A DISTRICT councillor for Dursley is to embark on a six-week expedition in the Pacific Ocean with her teenage son – visiting a series of islands that are badly affected by climate change.

Doina Cornell, 47, of Everlands in Cam, is used to being at sea, having sailed around the world for more than half of her childhood.

Now, following a sailing trip last year across the Arctic Ocean with her daughter Nera, Doina will take Dan, 13, on a tour of several pacific islands under threat from changes in the earth’s atmosphere.

Setting off early on July 9, Doina and Dan will fly to New Zealand from London, followed by another flight to Samoa where they will meet their boat.

Over the course of several weeks they will visit Tokelau, Tuvalu and Vanuatu, three islands that are extremely threatened by global warming and its effect of raising the world’s sea levels.

“Climate change is not something that is an abstract thing to these people. It’s something they can see every day,” she said.

“Whether it’s flooding or the impact of sea water on their soil making it more difficult to grow the crops they depend on, these problems are a big issue.”

Doina hopes that they can offer support to people on the islands who may feel they go unnoticed by the world’s major powers.

“We want to offer a message of support – to be able to say ‘we know you’re here and we are listening – and we’ll do our bit’.”

After taking her daughter on a voyage though the Arctic last summer Doina promised she would take Dan somewhere hot.

Doina continued: “He’s really excited about the trip and seeing the pacific. But he’s also very excited about seeing New Zealand because he’s a big fan of the Lord of the Rings films and that’s where they were shot.”

The pair will be on a boat with just two other crew members and will, between some of the islands, be at sea for several days at a time.

As well as being a district councillor Doina runs Cornell Sailing Ltd, who run sailing events across the globe.