Bike for Clean Air - The Firefly Brigade
Articles Archive

2007 The 9th Tour of the Fireflies
By Joaquin Yabut
 


The 9th Tour of the Fireflies is simply titled CyClE (Cycle for Clean Environment).  It is simple yet inter-related to many things that affect our lives 24/7. We have strung several concerns that we in the Firefly Brigade believe are closely knit together like the web of life, the same way as Global Warming is essentially linked with our CHOICE to be part of the solution or the worsening problem.

We can CYCLE or CHOOSE to ACT by using our various resources, skills and capabilities for:

  • Clean Energy – In the Clean Air Act, a phrase stands out as a beacon call to all “…promote Non-Motorized Transportation (NMT).” Ergo – the Bicycle.

    • Bike.  Bike to Work.  Bike to School.  Bike to the Mall. Bike around your community and our beautiful country! Integrate the Bike into existing transportation modes and destinations by:
      • Providing bicycle parking in LRT, MRT and Mega Tren stations, bus stations, ferry and shipping ports and airports.

      • Allow and provide incentives for bicycles in trains, buses, ferries, ships and planes

      • Allow and provide bicycle parking in work places, offices, schools and malls.

    • Support the Bill for Renewable Energy which is still pending in the Senate.  This law and its enabling and enforcing powers  will allow our country and our people to tap solar, wind, wave, geothermal and other renewable energies for our domestic needs.  It will lessen our dependence on fossil fuels, save money and the environment.
    • Support the implementation of the Biofuels Act. There are ethanol and other bio-fuel mixes making its way in the market.  If you drive or operate machinery, try these new and eco-friendly products!  We also urge lawmakers and manufacturers to clean our diesel fuel mix by reducing and/or eliminating the addition of deadly sulfur and instead try out less harmful or safer additives.

    • No, we don’t support nuclear energy.  It is dangerous and we cannot guarantee that our safety and maintenance skills can avoid a Chernobyl incident.

  • Clean Enterprises

    • Encourage and reward employees who Bike to Work.  CEOs, Directors and Management may lead the way by starting with one (1) Bike to Work Day a month.

    • Corollary to the above, provide parking facilities, changing, lockers and showers in the workplace for employees who bike.

    • Try providing Bicycle Plans instead of just Car Plans to employees.  Capitalization will be less. 

    • Start or Continue to implement other eco-friendly business practices like:
      • Reducing waste, recycling and re-use of materials and supplies.
      • Energy conservation measures
      • Water conservation measures
      • Using renewable energy sources
      • Waste segregation
      • Eco-friendly packaging

  • Clean Elections

    • A Dream? Yes, and we can make it happen! 

    • Volunteer to various non-partisan citizens’ groups and/or be vigilant in your own locality

    • No, we don’t need flashy Hollywood like posters, catchy (brain numbing) jingles, ridiculous tag lines and worn out promises. 

    • Elect candidates who have a clear and proven practice of good governance and pro-environment action.

Each pedal stroke will bring us closer to the hearts, minds and imagination of people who will one day believe that we can make the fireflies come back to the cities and communities we live in.

Thank you for joining and supporting the 9th Tour of the Fireflies and more pedal power to your eco-friendly endeavors!

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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