This is the first time that I have had the ability to attend the Conference of parties- due to time and money- and I could not justify not going this time, especially when Paris can be so easily reached by peddle power. The terrorist attacks last weekend, and the resultant actions taken by Paris’s authorities to limit demonstrations have made this trip all the more important.

The need for action on climate change is scarily evident- from freak weather events and unpredictable seasons that we have experienced in the UK and globally, to the floods of vulnerable people fleeing their home countries due to war- which arguably can be linked to a changing climate and conflicts over natural resources.

We need to transition to a low carbon society and we need to have started this yesterday if we are to prevent catastrophic changes in climate; changes that are ultimately going to harm us- humanity- and the many other species that share the earth with us.

At present our government appears completely blind, ignorant or stupid to this fact. Who truly understands their motivations? Either way I cannot sit and watch as our country and broader society is driven down a route that we cannot backtrack on. It is more important than ever that people take actions into their own hands, that we each try to reduce our climate impact and that we support others to do the same.

I am going to Paris to be re-inspired to act; to take time out from my crazy life, to slow down with my bike and reflect on the issue of climate change. I am cycling to re-connect and reflect on the urgency of the issue- building on the very powerful climate pilgrimage I undertook in the summer around Morecambe Bay.

I am going to Paris to deliver the messages we collected on our climate pilgrimage. I am going to connect and learn from others and to help build the climate movement. I am going to Paris because I can!