WASHINGTON D.C. -June 9, 2009: The Climate Ride organization has signed a sponsorship agreement with the Embassy of Denmark to increase support among the American public for the COP15 United Nations Climate Change Conference scheduled for December 7 to 18, 2009 in Copenhagen, Denmark. As part of the sponsorship agreement, the COP 15 Conference will be the "Presenting Sponsor" of the Brita Climate Ride 2009, while Climate Ride will help raise awareness of the upcoming historic international treaty among its participants, sponsors, partners, and the public before and during its annual 'climate conference on wheels' slated for September 26-30, 2009 from New York City to Washington, DC.

"With the COP15 Climate Conference around the corner, we need to see a significant commitment to addressing the threat of climate change and increasing renewable energy options in the U.S.," said Caeli Quinn, Co-Founder and Director of Climate Ride. "This sponsorship will help Brita Climate Ride to grow in the U.S. and to increase public awareness of this historic conference. We're thrilled the government of Denmark has chosen Climate Ride as one of its main vehicles for delivering the message that the United States must be a leader at the COP15. With the Kyoto Protocol expiring in 2012, it's time to step up and set international agreements in place that curb greenhouse gas emissions to stabilize the atmosphere."

The COP15 Conference is the fifteenth Conference of the Parties (COP) under the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and will replace the Kyoto Protocol that was drafted in 1997 and is set to expire in 2012. The COP15 conference will take place from December 7-18, 2009 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The COP is the highest body of the UNFCCC and consists of environmental ministers who meet once a year to discuss the convention's developments. Nearly 200 countries are expected to take part in the proceedings, and at least 10,000 people, including observers, industry groups and non-governmental organizations will be in attendance. The goals of the convention are to stabilize the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at a level that prevents dangerous manmade climate changes, in such a way as to give ecosystems the opportunity to adapt naturally. Food safety must not be compromised and the potential to create sustainable social and economic development must not be endangered.
(more)

"The country of Denmark is inviting the world to participate in the global debate that will take place at the COP15," said Torsten Jansen, Minister Counselor for the Embassy of Denmark. "2009 is a crucial year in the international effort to address climate change, and it will culminate at the COP15 where we hope to shape an ambitious and effective international response to the growing threat of too much carbon in the atmosphere. As part of our outreach efforts, we have selected to sponsor the annual Climate Ride event because it is an excellent way to reach thousands, if not millions, of people who might otherwise not know about the importance of the COP15. This is a grassroots effort, which makes it a perfect match for our goal of reaching out to Americans."

Brita Climate Ride is returning for its second year this September, and registration is now open to 250 cyclists. This year's event will take place September 26-30, 2009, and will once again see hundreds of cyclists pedal beautiful country roads from New York City to Washington, DC. Participants can currently register online at www.climateride.org.  Last year, on September 24th, 2008, during Brita Climate Ride 2008, more than 100 exuberant cyclists rode en masse to the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington D.C. This was the thrilling end to a 300-mile bike ride that began in the heart of New York City and meandered through beautiful countryside in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. As part of the sponsorship from the Danish government, three trips to the COP15 conference will be awarded to young climate leaders participating in a Climate Ride funded fellowship program.

The 2009 ride event raises funds for three hardworking non-profits, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (DC), Clean Air-Cool Planet (Connecticut) and Focus the Nation (Oregon). Brita Climate Ride is the first charity bicycle tour where pedal strokes help raise money and awareness of climate change and hope for a future powered by renewable energy and a green economy. The ride offers people who share a passion for green living and cycling a chance to journey toward making a difference. Like the Climate Riders, Brita, once again the title sponsor, is dedicated to making the Earth a greener place. Thanks to Brita there won't be any empty bottled water containers along the route; the riders are supplied with Brita filtered water in special FilterForGood bike bottles. To learn more about Brita's efforts visit http://www.filterforgood.com. Climate Ride also endeavors to show that the bicycle is the ultimate carbon-free machine and a viable form of transportation. Each Climate Rider fundraises at least $2,400 to participate in Climate Ride 2009. 

About Climate Ride 
The Climate Ride organization was founded by Caeli Quinn, 33, (Whitefish, MT) and Geraldine Carter, 33, (Missoula, MT) to raise money for innovative organizations that are working to educate Americans about the impacts of climate change and engage them in the possibility of a renewable energy-based economy, and to mobilize politicians to enact meaningful climate change and energy policies. During the first event in 2008, Climate Riders represented 30 states and a variety of cycling abilities from novices to competitive cyclists.  For more information, please visit www.climateride.org. Videos, photos and blogs can be viewed at www.climateride.org/blog. For more information or to support a participant, please visit www.climateride.org or call 406.871.5477.

ENN is a media sponsor of the Climate Ride.

Contact Info: Caeli Quinn, Co-Founder & Director, 406/871-5477, caeli@climateride.org
Blake Holiday, Ride Director, 831-359-2786, blake@climateride.org

Website : The Climate Ride organization