June 1, 2007
Kiwis and Global Youth Stunt to Highlight Climate Change

On June 5th, in celebration of World Environment Day, members of the Pole to Pole Leadership Institute will raise awareness of the devastating effects of climate change by dragging tyres across four continents.

Two young New Zealanders, Jon Earle and David Henley - both recently selected for an international youth team undertaking a world-first human and wind powered expedition from the South to North Pole (starting this November) - will be partaking, but on opposite sides of the world.

In Dunedin, New Zealand, at 12 midday (5th June), Dave Henley, will haul a tyre tied firmly to his body up the world's steepest street (Baldwin St), along with other young locals, showing the power of youth potential to tackle this issue.

“A clean, green slogan doesn’t make New Zealand exempt from the devastating effects that climate change poses. It is time for New Zealand to seize the opportunity to take real action, be excited not fearful and lead boldly on this critical issue. I believe kiwis have got what it takes, once we get committed we really can have significant global influence.” Says Henley.

In the Netherlands, Jon Earle of NZ/UK and Aukje Van Gerven of Holland, will pull tyres across the Afsluitdijk Dyke (Tues 5pm until Wed 5am NZL time) to focus on how climate change is causing sea levels to rise, threatening the country’s flood protection system. Over half of Holland lies below sea level and flooding would cause large scale economic, social and environmental damage. Holland will be one of the first developed country to be exposed to the direct impact of the large scale effects of climate change, along with. developing countries like Bangledesh or Tauvalu

“Living in the Netherlands has become like living in a danger-zone, something that most inhabitants like to deny.” Says Van Gerven, “We embrace our false sense of safety, but the facts we are dealing with are undeniable. If we don’t start taking action in our own homes and don’t convince the rest of the world that this is a huge problem, we’ll pay a very high price, as we’re amongst the first nations to be hit.”

While this dedicated duo pulls their weight in Europe and New Zealand, similar exhibitions will be taking place throughout the world in full support of their message.

In the United States, Kim Raess, Eric Welscher- Bilodeau, Amy Blanding and Amy Newman will drag tyres across the Golden Gate Bridge on the 4th of June, and then again at the International Symposium on Digital Earth 5, in San Francisco, on the 5th, where they will partake in this conference. Teddy Barret will drag his radial through Washington D.C., around the monuments and to the White House, raising Pole to Pole awareness.

In Canada, a group of Canadian Pole to Pole members and applicants - including Pole to Pole co-founder and veteran of numerous polar expeditions Martyn Williams - will haul their tyres along the sea front in Stanley Park, Vancouver to highlight extreme weather conditions and the effect on native areas; and in downtown Victoria on Vancouver Island, to bring light to youth leadership and local climate change issues.

In South America, Canadian Steve Ingold will haul his tyre through the streets of Santiago, Chile displaying the air pollution and promoting human powered transportation.

The tyre-dragging demonstrations are not just to draw attention to climate change, but training for pulling sleds on the first ever human and wind powered expedition from the South Pole to the North Pole, which launches in November.

As an initiative of the Pole to Pole Leadership Institute (www.poletopoleleadership.com),
the team of 24 young people aged between 18 and 29 will spend 18 months traversing some of the world's harshest regions by foot, bike, ski, and sailboat.

Starting from the icy extremes of Antarctica, the expedition will brave the world’s most dangerous seas under sail to Africa, where they will cross some of the continent’s most unforgiving terrain, then wind through the streets of Europe to finish the trek by traversing the Northern Ice Cap to reach the North Pole.

While the Expedition is underway, Advance and Education Teams will participate in humanitarian and environmental projects and speak with students throughout North America, Europe and Africa, by delivering a leadership workshop, with practical training, giving them the skills to make positive local change.

Pole to Pole Leadership Institute is an international non-profit organisation that inspires, empowers and trains youth to become leaders addressing the critical issues of our time. It captures the imagination of youth world-wide by undertaking epic journeys that demonstrate how youth can overcome obstacles, become leaders in their own right, and effect positive global change.

Among the goals of the program:
 over 1 million volunteer hours will be created throughout Europe
 1 million dollars worth of food donations will be made
 over 1 million kilograms of waste material will be recycled
 over 1 million trees will be planted
 1,000 farmers will be working with the Institute in the Fair Trade program
 3 wildlife programs will be created
 5 water wells will be constructed
 3 orphanages will be constructed
 over 1,000 solar ovens will be distributed.

David Henley, a New Zealand member says, “The 21st century is an incredibly exciting time to be alive, with masses of opportunity and potential, and because we are living within them it is hard to fathom just how significant these years are in human history.” He continues, “we are part of a truly integrated, connected and globalised world and similarly climate change has no political or geographical borders.”

There are still places available for youth world-wide to be a part of this unique leadership opportunity that is on the forefront of global and local issues. With the journey broken into two sections (North/South), applications currently are being accepted for all northern teams, with limited spaces available in the Southern Teams for the Advanced and Education teams starting in November, 2007.
For more information visit our website at www.poletopoleleadership.com

-ENDS-

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