Reverse Climate Change Swim

Bali, Indonesia
December 10, 2007

December 10, 2007 Bali-based environmental and humanitarian ocean swimmer Monte Monfore will swim seven kilometers from Serangan Island to Nusa Dua as part of the December 3-14 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Bali.

Continuing his series of swims promoting the United Nations Millennium Campaign, the American's Reverse Climate Change Swim will focus on Millennium Development Goal number Seven: Ensure Environmental Sustainability, and highlight the serious threat climate change poses to the world's endangered coral reefs. The ocean lover will speak about the "dying ocean" and the steady decline he has witnessed over the last 15 years. As a solution, Monte and renowned Coral Ecologist, Dr. Thomas J. Goreau, will introduce an innovative reef restoration process called Biorock.

The endurance athlete's Reverse Climate Change Swim message is that the responsibility to fight global warming lies not only with business and government. The collective behavior of earth's six billion plus inhabitants has a huge impact. Monte will encourage people around the world to make individual efforts to reverse climate charge by reducing their carbon footprints. The swimmer will invite others to "join the growing chorus of citizens worldwide becoming part of the Green Generation." Beach banners will offer "reduce your carbon footprint" advice, list the UN Millennium Development Goals, and display slogans such as One Ocean One World, Save the Reefs, Take Care of Mother Earth, Save the Rain Forests, Think Green - Live Green, etc.

In addition to swimming to raise awareness of ocean conservation and for Indonesian tsunami victims following the December 2004 disaster, in 2006 Monte began swimming in support of the United Nations. The Reverse Climate Change Swim will be the native Californian's sixth UN-related swim in 20 months. Previous events were: May 2006 WFP "Bali Fight Hunger Swim", June 2006 WFP "Yogyakarta Earthquake Relief Swim", October 2006 UNDP/UN Millennium Campaign "Bali Swim for Peace and Against Poverty", May 2007 WPF "Lombok Fight Hunger Swim", and August 2007 UNDP/UN Millennium Campaign "Satu Hati Education Swim".

The Reverse Climate Change Swim is supporting Bali-based Baitul Muslimin Orphanage. Event main sponsor Circle K will present a donation to the children at post-swim press conference. The event will be carbon neutral as trees will be planted by event sponsor American Express to offset event-produced carbon emissions. The humanitarian swimmer will, as per his usual routine, wear a white wrist band during his swim as a symbol of commitment to the Global Call to Action Against Poverty.

Before his swim the athlete will consume five large glasses of a high-calorie drink consisting of ten eggs, protein powder, fruit, yogurt, and peanut butter. To contend with warm ocean water and prevent dehydration Monte will consume a sports drink approximately every 15 minutes. The marathon swimmer strictly obeys the rules of ocean swimming: no wetsuit, no fins, and no touching the support boat.

Monte will dedicate his swim to Mother Earth, announcing "it's all of our responsibility to protect and safeguard this fragile planet for future generations." Two large, endangered green turtles purchased from fisherman will be released to the sea by the athlete and Baitul Muslimin children at end of swim. Starting 9am at Serangan Island, the seven-kilometer, approximately 2-hour swim will finish on Nusa Dua beach in front of event sponsor Westin Resort between 11am and 12pm. Media is requested to be on standby at 10:30am.

Among Monte 2008-2010 events are a swim supporting Bali Community Cares organization for children of HIV/AIDS patients, a Save the Forests Swim with Greenpeace, a Fight Hunger Swim with recently appointed WFP Fight Hunger Ambassador Drew Barrymore, a Water For Life Swim, an Earth Day Swim in Singapore, another Millennium Campaign Swim, a Save the Reefs Swim in Indonesia's Komodo National Park, a Project Red Swim, and a ONE.org Swim.

Donate to hungry children and see swim news, videos, Monte profile, and more at www.monteswimmer.com or www.OneOceanOneWorld.org. To read about UN-related swim events only please search Monte Monfore Millennium Campaign and Monte Monfore Food online.