World Environment Day for a green economy:

Cycling will cool the planet and keep you healthy

By Anuradha KODAGODA

The world is ready to celebrate the World Environment Day, is marked on June 5 every year. The main focus will be climate change which has been a hot topic for the past few years. Climate change is considered the biggest threat that we face with the dawn of the new millennium.

"The theme for this year's World Environment Day is Green Economy: Does it include you? When considering the concept of green economy, as we think the most important factor is the children of our country who we should educate and mould by cultivating the values of love and save the nature which would be a long-term investment to the country as well as to the entire world," said the Chairman, Central Environmental Authority, Charitha Herath.

The UN Environment Program defines the Green Economy as one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities.

In its simplest expression, a green economy can be thought of as one which is low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive.

Practically speaking, a Green Economy is one whose growth in income and employment is driven by public and private investments that reduce carbon emissions and pollution, enhance energy and resource efficiency, and prevent the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services.

These investments need to be catalysed and supported by targeted public expenditure, policy reforms and regulation changes.

"When considering this year's topic, it is obvious that there are two parts. The first undertakes the subject of the Green Economy. This is where some people shut off their minds because they find the concept of the Green Economy a little too complex to understand.

However, we are starting to educate about this concept from school level, which we think would be much more effective. Therefore, in parallel, we have organised an environmental exhibition named 'Soba 2012' which will be showcased for the public on June 5 and 6 at Royal College. Also we have organised a foot bicycle ride named as 'Tour de Green', with the intention of educating people about the green economy concept.

This will be held on June 1. For this cycle parade many politicians, artistes, cricketers and sport stars will be joining and the ride would start from the Mahinda Rajapaksa Nelum Pokuna.

The main reason we hope to use foot bicycles rather than using other comfortable vehicles is to make people aware of the air pollution made from our day-to-day transportation and the energy waste that we make, which is directly harmful for the environment.

The other important aspect that we have to highlight is to make people aware that this may help people lead a healthy life in terms of getting fresh air and it is a good exercise too," he added.

Today biking or cycling has become extremely popular especially in other countries. For example in Denmark, cycling has become famous and a dominating medium of transportation. It is same with Japan too. People are used to travel by cycle to the main sub ways and get public transport which save energy by a high degree and also they are being supportive of the environment protection. Amsterdam is also famous as one of the most bicycle-friendly large cities in the world. In Amsterdam over 60p.c. of trips are made by bikes in the inner city and 38p.c. of trips are made by bikes overall in the greater city area.

When it comes to Sri Lanka, it is a pathetic situation especially considering the consumerism mind-sets that we're already drawn to. Because, we still try to purchase our own vehicle without paying the least attention for global warming or endless traffics on the road due to higher use of vehicles which is not suitable for our country's roads.

We have not spared a thought for these matters and we are just passing the responsibility either to the ministries or relevant authorities without being mindful of our social responsibility. We hate to see the Mount Lavinia beach disappearing. We get worried every day when we sweat, like there is a heat wave passing by. We dread that two thirds of world population, including our neighbours will be suffering from drinking water shortages in 2025. Do we really know that our cars pollute the environment over its lifetime with 59.7 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and 2,040 million cubic metres of polluted air? Also 14p.c. of the world's carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel burning are from our cars? It is simple just to point our finger at another to get rid of the problem, and we have been doing that for the past few decades. But it is time to admit that we are part of the problem.

Therefore, it is essential to think out of the box and start from ourselves and as a beginning if we can skip using any kind of transportation which consumes fuel at least once a week, and cycle one day to work, it would lead to a great beginning for a revolutionary change. Moreover, if we can omit using private vehicles where we can catch a train or a bus once a week, the benefit to society would be enormous.

Though it is a small start, it would be a brand new beginning to us to live better and our next generation.Nevertheless, riding your bike surely will be a liberating experience that will work your lungs, strengthen your heart, and refresh your soul while cooling the planet.

When you feel you are giving back or paying back what you've got from mother nature and you are conscious about not only about your health but your planet's health, isn't it a great feeling as a responsible citizen in the country?