Falmouth resident Euan McPhee will be part of a small team of cyclists delivering a report from Climate Vision from Truro Cathedral to the UN climate talks in Paris next month.

“Back in 2009, 4,000 people across Cornwall inspired by a group at Truro Cathedral pledged to take personal action to reduce their carbon footprint,” said Euan. “A team then took a Pilot Gig and the pledges to the Copenhagen Climate talks; however, the talks ended in failure.”

In Paris this year, as in Copenhagen in 2009, governments of all countries in the world meet to attempt again to agree on necessary actions to mitigate the effects of man-made climate change which science states is a clear and present danger.

“Five years on, Climate Vision have followed up on those people who made the pledges and discovered an enormous benefit at very low cost," said Euan. "This is the message of the report we are carrying to Paris – people are willing and able to take action, if only Governments will give us a lead.

"The evidence from climate science research is now overwhelming - there is no time for further delay. The need to end our reliance on coal, oil and gas, and to adopt renewable sources of energy is essential. There is very limited time to act if the earth is to remain habitable for all humankind – and for other species too. What sort of future are we leaving for our children and grandchildren?”

The core team of four riders will be joined by many others along the route and will be holding meetings and talks in towns as they pass through in Cornwall and France.

The team will set off from Truro Cathedral at 11am on Tuesday, November 17 and are due to arrive in Paris on Thursday the 26th for a weekend of meetings and actions at the start of the UN conference.

Euan added: “As a college lecturer, I have talked about the theory behind climate change. Now I feel it is time to support the theory with action. Now that I am retired I have the time to be able to do this; but one thing that none of us can retire from is our impact upon the planet. By cycling to Paris, I am acting in solidarity with all who seek to end our dependence on fossil fuel and support the transition to a sustainable and secure world for all life, now and into the future.”

Euan intends to be available for talks about the experience of the ride and the significance of the events in Paris early in December. In the meantime, people can keep up with Euan’s progress via the team blog on the website www.pedal2paris.uk.