May 2009 Archives
Today, on EU Solar Day (15 May 2009), a team of three solar campaigners left London's City Hall to cycle around the world powered by the sun!
Team Solar Cycle! Susie, Jamie and Iain ahead of their departure
Susie Wheeldon, Jamie Vining and Iain Henderson make up The Solar Cycle Diaries. An around-the-world cycle trip aimed at raising awareness of solar as a solution to climate change, the world's energy needs and the fight against poverty. The team will be raising money for SolarAid and their target is an impressive £30,000.
Thin film solar panels on their panniers will power the team's communications equipment enabling them to update their blogs and upload photos regularly.
There are many ways you can follow the team's progress. Read their blog, following them on Twitter or read SolarAid's updates right here on latest news.
Please support them on their massive venture and support SolarAid at the same time.
The SolarAid team wish the intrepid travellers the very best of luck!
Team members Jamie and Susie wave farewell to their supporters at London's City Hall. May 15, 2009
The SEED Initiative identifies, profiles and supports locally-driven and promising start-up enterprises working in developing regions to improve livelihoods- tackling poverty sustainably.
We're thrilled to announce that The SEED International jury has selected SolarAid as one of just 20 SEED Award Winners for 2009 as part of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development.
For more information on The SEED Initiative and the awards scheme please go to: www.seedinit.org
We are thrilled to announce that this August, SolarAid will be at The Big Chill Festival as a charity partner. We will be the only environmental and international development charity present at this year's festival.
What will we be doing?
SolarAid will have an information hut- 'The Sun Hut'- within the Enchanted Garden. At the Sun Hut, festival-goers will have the chance to participate in solar workshops, seminars, talks, Q&As and competitions. They will be able to meet the team of SolarAid volunteers, find out more about the charity and its projects and learn about solar energy as a solution to world poverty and climate change.
An innovative approach
...For those revellers who wish to avoid that frustrating scenario of losing friends amongst the crowd thanks to their mobile phone running out of battery at just the wrong moment- SolarAid will be there to help! We will be offering a unique 100% solar-powered phone charging service. All profits will go straight back into bringing solar energy to the developing world. So, everyone is a winner; rural communities in Africa, the environment and the disorientated festival-goer!
SolarAid's own solar stage
Near the Sun Hut in the Enchanted Garden, there will be the SolarAid Busker's Stage where audiences will be able to enjoy a broad mix of live music in a tranquil setting on a hill overlooking the main arena.
The festival takes place in the beautiful deer park surrounding Eastnor Castle, near Ledbury in Herefordshire, between 6 - 9 August.
For more information and to buy tickets, please visit: www.bigchill.net/festival
We hope to see you there!
