which I paddle NYC's waterways.
Climate change issue: Has to be lowering emissions, vehicular and industrial. Many mornings I come bombing down off the Williamsburg bridge into 4 lanes of Manhattan-bound cars, trucks, and vans and ride with/behind them sucking exhaust for 5 miles, meet with a client, hop back on the bike, ride back to the bridge, where traffic is stalled and the emissions are visible, and then return to my shop in an industrial section of brooklyn, where I still can't figure out WHAT that smell in the air is! Well, I actually did figured out what is was two days ago, a construction company who's tar truck for repairing roads burns the goo 24/7. This is not, can not be good!
Why educating is good: I don't think the question is why, but how we educate. Unfortunately many people don't think about larger climate issues or local quality of life issues when they are hustling to make a living. Maslow's heirarchy of needs. But there is tons of talk and debate today about the financial health of future generations. I believe the two issues go hand in hand, and should be capitalized on in educating people about climate change. Raising awareness is a small but crucial first step.
Rider Profile: el Jeffe
Name: Jeffrey Blumenthal
Age: 31
City: San Francisco
Bicycle of choice: Wally The Albatross. I built him up from an old Specialized Allez carbon frame, rescued from a pawn shop, for the purpose of riding from San Francisco to Los Angeles in the 2008 AIDS/Lifecycle. He’s decorated with personalized decals that I made to represent people who helped me meet my fund raising goal for the ride. There's still some space left on the bike if you want to be an official Ride350 sponsor...
When "working": I work on two causes (which overlap in many ways) – one is renewable energy and the other is bicycles. For part of the week, I help the Local Clean Energy Alliance rally public support for ambitious carbon emissions reduction targets and community-based energy efficiency programs. On other days, I do online marketing for Rock The Bike, a Bay Area business that is demonstrating the unlimited potential of bicycles to transform our daily lives, from hauling cargo to making music.
When doing the other things in life: I recently started practicing Aikido at San Francisco Aikikai, which should come in handy if I fall off my bike and need to tumble properly. I recently peeled fresh tomatoes for the first time by blanching them and then sliding the skins off. It was a very rewarding experience -- the resulting pasta sauce was incredibly sweet, and I hope to do more of it in the future. I am a big fan of the Bicycle Kitchen, and I go there to keep my city bike in shape. I spend a lot of time on my computer looking for full-time employment and professional degree programs. Recently, I have been winning a lot of free stuff, including: 2 sets of movie passes, one set of concert tickets, and, most recently, a signed copy of the excellent and soon-to-be-released "true-crime memoir," The Adderall Diaries, by Stephen Elliott.
The climate change issue that resonates most with Jeffrey: Climate Change excites me, and not because I have investments in Siberian broccoli farms. Rather, the adaptations we must undergo to transition to a low-carbon society hold tremendous potential to change people's lives for the better. Mitigating global warming will require a comprehensive set of progressive changes, such as: the creation of thousands of new jobs in sectors that barely exist yet; investment in strong, safe, self-supporting communities; better land and water management practices; maybe even greater exploration of space...
Addressing climate change means giving birth to a whole new economy, one based on collectivity and long-term outcomes instead of individualism and boom-and-bust myopia.
Why working to educate people about climate change is important to Jeffrey: Educating people about climate change is important because nobody likes to be told what to do. The IPCC can issue reports on sea level rise until, well, sea levels rise. In the meantime, people won't demand action until they realize that what's good for the environment (e.g. the atmosphere) is also good for them (e.g. their pocket book). Hence, the need for education.
By the way: Safeway makes the best chocolate chip cookies outside of grandma's kitchen.
Rider Profile: Amelia
Name: Amelia Spilger
Age: 27
City: Sausalito
Bicycle of choice: My Bianchi Eros - steel frame and sea foam green
When"working": I work for Marin Farmers Markets, a non-profit organization that runs 8 farmers markets in the Bay Area. I have the great pleasure of bringing local farmers and communities together to share delicious food, good conversation, and gratitude. I've worn many hats, from spearheading our green initiatives to managing markets to sharing the stories of our farmers via our educational advertising campaign. The local food movement encompasses many passions for me. It's exciting to witness something as simple as a farmers market positively influence public health, local economies, our natural environment, and our sense of community.
