On the 22^nd of September, British born Paul Coleman (52) and his Japanese wife Konomi Kikuchi will begin walking from Hong Kong To Beijing, joining China efforts to Green The Olympics.・This walk will finish in August 2008 when the Olympics begin and is expected to draw considerable attention throughout China and the region.

This 3000 kilometer walk comes on the heels of last years Earthday Friendship Walk that received great popular, and governmental support as the couple made their way through China, Korea and Japan in an effort to unite the environmental movements of the three nations. In Beijing they were warmly welcomed by Mr. Li Yucai, China Vice Minister of Forestry, whose department arranged tree planting events, and by members of the Dongsi Olympic Community and Olympic Committee, who received them into the city with a press conference that propelled the couple into the Chinese limelight. In the welcoming ceremony, Sheri Liao, the representative of the Environment Office of Beijing Olympic Committee stated: "Paul Coleman feat is the most powerful support for Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, and it is also a great contribution to global peace and environmental protection."

The fact the Coleman is British and that London will hold the next Olympic Games in 2012, has not gone unseen. Last year, Joan Walley, MP entered a motion into the British Houses of Parliament supporting his efforts to help create a Green Olympics・for China and the UK. "This House welcomes the growing support for a Green Olympics in Beijing in 2008; supports Paul Coleman in his efforts to raise awareness of this; applauds the ambitious plans for the London Olympic developments; urges all developers and planners to take a very progressive attitude towards incorporating green technologies, sustainability and energy efficiency in preparations for 2012; and acknowledges the benefits of this for British industry, design and the environment.

Coleman, is no stranger to trotting around the planet. Since 1990, when he walked from Canada to South America to draw attention the destruction of the worlds forests and the first United Nations Earth Summit he's walked over 44,000 kilometers through 39 nations. He began that first two year continent spanning walk with just enough money for a month, and for his efforts received the support of tens of thousands of people. In Mexico his support extended all the way to the President who provided him with a Federal Police Escort and a profile that led to the planting of over 1,000,000 trees. In 1995, he walked into Sarajevo during its three-year siege, planted a tree for peace and addressed the Sarajevo General Assembly, on the impact of war on our natural environment. He's planted trees with Prime Ministers, been chased by an Elephant, arrested no less than ten times, shot at, shelled, and in Zambia almost died of Malaria. Recently he married Japanese Author Konomi Kikuchi, who wrote a book about his life and now walks with him.

The Greening The Olympics・walk, from Hong To Beijing begins at Kadoorie Farm in the New Territories of Hong Kong and is supported by a wide variety of organizations including the Culture Of Peace United Nations Peace Messenger Initiative which Paul Coleman represents as an Ambassador.

For More Information: Tel. Hong Kong +852-2984-0094 or +852-2984-7578.

E: Mail earthwalkerpc@yahoo.co.jp

2006 Media Coverage In Beijing:

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200602/11/eng20060211_241913.html

http://www.gotoread.com/2002/mymag/article.asp?newid=A55D7928-B746-41C9-B5FA-1165E1103F05

http://newsphoto.chinadaily.com.cn/app/detail.asp?ID=187222

http://env.people.com.cn/GB/1072/4094097.html

http://www.ldwb.com.cn/template/23/file.jsp?aid=12565

http://www.holistichongkong.com/Articles/The-Journey-Of-An-Earthwalker.html

EDM 601
GREEN OLYMPICS AND THE EARTHWALKER'S CAMPAIGN 17.12.2007

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