Climate activist walks 1100 miles round Wales

The partner of a climate activist who died earlier this year after a tragic battle with cancer has nearly completed a 1100 walk around the whole of Wales this summer.

Addie May Swarbrick Schwarz, 32, began her mammoth trek on Saturday May 6 to raise money for climate activism in memory of her late partner. Michael Paulo Dunn, from Worcester, passed away aged 39 on January 24 2023 after a short, cruel battle with Oesophageal cancer.

‘I only have one week of walking left and I don’t want to finish. Walking in Wales has been incredible. The scenery, swimming and kindness of people have held my heart at this deeply sad time. Swimming with mountain views in North Wales was so special it allowed some breaks from the grief’ said Addie.

Michael and Addie met through their activism work with Extinction Rebellion (XR) and took part in actions around Worcestershire, as well as national actions across the country. Michael, with talents in music technology, produced many tracks for XR’s performance art, and combined soundscapes and poetry for COP26 radio. He raised awareness in the local community about sewage pollution, flooding risk due to climate change, and held the county council to account on their action on the climate crisis. With bravery Michael took action in London, climbing five stories up the insurance company Lloyd’s of London. This shut down their offices for the day and contributed to damaging pipeline insurance not being renewed.

‘Michael was the kindest, most generous and thoughtful soul, who always went the extra mile to help people and the planet. He inspired and supported his friends and family, and we all are missing him dearly. Since his passing friends have stepped up and joined XR in London at The Big One. He’s still helping to save the world even now,’ says Michael’s partner Addie May.

Addie embarked on her walk around Wales on the 6th May, made up of Offa’s Dyke, The Wales Coast Path, and scaling Snowdon. The latter being a favourite place of Michael’s, and the couple previously cycled in Gower, Pembrokeshire and holidayed in Monmouthshire. The walk will take 10 weeks, which is tragically the same amount of time that Michael had with us from his terminal diagnosis, despite a 10-18 month prognosis.

‘My favourite places have been Anglesey, Snowdonia, Llyn peninsula and Pembrokeshire. The weather has mainly been great, if a little too hot, but verymixed the last few weeks. And I struggled to find places to camp out of the wind on the Llyn Peninsula. The walking has been relatively easy, but I’ve battled with nasty heat, pollen and jelly fish rashes, an infected foot, and equipment failures. I’ve been lucky to have been looked after, being hosted by climate activists along the way and have appreciated the kindness of strangers making me coffee and offering snacks and ice cream.’ Addie said.

The science is clear in the latest IPCC (intergovernmental Panel Climate Change) report, ‘there is a rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a liveable and sustainable future for all’. The UN and the International Energy Agency (IEA) have called for an immediate end to new fossil fuel exploration and production and an end to fossil fuel subsidies. Yet the UK still are licensing over 100 new oil and gas projects. Recently, wildlife presenter, Chris Packham has called “every last person who cares” about the planet to join Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil.

The money raised from this walk in memory of Michael, will go to XR, Just Stop Oil, and The Climate Emergency Fund, supporting non-violent direct protests and actions to put pressure on government and big business to act on the climate and biodiversity breakdown.

You can donate to Addie’s campaign at: https://chuffed.org/project/climatewalk

Or Google: chuffed climate walk