Thanks for coming!

Kids on the busIt's been something of an odyssey. For close to 6 weeks we've been on our bus trundling slowly north from Bluff in the deep south to Kaeo in the far north. All the way we've talked to people about climate change and the need for action. We've visited a bunch of schools and done a succession of open days with our on board solar cinema and web centre. We've talked to a lot of people. We've been saddened by climate impacts already taking a toll on the environment and people's lives but also encouraged by the number of people already aware and active on climate solutions.

We started in Bluff with the healthy homes project of Te Awarua Runaka, on to Invercargill for an open day and a chat with Tim Shadbolt, and up to Dunedin where we visited the Port Chalmers enviro school, the Waitati community, and the Octagon for an open day. Then a quick stop in Hampden to talk with Dugald and Rick about relocalisation and peak oil and up to Oamaru for an open day. From there we rolled on to Lyttelton to learn about Project Port Lyttelton, a day with Margaret Mahy (and an appearance on Campbell Live) and a visit to St Peters Primary. From Christchurch we pushed through to Wellington where we did open days and school visits. Then on to Titahi Bay to talk with the folk there about their lightbulb challenge and on up to Palmerston North, through to Hamilton and up to Auckland doing more open days and school visits. In Auckland a couple of school visits and the Climate Rescue Carnival for the Global Day of Action on climate change. From Auckland we traveled North to Kaeo to visit Te Huia Marae and talk to the people there about the very real impact climate change has had on their community. Then last of all we visited a school in Kerikeri, did an open day in Paihia and another in Whangarei.

There is an astonishing number of people and groups doing great things around the country. There's a lot more that needs to be done but we've been encouraged by the variety of projects and the enthusiasm with which they are being undertaken.

There is a seemingly infinite number of ways we can tackle climate change in ways that are relevant and meaningful to our own situation, interests and needs. Something for everyone really. This has been illustrated in all the Bright Ideas that have been submitted to the website and the number that have been promoted to Pledges. All the little and not so little ideas quickly add up to a whole lot of action.

It's been a great tour and is just the beginning of the Be The Change campaign. This website will continue to grow and to be a forum for ideas and discussions, and enable all of us to find the best ways that we can each be Climate Heroes - perhaps there's a New Years resolution in that!

Please stay in touch, register if you haven't already, and invite as many people as you can to sign up - the more the merrier!