A number of stands where you can cook your own organic food, learn how to do a compost, make bike bags out of old fuel containers, try a washing machine or a mixer that works with an old bike instead of a motor, learn how to make a van that is not polluting… even knitting, making your own orange juice and making a wallet out of old juice cartons was on the menu.
I spent a very nice afternoon together with all the other curious people and I enjoyed watching grown-ups turn into children when they started making their own creations in the middle of Brussels’ central shopping area. An easy model: Volunteers that give workshop, some sponsoring and a bit of project management. The result – good vibes, a day full of eye-opening ideas and inspring people.
This simple concept is worth replicating in other parts of the world!
Hope you feel inspired now…
Ok, now seriously:
“The oceans and seas are a source of life on our planet. They cover almost three quarters of the Earth’s surface and contain some 90% of the biosphere. Their protection is essential to the future of our planet. Pollution of our seas and destructive fishing practices are anathema to that. Our oceans and seas also play a strategic role in sustaining climate and weather patterns, distributing solar energy, and absorbing carbons.” (Commissioner for the Environment Stavros Dimas)
Three quarters of fishing grounds are almost depleted. Rising water levels inflicted by global warming are threatening sensitive corals and low lands. Now I won’t blog more about it as others can do this better. Here a good overview by a member of the Ocean Project and here more on the topic by the following organisations UN, the European Commission or GreenPeace. You can sign a petition with GreenPeace on protecting 40% of the world’s oceans as marine reserves.
The Ocean Project has a list of events around the globe, nothing though for Belgium. However, Sunday June 7th is la Fête de l’Environnement 2009 organised at Parc Cinquantenaire by Bruxelles Environnement, where you can meet actors of the environmental field. The Brussels Aquarium will also have a stand there. In the evening there will be a free concert.
The sun is out, it’s getting warmer and lots of things are happening around bikes. Not just that I’m getting in the hot phase with planning a 7-day cycling adventure in France… all Brussels seems in cycle mood these days. Here a short overview of what is going on:
1. Velo-city 2009 May 12th – 15th
Velo-city is one of the world largest conferences on cycling taking place at tour & taxi. It includes a number of conferences, exhibitions and lots of entertainment activities around cycling.
2. DringDring 2009 May 11th – 17th
Simultaneously, DringDring is organizing breakfasts for cyclists and bike excoursions for schoolkids this week.
This weekend there will also be a second hand bike fair and several other activities worthwhile joining.
3. Bike to work
Have you ever thought about taking your bike to work? Bike to work is a project that supports and encourages employees and businesses to take the bike to work. This initiative is part of the European project LifeCycle. Besides the simple committment it offers also a number of contests that will be carried out throughout the year. Companies that support their employees, can also gain financial advantages.
4. Dynamobile 2009 July 17th -26th
If you haven’t got any summer holiday plans for July yet, you should definitely consider this one. Dynamobile is a bike tour for families and individuals. During one week you get to see some of the Belgian nicest spots, you eat organic food and get to know like-minded people. Here some details on this year’s programme in French.
Savoir-Fair is a platform (in form of a fair) for people to exchange know-how on how to create & make things that are not just beautiful but help us diminish our impact on the environment (by using natural or recycled material). Topics can be anything from nutrition, mobility, gardening to well-being and games. This year’s event will be on the 20th of June.
…if you find all this inspiring and have some tips & tricks to share yourself: The team is still looking for people that would like to participate at the fair. Proposals will be accepted until May 15th. To find out more visit the Ideaplants discussion forum here (info in French).
A few weeks ago I went on a night walk with the local group of Friends of the Earth in Brussels. The activity was organized in the spirit of Earth Hour 2009 – an action initiated by WWF on March 28th 2009.
This was the core message of the campaign:
Our walk in Brussels went on for 3 hours through the local forest area Forêt de Soignes. 3 hours in the dark in the middle of a forest; looking at star signs with a group of like minded environmentalists – What’s a better way of spending the ‘earth hour 2009′?
The walk in any case was a success and it would be a surprise if Friends of the Earth Brussels would not continue organizing enjoyable walks and awareness raising events here in Brussels. Thank you for the nice evening. › Continue reading
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