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COURIER photo/Gabriel Fenoy
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| Fifty-nine-year-old Swiss doctor Martin Vosseler walks along Beaumont Avenue near Redlands on Sunday during his SunWalk 2008 trek across the country. Dr. Vosseler stopped in Claremont the day prior to speak about solar and renewable energy. |
Sun doctor: A man’s 3000-mile trek raises solar-energy awareness
Heading towards the rising sun, Martin Vosseler is a man on a mission. The 59-year-old Swiss doctor began his latest adventure last week—a 3000-mile walk across the country.
From Los Angeles to Boston, Dr. Vosseler is heading east, hoping his journey will teach him about the United States and what Americans are doing in the field of renewable energy
On his coast-to-coast trek, called SunWalk 2008, Dr. Vosseler hopes to raise awareness for the need of solar and other renewable energy sources. He believes that the sun is the answer to the growing energy crisis in the world and plans to share his vision with those he meets along the way.
Armed with a backpack that he wheels behind him and plenty of spirit and endurance, the environmental activist began his trip from the port of Los Angeles last Wednesday.
Two days later, Dr. Vosseler made a pit stop in Claremont where he pitched his tent and spent the night in The Packing House. Speaking to a small group at the Claremont Forum Friday night, Dr. Vosseler explained the idea behind his journey.
“My most burning question is: how can we keep this beautiful planet of ours inhabitable?” he said. “I see the answer in the sun. It helps sustain all life on earth and it can support our energy needs, too.”
Dr. Vosseler hopes to share his depth of knowledge about solar and renewable energy to anyone who will listen and believes that America can lead the way to make renewable energy more efficient.
“The innovative potential of America is unlimited,” Dr. Vosseler said. “This country has proven it over and over again. One great idea can really take off quickly.” (story continues below)
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COURIER photo/Gabriel Fenoy
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| Part of Dr. Martin Vosseler’s cross-country walk includes sharing his knowledge about solar energy and the need for alternative fuels. |
When he reaches Tennessee, he plans to call former Vice President Al Gore and ask if he will join him for a couple of hours on his walk. The two previously worked together at a renewable energy conference in Switzerland where Mr. Gore was the guest speaker.
The pilgrimage will not be the first long journey for Dr. Vosseler. He made a similar trek in Spain many years ago, followed by a walk from Switzerland to Jerusalem in 2001.
Just last year, Dr. Vosseler and 4 colleagues from Switzerland were the first to travel across the Atlantic Ocean in a solar-powered catamaran. The 40-foot vessel carried the men over the sea in about 30 days.
Dr. Vosseler went on a small tour of Claremont the following day before heading off to visit friends in Redlands and then on towards Arizona. He then plans on either braving the cold and snow to visit friends in Colorado or taking the warmer route through New Mexico and Texas. His goal is to reach Boston in less than 8 months.
On Saturday morning, he visited several locations in Claremont that are already putting the sun to good use. His tour guide was Mark VonWodtke, president of Energy Harvester Inc., a renewable energy company in Claremont.
Mr. VonWodtke took him throughout the Village to homes and businesses using solar electric and solar thermal power.
“He was delighted to see the California that he’d been reading about,” Mr. VanWodtke said.
Dr. Vosseler travels light, carrying a tent, some tools, a notebook and extra clothing. For safety’s sake, he has a cellular phone and a GPS radio to be used in cases of emergencies. But deep down, he is not really worried about his safety.
“I don’t have fear. I’ve had the luck of being protected by guardian angels,” he said. “Even if it was my time for some reason, I can’t think of a better way to go!”
—Tony Krickl