The past year I've also been having fun moonlighting as a writer. Projects have included educational displays for green buildings, first generation farmer profiles for the Greenhorns, and The North Bay Farmers Market Cookbook.
When doing the other things in life: I savor the experiences that grounds me in the moment - being outside, traveling, cooking, singing with Alex, a meaningful conversation, laughter. I enjoy spinning miles on my bike, trail running, playing guitar and exploring rivers, and swimming in the ocean.
The climate change issue that resonates most with Amelia: The interconnectedness and the complexity of climate change hits home for me. This will affect all 7 billion of us. We will need more than quick fix band-aid solutions. We need billions of people energizing millions of movements that are focused on addressing both the consequences and the root causes of climate change. The good news is that these movements are happening - we just need more synergy and more public consciousness.
Why working to educate people about climate change is important to Amelia: There are no others. This is our great opportunity and it's an exciting time to be alive.
Rider Profile: Ollie
Name: Oliver Dameron
Age: 31
City: San Francisco, CA
Bicycle of choice: 1982 Trek, Steel Thoroughbred
When "working": I just finished my MBA in Sustainable Business from the Presidio School of Management and am currently the Director of Research for a startup photovoltaic company as well as a responsible investment research analyst.
When doing the other things in life: Get me outside and I’ll pretty much do anything you tell me to. Though I spend my days attached to a computer, I am an avid lover of all things nature. Backpacking, snowboarding, surfing, biking…I’m in. Also, I enjoy great friends and food, especially when they come as a package deal.
The climate change issue that resonates most with Oliver: I can’t claim to identify with any climate change issue any more than another. What I think is so fascinating about climate change is the interconnectedness of a plethora of systems. It doesn’t really work to think about climate change issues separately because none of these issues functions independently. Environmental conservation, environmental justice, the creation of employment opportunities, the health of our global, national, and local economies…in the long run, these are inseparable. We all need to become systems thinkers. Check out the writings of the belated Donella Meadows if you haven’t already.
Why working to educate people about climate change is important to Oliver:We’re all in this together. Climate change is the first truly global societal issue in the history of mankind. Its effects will touch us all – no one can opt out. That we are all physically connected to the functioning of this planet necessarily means that we should all be connecting to create solutions. It is utterly scary and strangely exciting at the same time. Ideally we will see farmers in Iowa, Greenpeace activists, and Wall Street stockbrokers collaborating to create solutions.
Rider Profile: Jules
Name: Julie Dery
Age: 27
City: Portland, OR
Bicycle of choice: Usually my ’07 single-speed Kona Paddy Wagon...But many thanks to my friend, Jeff Dill, I have become the gracious guardian of a ’94 Bianchi Axis for the next 4-5 months!
When “working”: I’m a freelance Graphic Designer, specializing in brand identity. I also work as an Art-Program Consultant, helping company’s start or build an artist network to create one-of-a-kind or limited edition designs for their company’s product.
I’m also currently going back to school for Graphic Design.
When doing the other things in life: The plan is simple these days…Soak up all the Portland sunshine I can, while surrounded by my family of friends. Coffee shops + running + biking + swimming by day…Happy Hours + bbq’s + concerts by night. And, admittedly I do spend a lot of time geeking out over cool logos and street art outside of “work”.
The climate change issue that resonates most with Jules: I cannot pin point one issue; every issue affects all humans and nature. Nobody escapes. I think education is the best place to start, but it has to be more than that. Taking the knowledge and actually implementing change in our daily lives is essential. Too often I put my own convenience over the environment. We all can do so much more. The permanent damage we’ve caused is irreversible, but we don’t have to continue our mistakes. How do we spread the word on a broader scale across the world? …For me, Ride 350 is a good place to start.
“A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead.
Why working to educate people about climate change is important to Jules: Education is empowering. I still have a lot to learn and will start there. Knowledge is not enough though. We have created huge problems and we need to create huge change, in our daily lives and the laws and policies that govern our lives. Ride 350 is a small start in my commitment to educate myself, spread the word and do more in my own life…thank you for the opportunity. Ride on…
Rider Profile: Adam
Name: Adam Taylor
Age: 30
City: San Francisco
Bicycle of choice: Jamis Quest steel frame speedster to keep up with the Ride 350 Team. $10 ten-speed, the beloved Fuji Club Fuji for dodging potholes and cruising around town.
