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First ever Round Britain Climate Challenge by electric paramotor Launch at Glasgow Science Centre 18th June
The Round Britain Climate Challenge is the first ever circumnavigation attempt of mainland Britain with an electric paramotor – an adventurous expedition created by Sacha Dench (UN Ambassador for Convention on Migratory Species ,CMS and Founder of Conservation Without Borders ) to draw attention to climate issues at home.
The official launch is at the Glasgow Science Centre on the 18th June 2021. Sacha and her team will be available to talk with, host school visits, and reveal the secrets behind the green powered journey
This groundbreaking 3000 mile plus expedition will travel anti-clockwise around Britain, ending back in Glasgow around 6 weeks later. This daring expedition is designed to inspire and excite the nation to get involved in tackling the climate crisis in the run up to COP26.
Sacha will take off ( weather permitting) on the expedition from Loch Lomond on the expedition on 21st June following some practice flying and team training.
Sacha with her electric paramotor by one of the Team EVs and about to take off with the new wing
‘Human Swan’ Sacha Dench, known for global expeditions with migratory species, turned her focus to climate change for this expedition after losing her family home in the Australian bushfires.
She will be landing frequently, talking with, filming, and gathering information from industry, innovators and entrepreneurs, local heroes, communities, schools, farmers and individuals – anybody involved in addressing the effects of climate change in their areas. A compilation of these stories will be presented at COP26 in Glasgow in November.
• Sacha will set a new Guinness World Records Title for the fastest (and first) flight around Britain in a paramotor. It will also be a first for an electric paramotor.
• A second Guinnes World Records Title attempt will aim to inspire at least 140,001 people to take personal climate action between 18 June and 17 July as part of the global campaign Count Us In (https://www.count-us-in.org/). On achieving this, every participant will get a badge recognising their contribution to setting a world record.
Sacha says
“ This is the first time an electric paramotor will ever have been used in a long journey – and it’s going to be an exciting challenge.
I want to capture the imaginations of the young and old, rural and urban, and focus on answers to the climate crisis – not problems - and encourage everyone, to get involved. Just one person pledging to take an action through Count Us In will help us get that second Guineess World Record too!
As well as investigating how climate change is affecting different regions of the country, we will be showing – in a visually stunning and exciting way - what is happing to help cut carbon and preserve and restore our environment. We’ll be finding the likely and unlikely heroes and discovering where and what works. “
Contact
Jackie Pedersen / M: +44 (0)7980 767710 / E: press@conservation-without-borders.org or
Sacha Dench/ M: +44 (0)7534 698525 / E: sacha@conservation-without-borders.org
Notes
• The expedition and Sacha’s progress will be tracked online here once the expedition starts: www.climatechallenge.live
• Photo and video content, live broadcasts, can be facilitated during the expedition care of the professional media team in the ground crew
• There will be opportunities for interviews at camp sites most evenings
• Email us to be notified of the launch event details in Glasgow
• There will be celebrities joining Sacha en-route, names to be announced.
Sponsors and Supporters include:
EDF (headline), Mastercard (major), Britishvolt (associate), Vauxhall Ltd, Ridge & Partners LLP, Rix & Kay, Brit Insurance, The Eden Project, Celtic Renewables, Don't Cry Wolf, Garland Partners Ltd (Live U), Finisterre, Outdoor Revolution, Autonomous IOT, Zero Waste Scotland, Kreston Reeve Accountants, Johnstons of Elgin, Treharne Automotive Engineering, EcoSecurities, Scarlet Hotel, SkyDemon, Eco Attractions, Martin Valenti, Zero-Six-Zero, Dudek, Parajet, The Climate Coalition, Race To Zero, Count Us in, The Green Alliance, Re-wilding Britain, the Scouts, the Scientific Exploration Society, The Nature Friendly Farming Network, Plug In Adventures, Helix, Johnston Carmichael, UN Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species
Background on Sacha Dench
• UN Ambassador for the Convention on Migratory Species
• CEO, Conservation Without Borders
• Biologist, Conservationist, adventurer, motivational speaker
• First woman to receive prestigious Britannia Trophy in 50 years
• Freediving record holder,
• Woman of the Year 2017
• Environment Campaign of the Year 2017
• British Women Pilots Association Trophy 2017
• Green Swan Award, alongside Sir Tim Smit for ‘Making the seemingly impossible, virtually inevitable’.
About EDF
EDF is helping Britain achieve Net Zero by leading the transition to a cleaner, low emission electric future and tackling climate change. We are Britain’s biggest generator of zero carbon electricity – from our eight nuclear power stations and more than thirty wind farms – meeting around one-fifth of the country’s demand. In addition to being one of the largest suppliers to British homes and businesses, we’re a leading supplier of innovative energy solutions that are helping our customers become more energy efficient and independent. We continue to invest in the UK’s low carbon energy infrastructure, constructing the first new nuclear power station in a generation at Hinkley Point C, leading the development of plans for Sizewell C in Suffolk, and construction, planning and development across a range of technologies including onshore and offshore wind, solar and battery storage EDF is part of EDF Group, the world’s biggest electricity generator. In the UK we employ around 11,000 people.
About Mastercard (NYSE: MA)
Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. Our decency quotient, or DQ, drives our culture and everything we do inside and outside of our company. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.
www.mastercard.com
About Britishvolt
Britishvolt is Britain’s foremost investor in battery cell technologies and R&D. It is dedicated to supporting the future of electrified transportation and sustainable energy storage, producing world-leading lithium-ion battery technologies, and beyond.
Britishvolt’s aim is to establish the UK as the leading force in battery technology. It is working with leading partners and suppliers to achieve this, as it is of paramount importance to the future of the UK automotive industry and the overall economic and industrial health of the UK.
The company believes that the UK is the right place for its investments because of the strength of its automotive and energy industry, its expertise and history of industrial and academic battery research and development, and its world-class battery ecosystem. www.britishvolt.com
About Count Us In
Count Us In is a global community of people and organisations taking practical steps to protect what they love from climate change before it is too late. Count Us In’s mission over the next decade is to inspire 1 billion people to significantly reduce their carbon pollution and challenge leaders to act boldly to deliver global systems change. It brings together sport, faith, business, youth and civil society - to protect what you love, make changes that matter, do good for you too, and add up to something bigger. Find out more and take a step on count-us-in.org
