By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Young activists from across the country who are trying to raise awareness for alternative energy kicked off a 1,000-mile bike ride from New Orleans to Dallas Sunday in an effort to promote ways to shift away from a dependence on fossil fuels. The tour took the group through LaPlace Monday as it headed west toward Baton Rouge.

The cyclists, 11 in all, are known as Ride for the Future. The group is working to expose the impacts of the production, refining and consumption of fossil fuels on Gulf Coast communities. At various stops on the tour, which is headed to ExxonMobil’s Dallas headquarters, local pollution and the broader, less predictable consequences of climate change including extreme weather events that harm the health, economy and environment of several communities is the focus.

“We have learned a lot from New Orleans residents, especially those affected by the recent Gulf oil spill,” said rider Skye Kelty, a cancer researcher at Rice University. “People wounded by fossil fuels and the external costs of this industry want their sacrifices to be included in the companies’ ledgers.”

Kelty said the group hopes the ride can help bring about the end of billions of tax dollars being used annually on subsidies for energy companies and put a spotlight on communities transitioning to a secure energy source and a more resilient lifestyle beyond fossil fuels.

“We believe that those subsidies should be redirected to address problems caused by the disproportionately high presence of the fossil fuel industry in the Gulf,” she said. “We’re hoping to push fossil fuel companies to invest in cleaner energy so they can create more sustainable jobs.”

Kelty said various houses of worship in the communities where stops are made host the team for overnight stays. She said the team has a food budget of $5 per person per day. In LaPlace, the team set up shop at First United Methodist Church on U.S. 51. The tour continued to Gonzales Tuesday on its way to Baton Rouge for an extended visit with business owners and community members.

“We have built a good following through both Facebook and Twitter,” Kelty said. “People have been very receptive and completely supportive of our cause. The Louisiana Bucket Brigade and the Sierra Club joined us for events in New Orleans over the weekend.”

Kelty said the group is hoping to wrap up the ride by the end of July. For more information about the project visit rideforthefuture.org.