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Ariel Atom Sports Car donated to Southward Car Museum by Ron Eckman

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –

26 November 2007
Press release: Climate Action Festival Organising Committee

New Zealand to kick off Dec 8 - International Day of Action on Climate Change

Saturday December the 8th is International Day of Action on Climate Change. It is a day to raise awareness of climate change, and call on world leaders to take urgent action. It coincides with the United Nations Climate talks to be held in Bali, Indonesia this year from December 3rd to 14th. Over 77 countries are participating in this campaign. Please visit www.globalclimatecampaign.org. Due to New Zealand's location on the globe, we are the first country in the world to acknowledge this day.

Wellington Climate Action Festival – A celebration of change.

Wellington's Civic Square will be alive with activity and entertainment from 12pm – 7pm on December 8 th 2007.

The day is already set to be brimming with informative and interactive stalls, live music from the Wellington Community Choir, Odessa, Ukulele Orchestra, films including the 11th hour by Leonardo Dicaprio, discussion panel, speakers, children's activities great food, and more. The theme of this event is celebrating change through community.

This event is being organised by volunteers from Victoria University's environmental group – Gecko. We are predominantly comprised of students and ex-students as well as other volunteers who are concerned about the environment, concerned about climate change, concerned about humanity.

Included in the organising team is a man with an incredible story. Ron Eckman, a Wellington businessman, had this to say:

"I recently donated my exotic sports car, an Ariel Atom, to the Southward Car Museum. I used to think it was cool to aspire to own and drive fast and expensive cars. And it truly was a lot of fun. Now I think it's cool to create a future for this planet and that car is just not part of our future on this planet. It took me a long time to realize that how I was living my life was not sustainable. Eventually I woke up to the idea that we all need to make some changes, for the sake of my children, for future generations and to be honest, for the sake of my conscience. I considered selling my car, but ultimately that would have had the car back on the roads. So, ultimately, I chose to donate the car to a museum. What better place to house and display a personal symbol of a past life. For me it isn't about giving up something, it is about "walking the talk" and living with integrity. I'm passionate about the environment. We are all on this spaceship Earth together and I'm excited about the present opportunity to heal the planet…nothing gives me a deeper sense of satisfaction than working with young people to heal the planet. I am one of the volunteers preparing for a major event, "Climate Action Festival" to be held 8 December in Wellington's Civic Square. The young people on this project inspire me with their passion and commitment to deal positively and constructively with the challenge of climate change."

Benjamin Beer - student from Victoria University and member of Gecko Environmental group made these comments:

During the organising committee meetings, the level of commitment and passion exerted by our volunteers inspires me. We understand that Climate Change is the greatest challenge of our time - possibly the greatest challenge humanity has ever faced. However we are not going to bury our heads in the sand. I feel that our collective vision can be summed up in four words: We have a dream.

We have a dream that more New Zealander's will rise to the challenge and begin to transform our lifestyles to become sustainable. We have a dream that New Zealand will uphold our 'clean green' image and lead the way on environmental issues. We have a dream that Wellington will become the 'first Green Capital in New Zealand, and the World'. On December 8 th at Wellington' Civic Square, we want to connect with individuals and communities who share our dream.

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Go to www.globalclimatecampaign.org for events and information around the world

Visit www.climatedefence.org.nz for local information.

This event has the full support of the Be The Change Campaign – visit www.bethechange.org.nz

ENDS

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