Scottish cycling enthusiasts are joining protesters from around the world this weekend to make a statement about climate change
Climate campaigners are taking to their bikes to show how Scotland's history can point to a better future for people and the planet.
The Climate Revolution Cycle Ride will make a journey of around 70 miles across central Scotland on Friday 27 November, starting at Kinneil House in Bo'ness, where James Watt invented the steam engine and kickstarted the industrial revolution.
The ride will then went go on to Grangemouth, a symbol of Scotland's old fossil fuel industries, before heading up into the hills to see examples of Scotland's low-carbon future, such as Blacklaw windfarm in South Lanarkshire.
Scotland is where today's industrial society was born. We wanted our ride to recognise that past and that responsibility, but also look towards a new sustainable future.
The ride is taking place in advance of Scotland's Climate March in Edinburgh on Saturday 28 November. The march is part of a global campaign for action in advance of crucial United Nations climate talks in Paris.
People across the world will be demanding that politicians at the UN Climate Change Conference agree strong plans to cut carbon emissions and properly support countries in the developing world who will suffer most from catastrophic climate change.
Cyclist Jim Densham said: "Scotland is where today's industrial society was born. We wanted our ride to recognise that past and that responsibility, but also look towards a new sustainable future.
“Scotland has benefited greatly from the era of fossil fuels, but now we also have world-leading targets on reducing carbon emissions. We need politicians in Paris to follow Scotland's example and commit to action that will properly protect people and the planet from dangerous climate change.”
Scotland's Climate March has been organised by Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, the country's biggest-ever campaign coalition, bringing together environment, faith and international development organisations, trade and student unions and community groups.
Gail Wilson of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland said: “We are very grateful to the Climate Revolution Cycle Ride. The bike is a great symbol of a technology that can lead to lower carbon emissions – it's the kind of thing that wealthy nations around the world need to properly invest in as part of a global move to a new green economy.”