When "working": I work for Swinerton, an employee-owned, San Francisco-based general contractor that opened doors for business in 1888. In my current role, I work on the cubicle side of various construction projects that are fast-paced, challenging, and a whole lot of fun. You know how the better you get at something, like, say carpentry, the less of it you end up doing in your work? That didn’t happen in my case. I was thankfully scooped early from the "field" when it became apparent that I was more naturally inclined to handle logistics than lumber.
I also provide green building consulting services for Swinerton, helping developers, architects, and engineers make the sustainable design decisions in planning for a building that will ultimately render a
LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Certified facility. Ideally we'll go beyond all that.
In my spare cubicle time, I politely remind the $2 billion a year company that pays my salary about things like greenhouse gas emission reductions, composting, and the benefits of shade grown, fair trade coffee.
When doing the other things in life: These days I bike a lot. A lot a lot. I’m also spending a small chunk of time organizing Ride 350. Otherwise, I share life with Lily, an ever-growing family of friends, and recently, dogs. Unfortunately, they're the dogs of our friends. It works, for now. We tend to find enjoyment in food, laughter, outdoor adventure, and India Pale Ales.
The climate change issue that resonates most with Adam: Built environment. How we design, build, and operate buildings is crucial, seeing as how we westerners spend 90% of our lives in ‘em and they consume 70% of the world’s energy while producing nearly 40% of all greenhouse gas-emissions. Yet it’s not only the buildings that need rethinking - that’s the easy part. The issue goes beyond that to include land use, transportation, really the way that planning, architecture, and design affect how people interact with each other and their communities. To quote a college professor of mine “What is sustainable development?” I don’t know for sure, but I enjoy tinkering towards that end.
Why working to educate people about climate change is important to Adam: I didn’t always care about climate change. I didn’t always know about it either.
Rider Profile: Saul
Name: Saul Kwitman
Age: 30
City: Portland, OR
Bicycle of choice: ’09 Kona Jake the Snake for distance/cross, ’74 Motobecane Grand Record single speed for around town and Schwinn Cruiser SS for cruisin’.
When "working": Product Developer for Nike Global Football (Soccer)
When doing the other things in life: Getting lost biking, climbing, hiking, backpacking and riding whenever I can in and around Oregon (and abroad whenever possible). All that came to a grinding halt when I tore my ACL playing soccer a few months ago, but biking has been my saving grace as I recover.
The climate change issue that resonates most with Saul: How do we extend our message to those that don’t know? It’s one thing to debate the problems with friends that share similar beliefs, but if we’re to make an impact, the message needs to reach a larger audience.
Why working to educate people about climate change is important to Saul: We’ve launched ourselves on a trajectory that is causing dramatic and destructive changes to the world we live in. If we’re to have any hope of pulling out of this nose dive and destroying the environment for future generations, we all need to make a dramatic shift in how we live. Changing how I live my life is the first step, but educating others to make that shift is the only way we can hope to change our trajectory.
Rider Profile: Lily
Name: Lily Brook Abood
Age: Hanging onto my 20’s
City: San Francisco, CA
Bicycle of choice: Centurion 10-speed wonder, refurbished by kids in Oakland
I am a native of California and Hawaii, and have spent the last ten years or so working with nonprofits in the Bay Area. My current role as a Major Gifts Officer for
Mother Jones leads me to the Rockies, Southern California, and the Pacific Northwest – and could fill a mini-series with unusual adventures and inspiring encounters. I also volunteer for a number of local groups that pull at my heart strings, such as
The Bay Institute,
Southern Exposure,
The Headlands Center for the Arts, and
Architecture for Humanity.
My interests outside of cubicles and conference rooms orbit within a bounty of young, healthy living: good friends, crisp sunshine and clean water, fresh food and delicious wine, and family – all in big doses, as often as I can.
My involvement with
350.org is not motivated by one particular issue; it’s the simple belief that we’re capable of a lot more than we’re delivering on. Smart people the world around are imagining up innovative ways to move our world towards a much more sustainable future and they deserve a voice, as do the millions of indigenous people who’ve lived sustainably for generations, and the young people with wide-eyed dreams of what their world could look like, and the wise old sages who wish we could learn from their mistakes. Ride350 will cement a feeling of empowerment in my life, and in the lives of the family and friends that will support us through this ride. It’s the first step in my personal commitment to do more.
