Pushing pedals to promote zero emissions

Gisborne sisters Lenka and Ellie Craft are part of a five-strong group cycling more than 800km from Auckland to Wellington over 11 days to bring attention to the Zero Carbon Act. New Zealand needs clear government policy if it wants to have zero emissons by 2050, they say. From left are Jamie Young-Drew, Sam Dyson, Emily Wilson, Ellie and Lenka. Picture supplied

IT'S a cool way to see the North Island but Gisborne sisters Ellie and Lenka Craft have a bigger agenda than sightseeing.

They are biking from Auckland to Wellington to get New Zealanders to start thinking about climate change, and more importantly, being a zero emission country by 2050.

Today is day 11 and their last day of their conscious cycling adventure.

They have biked more than 800 kilometres through the central North Island.

It has been the most mentally and physically demanding thing they have ever done, but very empowering.

“It’s everyone’s future but we’re doing it because it’s our generation that will really feel the impact,” said Ellie, 27.

The sisters know there are technologies that can be used now to decrease this country’s carbon footprint but they have to be actioned.

Lenka, 29, said it was important to have a nationwide policy in place.

“It will mean we have an independent climate commission to make sure we have zero emissions by 2050 and we have to have policies in place,” she said.

They wanted to make sure all political parties back the Zero Carbon Act because having policies was so much more powerful than changing light bulbs,” said Ellie.

The sisters are part of a five-strong group cycling down the North Island but have the wider support of around 30,000 people across New Zealand.

They have biked at least 70 kilometres each day and camp overnight in tents or are put up in accommodation by supporters of Generation Zero.

“Every day when you reach your destination you get such a high,” said Lenka. “One of the reasons I took this on was because I felt climate change would be a physical and mental change for everyone.”

They arrive in Wellington today and want to make sure there is enough public support for the Zero Carbon Act.

“I think it’s really powerful, and to know that we are part of positive change.”

The other members of their cycle group are are Jamie Young-Drew, 28, Sam Dyson, 25, and Emily Wilson, 24.

To find out more and add your support you can visit www.zerocarbonact.nz