Luke Logemann

This coming May I will be running the half marathon version of the Great Ocean Running Festival. This will be my first race since 2017, and I'm really excited to be back at it again. I'm 7-years-older and my body is definitely responding differently to the training this time around.

I've decided to also spend this time sober. Partly for my training, but mostly for my overall health. I started at the top of February, and by the time I'm done, it will be my longest sober streak by a long shot. I am more and more sober curious, and I already feel less daunted by the idea of being substance-free in less than a month.

I would like to use this time of discipline and training to raise funds and create awareness of an environmental cause I am very passionate about. For years, Greenpeace, alongside some very brave individuals and communities, have been fighting Woodside and their increased efforts to mine our oceans for fossil fuels.

Woodside plans to drill up to 80 gas wells along the coast of WA in some of the world’s most biodiverse waters - including 50 wells around Scott Reef.

Right now the Federal Government is considering whether to approve this massive gas project that would do unthinkable harm to our oceans and our climate. In a world that feels on a devastating collision course with climate change, it is disgusting that our governments are even considering letting this happen.

Australia has one of the worst climate change records in the world. In 2022, the Climate Change Performance Index, published by Germanwatch, the NewClimate Institute, and the Climate Action Network with input from 450 climate and energy experts and campaigners, found Australia was ranked 55th on a list of 63 countries and country groupings. The year prior, we were 59th out of 59. 

While plenty of different factors contribute to that, we all need to try and force our leaders to do better. Something like mining our precious oceans for gas is just big impact, low hanging fruit we can all hope to do something about.

None of us want this, and none of us benefit from it. By donating to Greenpeace's court battle against Woodside, we can help them in their fight. And by signing the petition, we can show the government that this is not something any of us actually want to happen.

I figured given I have the privilege of running on the Great Ocean Road, it would make sense to try and raise funds for our oceans.

By sponsoring me to train and stay sober, you can help keep me accountable and inspired, and also help Greenpeace in their legal battles to try and protect our marine life (and ourselves) from Woodside and their disregard for the planet.

Petition (and more information) is here: https://www.greenpeace.org.au/act/woodside-campaign