T he “fiets” is a Dutch term for a light vehicle with a saddle seat and two wheels in tandem, one behind the other. Guess what it is? A bicycle, of course!

The Netherlands (or Dutch) Embassy has joined the Firefly Brigade in promoting the use of bicycles in the Philippines for clean air and sustainable communities. As a country, the Netherlands is a world leader in using bicycles—with 18 million bicycles for a population of 16 million people. Hence, in the Netherlands there are more bicycles than people! Amsterdam, its capital and largest city, is often referred to as the bicycle capital of the world.

The Dutch Embassy, in partnership with the Firefly Brigade, has conducted a mini-competition for the ownership and use of 15 Dutch Batavus bicycles. The lucky winners will be announced on April 18, 2010, after the Tour of the Fireflies at Tiendesitas, Pasig City.

The use of bicycles is one of the 10 Million solutions for adapting and, to some extent, mitigating, climate change that the Earth Day Network Philippines (EDNP) expects to bring about through its 10 Million Movement for Earth Day 2010 and beyond.

Hear more about these solutions and initiatives by tuning in/watching Kalikasan, Kaunlaran! (KK!) on April 14, 2010, Wednesday, at 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (Manila time)  at DZRH-AM radio (666 in Metro Manila, other kHz nationwide), various TV stations (Ch. 9 in Metro Manila, other cable TV channels nationwide), and Internet http://dzrh.prepys.com or http://dzrh.tripod.com.

G uests are: Netherlands Ambassador Robert G. Brinks, EDNP Chair Bebet Gozun, Firefly Brigade President Ricky Pineda, and EDNP Executive Director Voltaire Alferez. Dr. Cora Claudio, president of the EARTH Institute Asia, will moderate the discussion in conversational English and Pilipino.

Join the Quiz, contests, campaigns and projects of EARTH and KK! To join all, register at 2299: earth<space>your message.

EARTH Institute Asia and DZRH co-produce KK!, with the support of Unilever, Air21, Toby's Sports, Le Cellier French Wine Selection, Yehey.Com, Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), and Brahma Kumaris, and with the cooperation of various organizations—GREEN Army, PFST, TOWNS, PBE, AIJC, MAP AgriBusiness & Countryside Development Foundation, PEIA, DENR, MabuhayRadio.com, Kopos MedX Int’l., and  other groups and individuals. 

Inquiries: 671-3266, 0917-829-1718, or earthinstitute@gmail.com. # # #