Search for 2023 bicycle-friendly cities, workplaces, and establishments is on

BY CLIMATE REALITY PROJECT PHILIPPINES

Aug 1, 2023 04:45 AM

  

---

Public nominations for this year’s Mobility Awards are now open. Citizens, workers, and consumers can now nominate bicycle-friendly cities, workplaces, and establishments in the country.

The Mobility Awards is the first citizen-led, incentive-driven campaign encouraging the public to recognize acts of leadership by cities, private companies, and employers to do more for better, safer, and more accessible mobility for the 88 percent of Filipino households who do not own cars.

“We are challenging Filipino citizens to name cities, business leaders, and employers worthy to be recognized, and we are challenging laggards to do more. This year, all Philippine cities will be competing; it would be good to see whether there are new cities, businesses, and employers who have taken on and made bold improvements to do more for the cycling commuters,” said Celine Tabinga, national coordinator of the Mobility Awards.

“We are looking for leaders who are enabling breathable air, moving more people, and are doing more to help reduce dependence from fossil fuels.”

Similar nominations are also open for individuals under the Padyak Power to the People! Awards, namely Siklista ng Bayan and Padyak Champion categories.

“Aside from recognizing entities paving the way for a more inclusive and sustainable mobility system, this year’s Awards also wish to celebrate hardworking Filipinos using bicycles in their everyday lives. These include innovative entrepreneurs using bicycles or cargo bikes for their businesses, and outstanding cyclist messengers and delivery riders,” said Nazrin Castro, manager of The Climate Reality Project Philippines. “These people experience firsthand the challenges brought by a car-centric approach to urban mobility. Despite this, they continue to serve our homes. Their stories must be told.”

Public nominations, which will be open until Sept. 7, 2023, can be submitted through mobilityawards.ph/nominate. The awardees will be announced in October in advance observance of World Cities’ Day.

The Mobility Awards is jointly organized by the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, MNL Moves, The Climate Reality Project Philippines, 350 Pilipinas and Pinay Bike Commuter Community, in partnership with League of Cities Philippines and 28 regional partners across the country. The initiative aims to inspire action, involvement, and coordination among local government units, workplaces, and commercial establishments aiming to improve conditions for urban mobility.

In addition to its individual and bicycle-friendly awards, the Mobility Awards is currently running the Bilang Siklista in major cities nationwide. Bilang Siklista is a citizen-led national bicycle count that aims to provide evidence-based justification for investing in better bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. Counts have so far been conducted in San Juan City, Quezon City, Pasig City, Marikina City, Baguio City, Mandaluyong City, Davao City, Taguig City, and Cebu City.

ELEVENTH HOUR: 8 simple ways to invest in our planet

Change starts at home; it starts with planting a seed of information that everyone can be part of the solution. 

BY CLIMATE REALITY PROJECT PHILIPPINES

Apr 20, 2023 03:41 AM

  

---

For many years now, the scientific community has painted a grim scenario of what the future holds if the world fails to act with the urgency and scale needed to address the climate crisis.

To ensure a livable future, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said that global emissions must fall by 43 percent by 2030 compared to 2019 levels.

While individual actions matter, what will ultimately save our only home, the Earth, from deterioration are systemic changes across the energy, transport, forestry, and other sectors, and the adoption of low-emission or zero-carbon pathways.

This is why we need to band together to demand our leaders and decision-makers both in the public and the private sector to shift from the current extractive, carbon-intensive, and exploitative economic system to a sustainable and low-carbon economic system.

But everyone has to start somewhere somehow. And to jumpstart your journey of being an environmental and climate warrior, here are a few tips:

First, if you can, shift to reusable and eco-friendly products.

Start your green journey with using eco-friendly products.

Expand your list of reusable and eco-friendly home items from eco-bags, tumblers, and bamboo straws to shampoo bars, all-natural tooth powder, and refillable beauty and care products. Imagine the tonnage of waste, especially plastics, that can be avoided by shifting away from single-use and investing in more sustainable home items.

Second, if you can find a space, grow your own food.

If possible, and if you have the space, you can grow your own food.

Start saving the seeds of your favorite fruit and vegetable, and plant them in your backyard, pocket or vertical garden, or even in small containers or pots. Adding edible plants to your home jungle can help protect the health of your soil, reduce your own carbon footprint, and live more self-sufficiently.

Third, use active and renewable transport.

Cycling is both good for the environment and your health.

Cycling to work, to school, or to run errands is good for your heart and health. The world we live in today will never be the same in the future because of climate change. While we still have the time, cycle going to local cafes and shops, in parks, or in places that bring childhood memories.

Both the government and private sector must work together to invest in end-of-trip facilities and bicycle-friendly infrastructure like safe bicycle lanes and public parking spaces to encourage more Filipinos to cycle and walk.

Fourth, join the call for a renewable energy transition.

It's time for renewable energy, which can be sourced from the sun and wind.

We need to view renewable energy development not just from an environmental or climate standpoint, but from an economic standpoint as well. Many studies and experts are saying that renewable makes good economic sense here in the Philippines, where most electricity is sourced from dirty, expensive, and imported fossil fuels.

Renewable energy will bring down our electricity rates, allow for grid stability and fewer brownouts, provide energy access for all Filipinos, especially those living in communities not connected to the grid; create more jobs, and ultimately result in healthier for the people and planet.

Fifth, share the reality of climate change and the urgency of acting now with your family, friends, and colleagues.

Talk to your family and friends about the urgency of climate action.

Change starts at home. It starts with planting a seed of information that everyone can be part of the solution — may it be changing our own personal lifestyle to be more mindful consumers, writing to your local government leader to support a policy banning single-use plastics, or discussing with a private business owner the opportunities of installing solar panels.

Sixth, protect your mental health.

To combat eco-anxiety, take a breather, such as walking in nature.

The impacts of climate change and the anxiety of climate inaction from our leaders are putting a strain on people’s mental health. When everything feels overwhelming, breathe and reconnect with nature by hiking, swimming in rivers and lakes, walking in the park, or tending to your edible home garden.

Seventh, find local climate and environmental causes to support.

Volunteer your time and effort to contribute to saving the planet.

Be involved in your community. Learn about the climate and environmental issues in your city or municipality. Find local organizations supporting environmental protection and climate action in your city or municipality. Whenever possible, volunteer your time and talent to help make the local climate and environmental initiatives a success.

Lastly, join a climate change / environmental group.

It takes teamwork and a collective voice to truly have an impactful stand for the planet.

Find a community or group that will support your climate and sustainability journey and will help you become a better advocate.

Fighting for our planet is not something you should do alone. You are not alone. We cannot work in silos. We should come together and create dynamic synergies in climate action so that we can build replicable, scalable, and sustainable projects, programs, and practices.

Collectively, our voice is stronger. You have many roles to play — from grassroots mobilizers, educators and influencers, to policymakers and project implementers in your own right.