TWA's WEDD emits the new mantra; De-Carbon Your Life; De-Carbon Dharamsala
Comment by the Secretary-General on the day of grassroots global action on climate change - 10 October 2010
"I am heartened by the countless citizens who participated yesterday in a day of grassroots global action on climate change. Communities around the world have made it clear they are concerned about the threat of global warming, and are already moving ahead with practical measures to help build a safer, healthier tomorrow for our children. I encourage governments to heed the example set by their citizens, and to take the actions needed to address the climate challenge through bold, visionary leadership."
Dharamsala, 10.10.10, 10 am ; The Women's Environment and Development Desk (WEDD) of the Tibetan Women's Association (TWA) spearheaded a local initiative to combat the carbon crisis threatening planet earth and its inhabitants. At a 'Mass Cycle Rally', 35 cyclists comprised of a heterogeneous group of men, women and children of different nationalities donned Climate T-shirts and badges carrying the message 'It is time for Climate Justice'. They peddled through the streets and terrain of Mcleod Ganj, Dharamsala.
Ten Buddhist nuns flagged off the rally at the famous Mcleod Square. The cyclists headed to the landmark Bhagsu Waterfall and ended at the Temple of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This initiative aimed to encourage local participation in environmental conservation efforts and give voice to the Tibetan people in this age of global warming. The cycling event sent out a strong message to our people to leave smaller carbon footprints in our daily lives.
The significance of this rally is to remind people of alternative means of transportation which can help save our planet from global warming and the ultimate extinction of plant and animal life. Bicycles do little to degrade the environment. They create no noise, no stink, no pollution, and no congestion. They do not require massive highways or extensive parking areas. In a collision, they are unlikely to kill, and a cyclist can more easily avoid an accident. It provides economic, ecological, and environmental benefits over other forms of transportation. Cycling has become a trend in cities like Amsterdam, Copenhagen, London and Dublin.
Therefore TWA's WEDD sends out a strong message to local people to join the race to a lower carbon future and to change the world one mile at a time by choosing Bicycles as a mode of transportation.
Environmental activists all over the world focused on making 10/10/10 as widespread, beautiful and powerful as possible to decrease carbon emissions. A highlight of this day was in Japan where sumo wrestlers cycled to their wrestling practice in downtown Tokyo. In San Pedro Garza Garcia, Mexico, students handed over solar-powered lights to families who are still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Alex ( June 2010).
The 'De-carbon Dharamsala Drive' is one among the 6127 carbon-cutting events that took place in 187 countries on October 10, 2010.