Enough is enough, as they say. Let’s put our heads and hearts together and do this. 350 ppm? You betcha.
Rider Profile: Alex H.Name: Alex Hooker
Age: 27
City: San Francisco
Bicycle of choice: Cannondale Synapse for the lycra, Raleigh Sojourn for the journey, Puch Mistral for cruising the Mission.
When "working": Stewardship Program Manager, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. Restoring the California Coastal Ecosystem with the help of thousands of volunteers each year.
When doing the other things in life: The Bay area provides ample opportunities for outdoor recreation. On most weekends I find myself kayaking in Point Reyes National Seashore, biking the Marin Headlands, or hiking the endless trails of the Golden Gate National Parks and beyond. In San Francisco you might catch a glimpse of me at the climbing gym or biking fast out to Ocean beach for Sunset and a beer.
The climate change issue that resonates most with Alex: How will climate change effect plants, animals, and entire ecosystems? Will endemic plant and animal communities have the ability to adapt to a new climate in such a short amount of time? Temperature increases might make Joshua Tree National Park too hot for Joshua trees to exist. No Joshua trees in Joshua Tree National Park? How will our grasslands, temperate forests, tropics respond to this drastic change? I can only hope that our immediate action will prevent the inevitable decline in plant and animal species worldwide.
Why working to educate people about climate change is important to Alex: We all want are kids to grow up in a safe and healthy environment, but the earth that sustains us is in jeopardy of not being able to provide us with our basic needs. By raising awareness and helping people to understand the very serious nature of this problem, we can continue to get more people on board with more environmentally sounds choices in their daily lives to make our earth healthy again. We can fix this, and it starts right now with Ride 350.
Rider Profile: AugustaName: Augusta Hopkins
Age: 37
City: San Francisco
Bicycle of choice: 1989 Bianchi Campione covered in stickers, to keep the city thieves at bay
When "working": Just finished B'School. Now have an MBA in Sustainable Business Management and a lot of time on my hands to look for work.
When doing the other things in life: Community! That's my primary concern in life. I create community by going to the farmers' market at least once a week and inviting everyone I know to my parties, picnics, Stern Grove outing. I often host small brunches featuring fresh local seasonal food. When I'm not on my bike, eating or buying fresh local food I'm supporting some other local business or walking the hills or Noe Valley and Bernal.
The climate change issue that resonates most with Augusta: Community resilience and local economies are the issues closest to my heart. I believe if people knew the impact of their choice of where to spend a dollar they would be more selective and we would have richer communities (both financially and socially), self reliant local economies and a whole lot less carbon in the atmosphere and oceans.
Why working to educate people about climate change is important to Augusta: I want people to feel empowered to make wise, educated decisions.
Rider Profile: Alex S.Name: Alex Spilger
Age: 29
City: Sausalito
Bicycle of choice: Bianchi Eros
When "working": Green Building Educator - working to empower members of the building community with the knowledge and tools to successfully implement green building practices into their projects
When doing the other things in life: When not working, I enjoy swimming in the bay, biking through the headlands or running through the hills of Sausalito. I also enjoy cooking, playing guitar and good books.
The climate change issue that resonates most with Alex: Social & environmental injustices
Why working to educate people about climate change is important to Alex: Education is the pathway to change. Until people are aware of the problems at hand and how best to deal with them, they won't be able to take positive action
Rider Profile: PeterName: Peter Prato
Age: 30
City: Oakland
Bicycle of choice: I currently ride a Univega a la Michael Monti, bicycle-making extraordinaire, but if anyone finds my Fuji (or the person that stole it) I’d like it back. I loved that bike.
When "working": I am a Senior Executive Coach with InsideTrack. When coaching, I’m helping students to make better decisions. Typically, this revolves around me asking very specific questions related to the decisions people are making and weighing those against current circumstances, expectations, and possible outcomes. I spend time calming people down or helping them to recognize their strengths. I work from an additive model, meaning, it’s my job to get people to reflect on what’s best in them, and for them, and then I get them to act on that. Sometimes people hang up on me. Sometimes, they realize that they’re capable of much more.
I also like to take
pictures.
I volunteer with
Groundwork Opportunities. They’re good people.
