Green « China, Asia, Climbing and Fixed Gear Bikes

Archive for the ‘Green’ Category

Articles about 耍－NATOOKE－商店: Shop Opening Party

Sonntag, März 7th, 2010

Regarding our 耍－ NATOOKE －商店: Shop Opening Party today there were already quite some articles online on various sites also with pictures of our event.

A very nice article was on the news.xinmin.cn:
自行车引领低碳生活五道营召开国际交流会(图)
2010-03-07 20:54 来源：千龙网作者：黎江共 0 条评论关键字：五道营胡同,低碳,碳排放

今天下午，东城区五道营胡同举行了一场别开生面的“低碳生活国际交流会”，来自美国、德国、英国、法国、加拿大、意大利、澳大利亚等16个国家的50多位外国朋友，通过杂耍、车技展示等新鲜有趣的方式，与胡同居民和孩子们倾情交流，宣传“低碳出行”概念，倡导骑行自行车、减少碳排放。“绿色北京、低碳出行 ”的理念，也在这次交流活动中更加深入五道营居民心中。

Fede Moro at Natooke Opening Party 暖场的杂耍表演吸引了不少小朋友

千龙网北京3月7日讯（记者黎江通讯员周义峰）今天下午，东城区五道营胡同举行了一场别开生面的“低碳生活国际交流会”，来自美国、德国、英国、法国、加拿大、意大利、澳大利亚等16个国家的50多位外国朋友，通过杂耍、车技展示等新鲜有趣的方式，与胡同居民和孩子们倾情交流，宣传“低碳出行”概念，倡导骑行自行车、减少碳排放。

自行车爱好者们在胡同内交流 at Natooke Opening Party

隶属于安定门街道的五道营胡同位于雍和宫西侧，近年来发展起旅游休闲业，不长的胡同内西餐厅、休闲俱乐部等密布，是一处十分吸引在京“老外”的特色街。今天的交流会由五道营商业联合会和伊飞泉（北京）自行车有限公司联合主办，国际知名的“死飞自行车俱乐部”的外籍成员们展示了令人咂舌的自行车技艺，吸引了众多胡同居民和游客的注意。“绿色北京、低碳出行”的理念，也在这次交流活动中更加深入五道营居民心中。

Another article was on Xinhua news website.
„低碳生活国际交流会“儿童用表演诠释低碳出行
2010年03月07日 18:26:26 　来源：新华博客

JisuPK 少年儿童用表演诠释低碳出行

I like this picture of our track standing competition during our bike and juggling shop opening party.

Ines Brunn at Natooke Opening 自行车表演

3月7日下午，北京东城区安定门五道营胡同装扮的红红火火，中国元素的大红灯笼、中国结挂满整个胡同，与这里具有异国情调的西餐厅、休闲俱乐部和其他创意产业自然交融一起。14时30分，由东城区五道营联合会与伊飞泉（北京）自行车有限公司联合举办的“低碳生活国际交流会”拉开帷幕。

活动现场悬挂着“国际化的五道营创意无限”、“低碳出行，低碳生活”说明了这个活动的主题。这个活动既有少年儿童的游戏表演，又有国际著名的Fixed Gear 自行车俱乐部会员的车技表演，中西方文化在这里同台献技，旨在宣传绿色北京、低碳北京，从我做起、从现在做起。

在这次活动中，还有美国、德国、英国、法国、加拿大、意大利、澳大利亚等十六个国家的50多名外国朋友参加了宣传活动。

记者采访居民张大妈时，张大妈深有感触地说：“去年我就听说过低碳这个词，今天才知道低碳就在我们身边。”

东城区五道营商业联合会会长刘源泉在接受记者采访时说：“此次活动是绿色奥运、绿色北京的延续，低碳就要从身边做起，各国友人的参与给活动增色不少，我们会长期做下去。” （摄影/高群）

Track Standing Contest in Beijing

Inside Natooke Shop

Natooke Opening Party Guests

There were also some other articles:

One on 中国节能环保网ceee.com.cn讯. “低碳生活国际交流会”在五道营拉开帷幕 Full article here. Written by 投稿：kaner2008@sina.com
Another one on 文化中国culcn.cn讯. It is the „Wenhua Zhongguo“ China Culture site. “低碳生活国际交流会”在五道营拉开帷幕Full article here. Written by 投稿邮箱：haonews8@163.com
Another one on sohu.com “低碳生活国际交流会”儿童用表演诠释低碳出行(组图)Full article here.

