This is a guest post by the amazing Kate Seitz, one of ACE’s Climate Ride team. Here she answers a few questions about her participation in Climate Ride: a 320 mile, 5 day bicycling journey from Eureka to San Francisco, California this September that aims to raise awareness about climate change and sustainability. 

Why Climate Ride? When I heard about Climate Ride, I practically signed up immediately. A five day bike ride in California that aims to raise awareness about climate change and sustainability − two things about which I am passionate to the core − and also to spread the word about my primary mode of transportation, bicycling. It’s sure to be both a challenging a rewarding experience.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhPPhdwuK9I

Why are these issues important? You really just have to open your eyes and to see that, by and large, the human race has little regard for the environmental consequences of its actions. I think that for many people, the disconnect between their own daily habits and the earth’s natural systems causes them to view climate change as a potentially threatening issue, but something that is way off in the distance…. something that they do not view as having an urgent, direct impact on their lives, and therefore isn’t ringing any alarms in their mind that might spring them into action. I fear that if this mentality continues to prevail, the joke is going to be on us.

Why are you fundraising for the Alliance for Climate Education (ACE)? Education is an integral part to how we adapt and react to the changing environment, which is precisely why I chose to ride for ACE. The folks at ACE are out there sharing science-based information about climate change with our youth and inspiring them to take action to preserve and protect this planet and its resources. They’re inspiring young adults them to take a stand for their generation, for future generations, and for the earth.

Love ACE? Love what Kate is doing? Raise funds for the event, and for ACE, please visit: http://tiny.cc/KateSeitzClimateRide.