When doing the other things in life:I’ve recently started swimming. Not like my usual, diving into a lake, pretending-I’m-five-again, swimming. This is huge. I love the water but haven’t trained and am looking to get more involved in this way of living. I love to read and am currently taking longer to finish Anna Karenina than it took Tolstoy to write it. About two years ago I took a plunge that had been on my mind for the last ten and started swing dancing and now can properly cut a rug. The Charleston is my swing and if you ever get a chance to hear Gaucho play live don’t think twice. I’m an avid record collector and a fan of all things analog. I also work as a community organizer in Oakland and when I’m supposed to be sleeping I’m either moonlighting on political campaigns, cooking, listening to Car Talk, or reading up on foreign policy.
The climate change issue that resonates most with Peter:The climate change issue that resonates most with me is two-fold: Drought and the degradation of ocean ecosystems. Generally, I’m concerned with the effects of human behavior on the environment but I’m most concerned with those aspects of the environment that are the absolutely fundamental to our survival- water, oxygen, and food. As the climate changes, and populations expand, water-shortages become an increasing concern. Relying on petroleum products in order to get portable water doesn’t make sense and only further propagates the behavior which eventually becomes dependency and generates more waste. In addition to this, the over-fishing of the oceans greatly concerns me when ocean eco-systems are in decline due to, in part, the change in climate. I’m concerned that as the climate changes human beings will become even more dependent on practices that damage the environment.
Why working to educate people about climate change is important to Peter:Because I don’t want to live beyond Thunderdome, that’s why. And because life is short and beautiful and if we are going to perpetuate the human species we have a responsibility to do so in a way that leaves future generations thankful for the decisions we made and aware of the fact that we weren’t only trying to protect ourselves. True love travels through time.
Rider Profile: BenName: Ben Jervey
Age: 30 (whoa..first time I've written it.)
City: Brooklyn, NY (&, depending on the season, Burlington, VT)
Bicycle of choice: My Cannondale T800 touring bike was stolen last month--in the middle of the day, locked with Kryptonite's mightiest NYC-to a secure DOT-installed bike rack, on a busy street. I'm now commuting on a beaten-but-not-broken "bad bike" and recreating on a Trek 1.2.
When "working": I'm the "Community Editor" for
OnEarth Magazine, where we're working to launch a citizen journalism platform. We're still figuring out what a "Community Editor" is, but thus far I'm acting as co-curator, moderator, referee and OnEarth recruiter. I'm also doing a bit of old-fashioned journalism.
I also write a weekly column on climate, energy, and sustainability called
"The New Ideal" for GOOD Magazine.
On top of all that, I'm part of a team building an online directory of all things "good" (smart, conscious, sustainable) everywhere. And I did
a book thing awhile back.
When doing the other things in life: In a lot of ways, I feel like all barriers between my professional and personal life have pretty much dissolved. I work on things that I care about, and much of the travel and research I do for "work" is just an extension of my personal interest.
That said, most of my free time these days seems to be committed to various eco-type conferences/events/forums and weddings. (Seriously--cool it out, friends and cousins.) Though I also like to go for
long train rides,
long bike rides,
long (and cold and scary) boat trips, and
read long books. When I get up to my sometimes-part time home, I spend a fair bit of time hiking, skinning, and skiing the Green Mountains, and possibly even more time assessing the state of Vermont's
microbreweries.
The climate change issue that resonates most with Ben: I think it's important to recognize that climate change isn't merely the biggest environmental challenge of our time (though it is), but the biggest public health challenge, the biggest economic challenge, the biggest national security challenge, the biggest food and hunger challenge, the biggest water challenge, and the biggest human rights challenge of our time. I can't say that one bit of this is more important than anything else.
Why working to educate people about climate change is important to Ben: Because in combatting climate change, the most that is politically feasible right now doesn't come close to the bare minimum that the science says is necessary to avoid the worst fates of climate change. And these fates--the science tells us again and again--are truly startling. Real "hell and high water" sort of stuff.
The message from the White House and the Capitol right now is this: We want to be bold; we want to do big things--but the movement isn't there to allow us. We need to build the movement on the ground--in the voting districts--to support massive, bold action.