Posted in Beijing, China, Cycling, Fixed Gear, Green, Juggling, Media, Natooke | 1 Comment »

Green Commuting

Dienstag, Januar 19th, 2010

For those of you that know how it is in Beijing you will understand how happy I am. There are over 4 million cars registered in Beijing, there are traffic jams almost all day long on the main roads, cars use the bicycle lanes to cut through traffic jams, the bicycle lanes are used as parking lots and some bike lanes have been converted into car lanes or parking lots. What used to be the bicycle capitol of the world has recently become bike hostile. Also cars and buses cut cyclists off, never giving them the right of way.

According to the China Daily news article in an effort to get people back in the saddle again, the local government has now begun an ambitious plan to return byways to eco-friendly cycle routes. The plan was outlined in a directive on Jan 1 from the municipal reform and development commission, which supervises the city’s industries.

The plan calls for better law enforcement to make sure designated bike lanes are only used by cyclists. Bike rental facilities will also be resurrected, with at least 500 stations set to be run by a private enterprise by next year, according to the directive. The authorities will also abandon outdated traffic regulations that marginalize cyclists and make it easier for cyclists to use public transit in populated areas, including the CBD, Zhongguancun and southern Beijing – all to be completed by 2012. The government made the move in the face of rising traffic volume and slower commutes.

This plan, named „Green Commuting“, will also help the city lower emissions, experts said.

„In fact, authorities have been forced to come up with new solutions to solve the city’s traffic deadlock,“ said Ou Guoli, a traffic management professor at Beijing Jiaotong University. „Experience from super-sized cities overseas has inspired Beijing to rediscover the lost art of cycling.“ Ou said cycling may well take off again, but not before the authorities clear the way by rewriting traffic rules, issuing favorable policies for bike rentals and tightening measures to prevent bike thefts.

This is such great news! I am so happy that the government has come up with this „Green Commuting“ plan. This plan will encourage the use of bicycle in the city. And it will make cycling in Beijing safer again. What a bright future! Maybe there will also be some regulations on having less cars in the traditional Beijing hutongs, or even turning them into pedestrian and cycling zones.

Posted in Beijing, China, Cycling, Green | 1 Comment »

Tsinghua SEM & INSEAD Green Talk

Donnerstag, Januar 7th, 2010

Today I went to a lecture organized by Tsinghua SEM and INSEAD EMBA about China’s unique opportunity to achieve sustainable peaceful development held by Dr. Lee George LAM who is Chairman of Monte Jade Science and Technology Association of Hong Kong.

Tsinghua SEM and INSEAD Green Lecture

The title was from „factory of the world“ to „green economy of the world“. I would like to share some of the things he mentioned (no guarantee that I noted them correctly, sorry for any possible errors):

China uses 9% of the worldwide available oil but only produces 5%. China wants to have half of the cars produced in China by 2020 be cars with alternative energy. For 2030 most cars in China will be either hybrid or electric cars.

China will focus on low carbon emission power. But the energy generated by solar, wind or geothermal will not be enough to support the whole country, therefore the focus is on nuclear power. By 2020 5% of all power plant will be nuclear and they will contribute to 10% of the power produced in China.

China is focusing on railways. The plan is to have 16000km of high speed train tracks by 2020. That will be 4 horizontal lines, 4 vertical lines as well as 2 special lines: Beijing to Shanghai and Beijing to Guangzhou. For example on the Wuhan to Guangzhou 1000km long railway the average (not maximum) speed is 350km/h.

Germany is leading the world in terms of green construction and green houses. China will follow these good examples.

