The mayor of Cardigan handed a bilingual “message of hope”, for COP26 delegates, to a local climate activist who is making the journey to Glasgow by bike.

Peter Weldon is cycling 400 miles to Glasgow from his home in Cardigan, in time for the UN Climate Change Conference UK 2021 (COP26), which is taking place from 31 October to 12 November.

On Saturday, 23 October, “climate activists and well wishers bearing flags and banners” turned out in the town centre to watch Mayor Debra Griffiths “present a bilingual letter containing a message of hope from the people of Cardigan to the delegates” at COP26.

A spokesperson for XR Cardigan said: “The letter contained the sincere wishes that the COP26 delegates will commit to measures that will keep the world on a path to limit global warming to the 1.5 degrees aspiration agreed in Paris in 2015.”

Peter, who is treasurer to Velo Teifi and an Extinction Rebellion supporter, received the letter “with a heart-felt speech”.

Speaking at the event: “In a year plagued by severe floods, wildfires, and heatwaves, the need act on climate change has never been more urgent.

“The time for decisive action is overdue. Governments have a duty to protect the lives and wellbeing of their citizens.”

Peter is hoping to start his long journey on either Wednesday, 27 or Thursday, 28 October, and hopes to average between 50 to 70 miles a day with the aim of stopping in Machynlleth for his first overnight stop.

Along his route, Peter will be engaging with communities to raise awareness of the climate crisis.