Rider Profile: JennyName: Jennifer O'Connor (the un-bearded one at left)
Age: 25
City: San Francisco
Bicycle of choice: My new Trek 2.3 road bike (thanks to a donation from Missing Link Bike Co-Op)
When "working":I am the development director for a non-profit,
Groundwork Opportunities, I helped start with 2 friends of mine in July of 2008. The mission of GO is to invest funds and resources into vulnerable communities, promoting a cycle of self-sufficiency and sustainable development that will enable the improvement of the human condition. By forming a global network of donors, organizations, volunteers, and, most importantly, listening to communities on the ground, we create more long-term and efficient impacts in the communities we serve.
When doing the other things in life:I am an avid triathlete and runner, which basically means I spend a huge chunk of my extra time running, biking, or swimming. I also recently started my own racing team, "The Little Bike That Could", to raise awareness and funds for my non-profit. If I am not outside, you can most likely find me in the kitchen cooking or baking, taking my dog, Bella, out on adventures, trying a new restaurant in San Francisco with my girlfriends, singing a Wilson Phillips or Michael Jackson song at Karaoke, camping or backpacking, and taking guitar lessons. I also have recently started surfing and, although I am currently pretty terrible, I love the ocean and hope to continue to pursue the sport.
The climate change issue that resonates most with Jenny: Habitat loss/degradation and climate change are a deadly combination. Most of the world's endangered species, some 25 percent of mammals and 12 percent of birds, may become extinct over the next few decades as warmer conditions alter the forests, wetlands, and rangelands they depend on, and human development blocks them from migrating elsewhere.
Why working to educate people about climate change is important to Jenny:I often feel that people would make the right choices, reduce their carbon footprints and their impact on the environment if they were educated about the issues and armed with the right resources. Spreading and sharing knowledge is the key to helping ourselves and the people around us become more responsible citizens of the earth.
Rider Profile: ZachName: Zach "D" Dorman
Age: Let’s just go with 30...
Location: San Francisco, CA
Bicycle of Choice: Jake the Snake, Kona
Occupation: Senior Regional Director of Adventure Travel Company,
Adventures Cross-CountryAbout Zach: When I’m not planning programs throughout the world I find myself indulging in the incredible bounty closer to home here in the Golden State of California. From tasting decadent cheeses, riding barreling point breaks, trout fishing the sierra, diving for the extraordinary abalone or peddling around the wondrous city of San Francisco, I live to be outside and always chasing that last light of the day.
The issue that resonates with me the most in dealing with global climate change is the large increase of loss in glaciers and ice caps. Having spent a good chunk of time in Alaska over the last few years it is very clear the landscape is changing with increasing speed. Talking with locals who have climbed and wandered these hills for decades speak with great concern over the rapid decline of ice. And Alaska is not alone in this. The North Country throughout the world is dealing with the drastic results of melting glaciers. And it’s not just a change in scenery. Seasonal melt water from glaciers support whole ecosystems including billions of people. Millions of acres of farm land, salmon habitats and whole estuaries are dependent on these resources. The depletion of such is causing massive environmental degradation affecting communities throughout the globe.
We need to be one on this issue of global climate change. It sees no boundaries; it crosses political borders, mountains, rivers and oceans. Educating each other on this issue and coming together as a global front we can make change before its too late. Riding the California coast under the harvest moon of October shouting out the Global Climate Change Gospel….350 is our call to action.
Rider Profile: NickName: Nick Aster
Age: 35
Location: San Francisco, CA
Bicycle of Choice: Trek Something or Other
Occupation: Publisher,
TriplePundit.comAbout Nick: When not slouched in front of the computer rambling about complex solutions to the world's problem, Nick can be found out on the road between here and there riding the hills and valleys. He's also an avid explorer of San Francisco's nooks and crannies and enjoys showing people a good time.
The problem with climate change and other related issues is that they're still thought of as years away dilemmas... that means people don't think of them as urgent. Even when it's comprehended that something needs to be done, many people's actions still don't reflect the urgency of the situation - only with repeated education and exposure do things really start to sink in.
What makes the problem more complex is the nature of our economy - one that's built on consumption more than production, that values material gain over other forms of "profit" - redefining what we value as 'success' is what it's going to take to combat the shopaholic, consumptive nature of our culture - but unless business is on board, and unless business figures out how to succeed in a less materially impactuful manner, then we've got a lot of work on our hands.
These are the things I think about...
