Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Haven't had any luck in warning the public about global warming? Try throwing an event on a date deemed to be the luckiest in a millennium.
State Minister for the Environment Rachmat Witoelar promoted commuting by bike to raise public awareness to combat global warming, making use of Saturday's momentous 'lucky date'.
A seven-kilometer bicycle ride began at 7 a.m. on July 7, 2007, at Istora Senayan sports complex, South Jakarta
Through the fun bike event, followed by an afternoon music concert, the minister and his wife Erna Witoelar, who is also a former minister for the environment, reminded people how they could help reduce global warming.
"Biking is fun and exhilarating... and is an alternative, clean form of transportation that emits no greenhouse gases," Rachmat told The Jakarta Post after the event.
Hundreds of people from the Bike to Work (B2W) community joined the event.
In Greater Jakarta there are currently around 5,000 members of the B2W group, which was established last year.
"I appreciate the B2W program. We need this kind of program to help save the environment," he said.
The minister also urged building managers and government offices to set aside special parking lots for bicycles, to help encourage more workers to leave their cars and motorcycles at home.
B2W spokesman, Rivo Pamudji, said despite owning motorcycles or cars many B2W members chose to ride their bicycles to their offices every day.
"If each member travels 10 kilometers a day, then the community of B2W has significantly helped reduce fuel consumption and helped reduce the city's air pollution," he said.
Jakarta consumes at least 6 million kiloliters of fuel per year.
There are only around 10 buildings in Jakarta that have allocated special parking lots for bicycles.
Rivo also highlighted the need for the administration to provide a special lane for cyclists along Jakarta's streets.
Bekasi-resident Tonny Harianto, another B2W member, has been pedaling to work in Cikini, Central Jakarta, since last year.
"With three bike-to-work days a week along a route of 50 kilometers, I save Rp 300,000 in fuel expenditure per month and I often save time," Tonny, who only takes his motorcycle on Tuesdays and Thursdays, said.
He said biking had also helped him reduce his body weight by 15 kilograms over one year.
"I previously weighed 80 kg. I couldn't even bend down and tie my shoes," he said.
"Aside from saving money and getting some exercise, bicycling can also ease traffic congestions and pollution."
Experts say human-induced global warming is largely due to the burning of fossil-based fuels -- including by industries and the transportation sector.
Land clearing and forest fires also contribute heavily to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, which heat the earth and cause climate change.
The government is striving to boost public awareness on global warming, as it is set to host an international conference on climate change in December.
Some 10,000 experts and participants from 190 countries will attend the conference.
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