Press release: Local Dutch Caribbean athlete to kayak from St. Martin to Curaçao in 3 weeks leaving on 5 december

November 26th, 2009

NATURE IS LIFE
Unconditionally nature is the most important factor of life. Since 1854 Biologist Charles Darwin was teaching us that we are all part of nature’s big chain in his book “On the Origin of Species”. Later on the German philosopher Rudolf Steiner came up with the idea that the whole universe is just one entity, one organ that is Holistically connected. Now some say that the industrialization of the world is just a part of our own evolutionary nature. But the balance is not there. We took more from nature that we gave back. We need to be informed about this “unbalance” of nature and try to stabilize it as quick as possible. There have been many attempts to mend this gap using international agreements on reducing our Carbon Dioxide emission. The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The major feature of the Kyoto Protocol is that it sets binding targets for 37 industrialized countries and the European community for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These amount to an average of five per cent against 1990 levels over the five-year period 2008-2012. The Kyoto Protocol had some issues, as it did not include some heavy polluting developing nations. Upcoming 15 December is the “Copenhagen Climate Change Conference” where the Kyoto Protocol will, hopefully, be adapted to serve Earth’s best interest. The Caribbean is also represented in this conference by the CARICOM. They will present the 1.5-degree concept, saying: “We need 1.5 to stay Alive”. If we don’t take back the world temperature 1.5 degree soon, not only the World, but also the Caribbean will be menaced with floods, droughts, sea level rising and under water extinctions. Some islands, including Jamaica & Trinidad can verify that with their precious corals gone white [Coral Bleaching] due to global warming and other polluting factors. Fortunately there are many organizations that do give a helping hand. The CARMABI foundation [www.carmabi.org] based in Curaçao [Netherlands Antilles] helps by doing researches both on land and specializes in marine researches.

WWW.NATUREISLIFE.ORG
Ryan de Jongh, the known Curaçao athlete and patron of the CARMABI foundation took upon himself to give, thus protect our nature. In this case focusing on the underwater life. He has used his endurance and strength before to bring forward his massage in a couple of heavy challenges, including the “Clearwater Challenge’s” where he would walk, jog, cycle and/or kayak hundreds of kilometers for the preservation of nature and healthy living. Now he is ready to step up again but with a bigger challenge. For the “Clearwater Challenge III” he will be kayaking, starting on the 5th of December, from St. Maarten to Curaçao, 1606 km, in 3 weeks to raise funds for nature preservation and social projects. The Nature is Life Organization has mobilized a lot of local people to support the project but feels that we all have to be part of the solution and wants to reach the world for this good cause because after all, nature is life. “I am putting my life into this. What will you do?”, Ryan comments. Meaning, he will give more than he can ever give into preserving the most valuable factor of life on earth. “By supporting me, you support yourself. It’s also your life.” he says. The kayaking journey consist of visiting the island of St. Maarten, St. Eustatius, St. Kitts, Montserrat, Guadaloupe, Dominica, Martinique, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Granadines, Granada, Blanquilla, Los Roques, Islas de Aves, Bonaire & Curaçao. Go to www.natureislife.org for more info on how to support the cause and be part of the solution. Sponsors already helping are: Inser Air, Curoil, UTS [Chippie], Curaçao Ports Authority, Plaza Hotel Curaçao, Mangusa Supermarkets, EcoEnergy, Claerity Administrations, IDF Internet services, Budget Marines & Curaçao Towage Company. Without this enthusiastic contributing team the project could not be realized. But now we need to raise the funds for CARMABI and the local social projects Ryan de Jongh is leading. Please give us a hand. Financially or just by spreading the word into the world!

WWW.CARIBBEAN.TV
To facilitate the “Nature is life Organization” the newly launched www.caribbean.tv, a video and social networking site, will document the whole trip and bringing you all it’s real-life happenings. The essence of Caribbean.tv is to unite the Caribbean. We, the Caribbean people, tend to forget that we are all one and that great things has come and still comes from the Caribbean. Some examples are: Reggae, Calypso, Soca & Salsa. Or great Nobel Prize winners for example St. Lucia’s Sir Arthur Lewis for Economics and for literature V.S. Naipaul from Trinidad & Tobago. Whether some islands are called “Paradise on Earth” or as a whole: “The cultural melting pot”, it still is just home to us all. We should treat home as our greatest treasure on earth! On www.caribbean.tv we want to put up the positive vibe of the Caribbean. The simplicity of: “Who we are”. Upload your positive messages on video, in pictures or in music. Let the world see our beauty. Advertise now on www.Caribbean.tv and you will be contributing 100% for this cause! Limited spaces available.

Ryan de Jongh
1998                         55km  – Kayaking from playa Kalki to Sea-aquarium, Curaçao
1999                         500km – Cycling nonstop for 30 hours, Curaçao
2000                         116km – Cycling 55km kayaking and 65km jogging 27 hours extreme triathlon, Curaçao
2000                         80km – Kayaking from Bonaire to Curaçao 13 hours, Bonaire
2001                         185km – Kayaking from Curaçao to Aruba 22 hours, Curaçao
2002                         150km – Jogging, walking 2 times around Aruba 23 hours, Aruba
2007                         155km – Kayaking around Curacao 33 hours, Curaçao
2008                         50km – Kayaking 10km cycling 40km walking triathlon, Curaçao

For donations:
“The Ryan de Jongh foundation”
Banko Di Caribe: 304 128 01 (Swift: BDCCANCU)
MCB: 221.303.06 (Swift: MCBKANCU)
RBTT: 10377514  RBTTANCU (swift BIC)

Filed under: Clearwater Challage 3