China has a natural shortage of fresh water. The country has only 6% of fresh water of the world but accommodates to 22% of the worldwide population. Roughly 300 cities in China are short of water. 40% of the rivers are polluted. There is acid rain especially in the areas with many industrial production sites. last year there was a drought in China and 2.5 million people were short of fresh water.

China is the number 1 producer of waste. Consumers need to be educated to think sustainable and reduce waste. There is investment in green technology and clean technology and that will increase.

Then Dr. Lee George Lam suggested everybody to become a „Green Leader“. We all should make our daily contributions. Like riding a bicycle (actually, he was suggesting taking a subway, but bicycle is even better as you know) or eating less meat. I think he said that if you eat 500gr less beef, that means you reduced your carbon emission by 500gr. But the main thing every individual that starts taking care about these issues should do is: Spread the word. Educate your neighbors. Inspire your friends to live greener. Set up a green business. Lets make a sustainable future for our next generations!

Posted in China, Green | 1 Comment »

Bike Ride to Fresh Start Event

Donnerstag, Dezember 17th, 2009

Greening the Beige had a small event called „Fresh Start“ to view the video and pictures of this years events as well as capture ideas for next year.

Greening the Beige Fresh Start Fundraiser Event

We decided to do a first critical mass bike ride to the event. But unfortunately it was the coldest day of the year. It was freezing and we only had 5 bicycle riders – 2 girls and 3 guys. So in the cold of the night we only cycled very directly to the venue. And we were happy when we had arrived and gotten our free cold drinks. The next CM bike ride should be on the last Friday in January 2010 and I am sure we will have more cyclists.

First Beijing Critical Mass Bike Ride Cyclists

Posted in Cycling, Green | 1 Comment »

PechaKutcha and Bamboo Trick Bike

Samstag, November 28th, 2009

Following the global discussion platform Beijing hosted its 14th PechaKucha Night. As this one was co-hosted together with the Greening the Beige (GtB) closing event the topics were green.

Greening the Beige organizer Carissa Welton

Samantha Woods spoke about the „Green Long March„, Yinghui Zhang-Carraro spoke about „Natural Living in Beijing“, Julien Chol spoke about „Green is More“, and other similar topics. They were all presented in the PechaKucha style: 20 slides a 20 seconds each automatically changing. The speakers had to get to the point and finish within 6min 40sec.

PechaKucha Beijing Audience

Closing a full week of creative cross-over events, GtB’3 wrapped up its 3rd year of events with a recycled film workshop hosted by Electric Shadows. I had set up to mannequins with my cycling t-shirts, Yakkay helmets and Respro masks.

First Beijing Alleycat T-shirt and Yakkay Helmet

BFF Joyride T-shirt and Yakkay Helmet

There was an eco-fashion show with pieces designed by Beijing local fashion designers WillowWillow and Raffles School of Design.

Eco-Fashion Show

After that I did the world’s first trick bike performance on a bamboo bike! Zack Jiang had made this special geometry artistic bicycle for me so that I can prove that his bamboo bike frames are built stable and they can withhold very strong forces from various angles. Sure a bike frame made out of bamboo is softer than one made out of ChrMoly or aluminum but it is stable. I was able to do my trick bike performance on it! Congratulations to Zack’s design!

Ines after world’s first trick performance on bamboo bicycle

Ines and the bamboo trick bike by Zack Jiang

Ines and the bamboo Kunstrad

Posted in Fixed Gear, Green, Media | 1 Comment »

GtB’3 Film Screening Premiere & Dinner

Freitag, November 27th, 2009

Greening the Beige 3 Logo

Greening the Beige organized a film screening premier of the film called „Hope in a Changing Climate“ and dinner event. Simultaneously launching on the BBC, Greening the Beige is proud to present this exclusive film premiere from the Environmental Education Media Project. „Earth’s Hope“ is a multi-media initiative working to engage the international community in an integrated approach to poverty reduction and large scale ecosystem rehabilitation. The movie was very touching, impressive and inspiring.

