PRACTICE what you preach.
So does European Union (EU) Ambassador Franz Jessen who gets on his bike to champion the cause for lowering carbon emission to the atmosphere and counter climate change.
Jessen said the EU has made a commitment to lower carbon emissions by 40 percent by 2030 as compared to 1990 levels.
Together with First Secretary Jerome Riviere of the EU Delegation and Marc Rooijackers of the Asian Development Bank, Jessen biked 50 kilometers around Bohol over the weekend alongside local bikers.
This was the first time that Jessen pedaled around the premier tourist island destination.
Together with other ambassadors and diplomats, he previously biked more than 200 kilometers in Guimaras and Palawan to propagate his campaign for clean air.
To further stress the importance of the environment, Jessen participated in a mangrove activity in Panglao, where he was welcomed by Atty. Kathyrin Fe Pioquinto of the Office of Governor Arthur Yap and discussed vital issues affecting Bohol’s several islands.
He also met with Tagbilaran Mayor Baba Yap and Governor Yap himself with Riviere and Rooijackers receiving a similar warm welcomed by officials of the Holy Name University. Riviere talked about EU Philippines relations with the university’s political science students and management officials, who expressed interest in participating in the upcoming European Higher Education Fair.
Riviere had a chance to see the quality products of Escuella Taller as he commended the institution for providing educational opportunities for the youth.
CYCLING AND THE ENVIRONMENT
EUROPEANS regard cycling as the most energy efficient mode of transportation with a great potential to reduce fuel consumption and enhance living conditions in any city, municipality or province. It can also become a high impact measure to foster energy-efficient transport patterns in countries without an active or stable cycling culture.
It introduced the concept of Velomai, a campaign to promote the use of the bicycle as a healthy—and sustainable—mode of transport to commute to work.
Cycling is the best way to exercise and to remain fit, and at the same time, it reduces pollution through noise and exhaust emissions—and reduces congestion problems.
The concept of bicycles originated in the EU. The prototype of the bicycle was developed by French craftsman, Comte Mede de Sivrac in the 1790s, while Baron Karl Drais von Sauerbronn, a German nobleman patented his Draisine in 1817. The concept called bicycle evolved through the years until the current period.
Image credits: Contributed Photo