May 1, 2024

This British violinist traveled through Iraq during his carbon-neutral trip to COP27. We interviewed him

As transportation need is expected to increase in the coming decades, efforts are underway to minimize the sectors emissions and ultimately reach low-carbon transportation. Can one motivating story truly make a difference against all of this?

” Its a truly bizarre COP. Im here to encourage individuals and push from the outdoors however any attempts to do that have been declined,” he said in an interview.

Its not only fossil fuel lobbyists and country agents at the COP27 environment modification conference in Egypt. There are likewise people trying to make a distinction by setting an example. Take Dan Hodd, for example.

Like many others, Hodd points out that this years greatest environment conference does not seem to be fertile land for development.

He likewise explains that paradoxically, the city where the conference is hosted (Sharm El Sheikh) is truly not a very climate-friendly one, especially when it comes to transport.

” You require to use to do a demonstration 36 hours in advance and lot of times they are declined. This includes up to the challenges of moving the city, which is not designed to walk or cycle. I only had one possibility to make music, its heartbreaking.”

Hodd is a British violinist currently at COP where he showed up as part of a sustainable, ten-year tour around six continents. Hes always taking a trip by train, bicycle, or hitchhiking to lower his carbon emissions. I overtook him and asked him about his task.

Image credit: Fermin Koop.

The power of example

Initially from Brighton, on the south coast of the UK, Hodd holds a bachelors degree in music and a masters in music psychology. His household never ever had a vehicle, so he has constantly had a strong connection with alternative methods of transport, such as biking. After graduating, Hodd chose to check out the world while doing it as sustainably as possible.

Despite all this work, he does not actually feel like hes making a difference. He has some very severe words about whats going on in Egypt.

You d expect Hodd to fall into this category.

After going to COP25 in Spain and COP26 in the UK, Hodd wished to make his method to the COP27 venue (in Egypt) from Spain. However, this was more challenging than anticipated. He spent months planning his path and lastly discovered the best choice was very first reaching Iraq by train, then hitchhike through Kuwait, and finally take a ferry through the Red Sea to Sharm El Sheikh.

Hodd is a British violinist presently at COP where he arrived as part of a sustainable, ten-year trip around six continents. Originally from Brighton, on the south coast of the UK, Hodd holds an undergraduate degree in music and a masters in music psychology. After participating in COP25 in Spain and COP26 in the UK, Hodd wanted to make his method to the COP27 location (in Egypt) from Spain. For Hodd, his project carries on when COP27 surfaces.

Hes been at COP27 for over a week and planning to stay up until completion of this Friday. He has two film directors from the Netherlands following him around for a future documentary of his journey while also working together with Extinction Rebellion and Scientist Rebellion. Hes been attending occasions at COP and states to be annoyed over the lack of real climate action so far.

Traditionally, COPs are not practically high-end negotiation, though thats clearly the core element. Activists, scientists, and people who have essential stories to tell frequently utilize this occasion to make their voices heard and make a distinction versus environment change.

” I have actually been having a hard time to feel hopeful in this COP. Its the most dismaying one Ive been to. I feel helpless. Loss and damage is on the table however it appears they want to put it under the rug, all occurring behind closed doors. Its very difficult to learn what is going on. There are death warrants being signed at this conference. There are people in suits that are signing death warrants for tens of millions of individuals in the next 20 to 30 years. They are choosing capital gains over human lives.”

Take Dan Hodd.

Image credit: Fermin Koop.

Its been 6 years and 65 nations ever since, and Hodd desires to continue for another 4 years, hoping to reach a total of 100 nations– always without flying. Hes done a full tour of the UK and has actually likewise been to Spain, France, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, the Caribbean (hitchhiking in cruising boats), and more just recently the Islamic world, his “brand-new fascination.”

Its tough to disagree with him. So far the conference hasnt revealed any indicators of dedication from abundant countries to tackle the environment crisis, which worsens and even worse– specifically for developing countries. For Hodd, his task continues when COP27 finishes. He is preparing to go to Cairo initially, take trains down the Nile and get in touch with a ferry in Sudan.