Design Against The Elements (DAtE)

MANILA, Philippines – Thousands of professionals, foreigners and even kids participated in the recently held National Geographic fun run and the Tour of the Fireflies, 2 activities aimed at raising awareness on climate change.

A total of 6,000 people came in their rubber shoes and sweats to participate in the NatGeo Earth Run alone, organizers said.

“With this many people that joined the activity, I think we got our message across,” said Jude Turcuato, territory director of National Geographic channel Asia.

Proceeds from the NatGeo Earth Run will be used to create a documentary for Design Against the Elements, a global contest for architects to design housing communities that can withstand natural catastrophies similar to typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng.”

“We need houses that could protect us against the effects of typhoon Ondoy,” said Illac Diaz of Design Against the Elements.

Biking for Mother Earth

While some were busy running in Pasay City, several bikers pedaled along the country’s busy streets to promote environmental awareness.

The Tour of the Fireflies, an annual event aimed at promoting the use of bicycles for transport, was simultaneously held in Metro Manila, Laoag, Baguio, Bacolod, Palawan and General Santos.

“A bike a day will keep pollution away,” said Ricky Pineda, president of the Firefly Brigade.

Climate change, which has caused a number of natural disasters, is largely caused by carbon emissions released into the atmosphere by human activities such as industrial and transport-related air pollution.

The World Wildlife Fund has said that walking or riding a bike can reduce emissions by 20 pounds for every gallon of gasoline used in automobiles.

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by Israel Malasa, ABS-CBN News