Since Britain was the world’s driving force in the technological and societal changes that brought about the global Industrial Revolution, it can be easily argued that there is an ethical duty for Britain to be the leading inspiration to stop rapid climate change.

Our vision is that by 2022 extensive partnerships will be in place for groups of people to set out from all corners of Britain on a walk to demonstrate their commitment to a zero-carbon economy/culture. Travelling in relays and converging from all directions, the groups will initiate a Great Circle of Britain to firmly establish an unshakeable resolve to transition rapidly away from the fossil-fuel economy/culture in Britain and embrace climate-/eco-friendly solutions.

We envisage that the event will draw support from a wide variety of groups and individuals of all ages, including Transition Towns, businesses, schools and colleges, faith groups, walking groups, writers, musicians, dancers, poets, storytellers, painters, sculptors, actors, industrialists, economists, scientists, agriculturists, zero-carbon transportation supporters, renewable energy enthusiasts, naturalists, historians, health professionals, advocates for social and climate justice, social media networkers, and representatives of political parties from parish council to national government.

Some groups might follow long-distance footpaths or cycle. Some might acknowledge key places, events and people that shaped the Industrial Revolution, such as James Watt’s birthplace in Greenock, or Ironbridge Gorge in Shropshire, but also pay homage to those places and voices along the way that celebrate the low-to-zero-carbon pathway for our world. On each leg of the journey there will be possibilities to create a range of bold climate-change responses to fit each local area’s values and aspirations.