Please Assist Me Take My Journalism Journey Setup To The Subsequent Stage

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On this submit, I’m sharing a fundraiser that may drastically enhance what I’m doing for readers right here. By getting out and overlaying vital cleantech information, we will make a a lot larger distinction in 2024, however I’m going to wish some extra assist to make a greater journey setup that higher meets my wants.

My Purpose

I like doing freelance writing and pictures work. It’s versatile, and whenever you discover the best folks to work with, you may make a distinction on issues that matter. However, there’s not some huge cash on this trade. Sadly, regardless of working to advance issues like EVs, George Soros and Klaus Schwab aren’t sending me any checks. Sorry, FUDsters! I actually want I used to be!

Sadly, CleanTechnica simply doesn’t have the cash to place us all on airliners, e book fancy lodge rooms, and purchase meals in order that we will cowl each story that issues in an in-depth method. The automotive trade does often throw a giant celebration for journalists and pays their technique to get there and canopy them, however that doesn’t occur fairly often. Plus, there are many little guys who want protection however might by no means afford that. So, vital tales like the next simply don’t get the protection they need to:

• Small and progressive automotive producers
• New clear vitality initiatives
• Charging infrastructure critiques and testing
• New car reveals and testing prototypes
• Small companies adapting cleantech to do progressive issues
• Utilizing e-bikes to take a look at epic locations (and convey you all some good images again)
• Cleantech occasions and commerce exhibits

We do our greatest to cowl this stuff, and do make it out to a few of them, however not all of them. So, I’ve been working for the final yr on fixing this downside, largely by working to remove airfare, lodge, and meal prices. Readers have helped with this, and I actually recognize it.

My first swing at this final yr was a DIY cargo trailer loaded with “glamping” gear, and readers helped rather a lot with that (on high of much more cash I scraped up). This was helpful for some check journeys, however taking a look at different journeys I really want to take, there’s often not a very good place to arrange camp that’s each protected and protected against theft if I need to depart the camp. There’s considerable public lands within the western US, however something east of about Texas and it’s virtually all personal.

I might lease house in a safer RV park on most journeys, however if you happen to’re doing setup and take-down work on a campsite, they typically need you there earlier than dinnertime. Plus, it takes numerous time to take down within the morning, so there’s a delayed departure.

If you’re towing a trailer with an EV, all of this actually messes issues up. Between charging occasions (that you just do extra of pulling a trailer), the truth that I drive a Bolt, and the time limitations (having to reach earlier than it’s late if I’m utilizing a tent setup), I can’t cowl that many miles in a day. On lengthy journeys, that might make issues very a lot untenable.

To get round all of those issues, I have to get a small and light-weight hard-sided journey trailer. If I do this, I’ll have the ability to camp free of charge in lots of retailer parking heaps (and never fear about somebody shoving a knife into the aspect of a popup). Extra importantly, I can get in late, after which depart early with minimal fuss. This would depart EV charging as my solely journey expense, as a result of I can sleep in it and prepare dinner meals inside identical to at house.

To maintain gas and charging prices down as a lot as doable, I’m planning to get an Aliner camper. Aliners fold down like a cloth-side popup, however have arduous aspect panels (which solves the issue). The aim for my GoFundMe fundraiser is ready to purchase one of many firm’s higher choices: the Aliner Evolution. It has a bathe inside so I might be presentable on enterprise journeys. If I can’t hit that aim, there are cheaper choices just like the Aliner LXE (smaller, however with the all-important bathe) or a used Aliner of both type, or one other with a bathe.

In different phrases, I’ll have the ability to do one thing even when I don’t hit the highest aim. If you happen to all are actually cool and we shoot previous the aim, I’ll maintain no matter’s left and use it for gasoline or charging on the primary few journeys (and doubtless go on extra of them that means).

I’m hoping to get this aim met ASAP as a result of the primary tales I actually need to chase are taking place in February and March. Thanks upfront for something you are able to do to assist! Please donate if you happen to can or share this on social media if you happen to can’t.

Yow will discover the fundraiser right here!

Featured picture by Jennifer Sensiba and Aliner.