Civic organisation consortium in climate change cycling campaign

A consortium of civic organisations in Zimbabwe and other East and Southern Africa Countries are embarked in the campaign against climate change through a 70 days cycling event which includes the nations such as Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania and end in Nairobi- Kenya.

The organisers of the compaign in Zimbabwe, Sarah Mwandiambira revealed.

The campaigns are also held in conjunction with the Paris France organisations.

She said Zimbabwe Council of Churches through the campaign, "We have Faith Pan-African Campaign for Climate Justice- Act Now for Climate Justice" brings in various faith based organization, youth networks, and other civic societies from East and Southern Africa.

She said it kicked-off from Maputo on August 31 and will end in Nairobi on November 8 2015, following the route: Maputo – Pretoria – Gaborone - Harare - Lusaka – Lilongwe - Dar-es-Salaam - Nairobi.

In Zimbabwe, Mwandiambira said cyclists namely Thomas Classen, Alexander Welsh, Nqobani Gatsheni, Knowledge, Ralph Mthupa, Busani Moyo who are all from the Flying Eagles Cycling Club Based in Bulawayo are participating.

The climate justice cyclist Caravan itinerary in Zimbabwe started on September 14 in Plumtree to Bulawayo. The cyclists proceeds to Harare with stop over at every town along the way and then to Chinhoyi, Karoi and reach Kariba on September 28. Mwandiambira said petitions were being collected in every town.

The Climate change campaigners said low carbon development has been a major component of international negotiations on climate change.

"Success of propositions towards low carbon development comprise practices to reduce carbon emissions incurred in the transport sector worldwide," reads the document. "Cycling is a symbolic event to demonstrate practical action that the common citizenry of the world can adopt in their countries to reduce carbon emissions from the transport sector."

About 21 youth are taking part in their countries across 9 African countries.

 "During the crossing over at the boarder (from one country to the next), that is from Botswana Zimbabwe boarder- Plumtree to Zimbabwe, Zambia Boarder Kariba, the cyclists will hand over to Zambia to continue the relay until the final destination is reached in Kenya," reads the document. "Cyclists from other parts of the world are also encouraged to join and cycle in solidarity with the African youth."

The campaign is meant to strengthen the Pan-African voice through mobilization of 1 million Climate Justice Petitions across the continent to pile pressure on national and world leaders to deliver on climate justice.