KICK THE HABIT!

Today, the world commemorates the World Environment Day with its 2008 slogan Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy (to learn more about this, click this link). This recognizes the need to focus on greenhouse emissions and the ways by which these will be reduced. 

I believe that Professor Oposa, my Law and Environment class Professor last semester, has a very innovative way to reduce our greenhouse emissions from motor vehicles. He is promoting the use of ‘man-powered mini-train’ and calls it by the name of ‘karusel’. This YouTube video (click this link) shows the making and the launching of this ‘karusel’.

The Karusel Prototype

Photo from Prof. Oposa 

The use of this ‘karusel’ is one of the best solutions not only to the world’s urban problems but also to our very unhealthy sedentary lifestyle. However, doubts with regard to the sustainability of this man-powered vehicle will usually arise. There might even have apprehensions, or worse, adverse reactions from the riding public. 

Indeed, the need to change the mindset of many Filipinos is very crucial for the sustainability and success of this very promising ‘karusel’. The use of the CPR economics (I will write more about this later), as recommended by Prof. Oposa, will be very helpful in this regard.