Every day, we feel the effects of climate change growing stronger. Our forests are burning, the seas are rising, and people are leaving their homelands to search for new livelihoods. And in many ways, in many places, we’re still pushing our society towards the brink.
At the same time, we’re stirring. People from all walks of life are engaging with big issues and reshaping their communities, transitioning their food and energy and transportation systems to more sustainable models and de-escalating their own consumption.
My name is Forrest Watkins. In 2015, I set out on a world bicycle tour to understand the human impacts of climate change and the energy transition. I traveled around southwestern China and Vietnam, through Central Asia and the Caucasus to southeastern Europe. I attended the 2016 UN Climate Conference in Marrakech with The Verb, biked north through Spain, and flew from Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale. Back in the US, I cycled to San Antonio and then from San Francisco to Seattle to Walla Walla. 60 km short of my destination, I passed the 20,000 km mark–half an earth circumference.
As I went, I learned about the effects of climate change and the energy transition in the communities that I visited, met with people working for a more sustainable and just society, and did my best to pass their stories on to you.
Over the course of my travels, I have become interested in work that increases democratic control over energy systems and brings renewable energy to communities that have been left out of the energy transition.
I hope to continue my tour before long, with a more specific focus on Energy Democracy and the cultural impacts of our changing energy systems.
Check out our Climate Stories and updates from the road.
The tour so far (Completed May 2017):
Click on the green and orange pins to access stories and photo journals–orange bicycles link to updates and photos from the road, while green pins link to other stories and writings. Purple Pins just show my direction of travel.
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Via email: Use the three dots/bars at the top of this page.
360 by bike 
The climate has been changing for 4.5B years. It will change over and over for another 6B years or so. Ask poor farmers what they think about that. Or, if only we could tax the 1 percent, maybe it’ll stay the same for the next 6B years (haha). Ride on.
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Hi Tony
Thanks for your comment. I’ve read and continue to read everything that I can on the subject. My perspective on the science of climate change and humankind’s influence on it align with 97% of climate scientists.
I’m not going to spend the time to debate any further. I’d like to, but I’ve decided to dedicate myself to other aspects of the climate discussion and I just don’t have the time. Sorry.
There are plenty of places on the internet where I’m sure people would happily engage you in discussion.
When I started this project, the first thing I did was read perspectives from all sides of the debate. I watched documentaries and read studies from the skeptics. I did the same for the mainstream scientific community. What I found as I read further was that for every argument denying humans’ influence on the extreme climate change we’re seeing today, I found a more authoritative source refuting it.
I also found that outside the far right wing of the United States, people that dispute anthropogenic climate change were in the extreme minority.
If you’re interested in engaging with ideas that are counter to your own, I would suggest you check out http://www.skepticalscience.com/, as well as the books Plan B 4.0 (free online) and Merchants of Doubt.
All the best,
Forrest
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Scientists of many disciplines have investigated how and why climate has changed since the earth formed. Detailed geochemical evidence in the geologic record shows that sudden natural increases in CO2 and methane have triggered climate warming. The end Permian mass extinction, where over 80% of species died off forever was triggered by a massive increase in CO2 levels associated with an enormous volcanic eruption and natural coal burning event in Siberia.
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The intensity of recent change is so structurally different in its intensity, there are no logical grounds on which to interpret this as part of longtime natural changes: and for this reason it is more accurate to talk about ‘climate disruption’, which is clearly distinct from naturally occurring cycles. Research has also very strongly connected the activities of the human economy to these recent patterns – actually since the late 1800’s. Yes, there are some limitations with some methodologies, but there is widespread triangulation between many numerous methods, by different nationalities, at different times.
Nothing short of widespread systemic change is going to be sufficient to reduce human contribution to the already existing natural cycles (that will also certainly have to be manged irrespective). However, it is highly likely that part of the response will have to be a reduction of disproportionate accumulation by narrow communities, at all scales of analysis: principally, in order to reduce the equally disproportionate impact that such accumulation has on climate disruption.
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Im biker and we have bike tours in Turkey. and also we try our best to help people while tey are passing Turkey with bikes.
Please write me when you need help about route inTurkey.
Kind Regards
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Thanks, will do!
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Forrest- to say that your journey is inspiring doesn’t quite do it justice. Suffice to say, I am astonished by your drive and commitment. Anthropogenic climate change is the #1 issue facing all of us who call the Earth our home. It gives me new hope to see your generation stepping up to educate, raise awareness and work towards solutions. I have faith that together, we can have a meaningful impact on all of creation, for all of the generations to come! In Solidarity, Mark Lindberg
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Thanks, Mark! I’m trying to do my part in a way that also gives me the skills and experience to be effective in my work. Thanks for standing with those looking for solutions.
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i notice your tips at Yunnan province China.i like riding too,and i’m admire you.i wonder what’s your location now.I’m a student from Tianjin,and will go to Hunan,my collage.if you want back China again,you can contacte by telephone 15022082310.Do you know an app named QQ？ifyou have account of it ,you can add me 2584023771.
i wish you have a good journey,and make your dream come true
董炜喆
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Hi! I’m now back in the U.S., working at a social enterprise called Solstice (solstice.us). We’re trying to make solar energy available for every person in America. I hope I’ll be able to go back to China at some point and do some more bicycling. I know QQ but I don’t have an account anymore (I lost my password). Where will you be going to school? I taught at 吉首大学师范学院 for one year. Have you heard of it?
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is that吉首 located at湖南Province？i will go to Hunan university of science and technology. It’s delighted to get your reply.hope you have an good mood on your work.If you find a man,have 190cm high,and with a black Giant tcr road bike.it’me
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Yes, that’s the one! I really liked it there. Good luck with your studies, I hope to meet you one day!
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