Tassie scientist Annie Ford shares 4000km journey online to beat carbon emissions

Tassie marine scientist Annie Ford’s interstate leg of her 4000km grand bike journey has begun – and with each pedal, she hopes to inspire others to walk a greener path. Watch the video.

Marine Scientist Annie Ford ahead of the Save Southern Sea Film Tour at Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

Tasmanian marine scientist Annie Ford has just left state soil, embarking on a 60-day, 4000km journey to showcase a different way of travel – cross-country cycling.

A voice featured in Surfrider’s new documentary Southern Blast, Ms Ford made the decision and conscious effort to travel to each screening as it tours Australia by bike, leaving Cockle Creek in late September to reach the final showing in Queensland in early December.

“The whole idea behind it was to highlight to people the ways in which we can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels,” she said.

“I’m also having the best time and enjoying seeing the parts of my home state and connecting with locals.”

Keeping a field of fans on social media engaged, Ms Ford makes daily updates on her journey, tallying the amount of carbon saved compared to travel by car – the 15-day Tasmanian leg saved around 195kg of carbon emissions.

@annieford_ Can’t believe this is happening! 4000kms ahead of me for a Surfrider film tour “Southern Blast”. It’s going to be a wild ride and I can’t wait to get started. Day 1 was very chill, cruising towards Hobart for the film premiere on the 8th October! I left late in the morning and made it to Dover - a cute little fishing village with friendly people! Up the Huon Valley tomorrow! Day 1: 51 kms. 11 kgs carbon saved. Total: 51 kms. 11 kgs carbon saved. Thanks to these leeegends who I wholeheartedly stand behind and adore @Santa Cruz Bicycles, @SRAM MTB, POC Sports and @Patagonia ♬ original sound - annieford_

Despite Ms Ford’s athleticism as a world champion mountain biker, avid surfer and world record holder for descending the most vertical on a bicycle, the journey will still be a physical and mental battle.

“Honestly, it’s a long time but the journey is flying by and each and every day – I have this deep immersion in each day,” Ms Ford said.

Part of the marine scientist’s journey has included advocating for Southern Blast’s message on seismic blasting in Australian waters and ways in which people can make a difference environmentally – her eye on transport.

“The best way people can reduce their emissions is to actively think and adapt their lives in little ways,” Ms Ford said.

“So many of us know how to ride a bike and learnt in our childhood – it’s easy to change your commute from a drive to biking to work – whether it’s a few metres or hundreds of kilometres.”