By Ben Brown
Posted on Aug. 26, 2009. Listed in:
There is something magnificent brewing on New Zealand's West Coast. It's something that aims to bring all coasters together in a celebration of this unique and exquisite part of the world through positive action to combat climate change.
The "A Day at the Beach" festival will run from September 1st to 24th and will involve a 350km trek, beach clean-ups, tree plantings, live music and a public lecture series.
The brainchild of two passionate coasters; Guy Ryan and Louis Brown "A Day at the Beach" will kick off on the 1st with the departure of a small group of people from Karamea. Their target; Franz Josef glaciers - 350kms away.
Along the way they will be joined by others for specific sections of the journey where 16 community events will occur over the 24 days and nights of the festival. The distance of the journey is no mistake.
Brown told me that the 350kms represents the 350 parts of atmospheric carbon per million that leading scientists say is the safe upper limit for the planet. Indeed, the "A Day at the Beach" festival is but one of hundreds of events around the world advocating the 350 message in the lead up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in December.
This festival is not a flash in the pan for the coast either. It aims to build lasting outcomes for the region, to help swing a shift in mindset for local communities who may have traditionally seen the region boom and bust as a result of extractive industries such as coal mining and fishing.
For the organisers, the festival is a way to engage coasters in an example of rejuvenation - literally planting the seeds for generations to come; seeds of environmental education, adventure and pride in the region.
Brown hopes that not only will people have fun and learn at the festival but they will also contribute to building a regenerated and regenerating coast that they can take ownership of. The festival also provides an opportunity for like-minded people from the region to come together with a common purpose of environmental action and adventure, which may lead to other opportunities for collaborative work in the future.
Another central theme of the festival is leadership. The organisers are keen to demonstrate how each and every person at the festival can make a positive difference to their community.
Ryan recently said “we have some major challenges on our hands – climate change is top of the list, and as young people many of the problems we're already experiencing will become acute in our lifetimes. I think it’s important to lead by example and show that every one of us can get involved, have fun, and make a difference”.
Through a festival that combines adventure, culture and environmental action these passionate coasters are aiming to ignite ongoing leadership amongst the people of the region to create a renewed attitude for the area, one that dispels the myth that the region is a slow-moving backwater.
With organisers such as Ryan and Brown (who once walked solo for 20 days from Farewell Spit to Tauranga Bay, near Westport) involved, I am sure there will be no shortage of inspiration.
To date, organisers predict that more than 4000 seedlings will be planted during the festival, a total of 10 tonnes of waste will be removed from all major West Coast beaches and can confirm that more than 1500 students will be attending during the festival. The wider crowd over the 24 day festival is expected at around 5000.
The festival is supported by Keep New Zealand Beautiful, Development West Coast, Westpac and other local businesses, local government, Department of Conservation and numerous other organisations.
Editor's note: For more information see the website.
More articles on Celsias:
The Day We've All Been Waiting For
Photo 3: The two organisers (Brown on left and Ryan on right) with Keep New Zealand Beautiful CEO Simon Johnson in the centre.
