Bangalore, Oct 22 (IANS) A group of environmentally conscious Bangaloreans will take to cycling Saturday to observe International Day of Climate Action.
The bicycle rally will start from Cubbon Park in the heart of the city and will cover a distance of eight kilometres before ending at Cubbon Park again. The rally will pass through important city landmarks like Trinity Circle, Ulsoor Lake, Commercial Street, Indian Express Building and Vidhana Soudha.
The event is a part of 350.org, an international campaign dedicated to building a movement to unite the world around solutions to the climate crisis -- the solutions that science and justice demand.
As a part of the campaign on climate change 350.org is calling Oct 24 International Day of Climate Action.
"On the day people from 152 countries, in nearly 3,000 unique events, will take a stand for a safe climate future and spread the message. In Bangalore we are holding the cycling rally," Ananth, a coordinator of the event, told IANS.
Explaining why Bangalore decided to host the cycling event as a part of the day, Ananth said cycling is the best way to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and save the environment.
"Vehicles contribute nearly a third of all carbon dioxide emitted. Any solution that seeks to reduce emissions is incomplete without cycling being a part of it. What better way to raise consciousness about the number 350 than to use a Biking rally to do it?," asks Ananth.
Explaining what 350 stands for, Deepak Rajanna, another coordinator of the event, said that it was the most important number in the world.
"It's what scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Two years ago, after leading climatologists observed rapid ice melt in the Arctic and other frightening signs of climate change, they issued a series of studies showing that the planet faced both human and natural disaster if atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide remained above 350 parts per million," said Deepak.
The event is a collaborative effort of the bikers of Bangalore, various cycling clubs like Bums on the Saddle (BOTS) and Bangalore Bikers Club (BBC). These cycling clubs have been instrumental in spreading awareness about the role of cycling in a sustainable urban setup.
All the cyclists will wear bibs stating the common goal of 350!