Film Producer “Hope in a Changing Climate”

BBC Film “Hope in a Changing Climate”

Posted in Beijing, Green | Comments Closed

TED in Beijing

Freitag, November 13th, 2009

Do you know about TED? Well if not then you need to check out their website: www.ted.com

Today was the first TED event in Beijing. As it was an independently organized event but with the TED license it was called TEDxBeijing. And I was selected as a speaker! I was so excited when I heard that news on October 30th!!! Since then I was in an extreme speech preparation mode. I re-wrote my speech about 8 times. There were too many topics to talk about. It was hard for me to chose. In the end I chose the title: Changes of Perception. I was wanting people to change their perception about bicycles and re-consider to ride. Especially in Beijing.

Cars are the Current Status Symbol in China

Modern Building in Beijing Reject Bicycles and have no Bicycle Parking

And to inspire people that cycling is not just about pedaling I also did some tricks on my artistic bicycle. Of course… 🙂

Ines Brunn Tricks on a Bicycle at TEDxBeijing

There was some pictures of it on tech.sina.com of me speaking as well as doing tricks on my bicycle. Also I found some pictures of the event on flickr. And more pictures.

This was such a great event! So many great speakers and interesting topics. It showed the different perspectives of Beijing and China. We had live online screening of all the speeches. And the videos will be edited and hopefully soon uploaded. I am looking forward to that. Now I first need to get a good nights sleep!

Striving to re-vive the Bicycle Culture in China

Posted in Beijing, China, Cycling, Fixed Gear, Green, Media, Natooke, Performers | 1 Comment »

绿色骑行（绿色英雄ECO HERO）伊泉 Ines Brunn

Donnerstag, Oktober 22nd, 2009

Here is a post about the TV program done by Tianjin TV station about people that work for a greener environment.

You can watch the ECO HERO video on tudou.com

绿色骑行（绿色英雄ECO HERO）①
10/22/2009 12:00 AM

在中国，骑单车恐怕是人人皆会的一项技能。然而，四轮驱动的普及让这种环保而健康的出行方式逐渐受了冷漠。
汽车释放的黑色烟雾让整个城市都阴霾起来。于是，有这么一些人，回归人力驱动，重新骑上了自行车。
金鸡独立，双手倒立，原地转身……这些动作你会做吗？
估计你会很不屑地说：毛毛雨啦！但是，如果必须要在自行车上做这些动作的话，你还觉得简单么？
然而，真有这么一位金发碧眼的外国美女，能轻松地驾驭单车，变换数十种高难动作，令你眼花缭乱！其实，她是一位环保领袖。她与她的单车同伴们，正用行动履行着无碳化出行的承诺。尹畅，林铁，月亮姐姐，麦小龙和苏菲也跟随伊泉，开始了自行车大游行。
在这期绿色英雄中，您将领略到自行车达人伊泉出神入化的车技，还有专属她和男友的一个轮子的浪漫。并且，主持人尹畅也将在独轮车上小试身手，她的车技如何呢？
当骑单车成为当红不让的极限运动，当骑单车成为健身房中动感无敌的项目，当韩国总统与伦敦市长也成为单车上班族时，当四轮到两轮成为一种文明的回归时，你还嫌自行车不够时尚吗？

In China, almost everyone knows how to ride a bike. However, along with the development of technology, more and more people are beginning to have their own cars and bikes are no longer as popular as before.
Gases emitted from car exhaust pipes create serious air pollution within cities. Bearing this in mind, a number of ecologically spirited people are now choosing to ride bikes instead of driving. Ines Brunn is a special one of these people.
Some people race their bikes, some people cruise on their bikes. Other people simply use their bikes to get from A to B. Ines Brunn doesn’t. When she gets on her bike, she is a gymnast, contortionist, and acrobat all rolled into one. Today you can appreciate the awesome, breathtaking bike tricks done by this amazing cyclist cum athlete.
Kathy Yin has her first attempt at riding a monocycle. Will she manage it? She realizes that riding bicycle is both cool and environmentally friendly. What about you? Have you been on the static bikes at the gym this week? Why not ride your bike to the gym instead? And enjoy the warm sunshine and fresh air? Perhaps if you are adventurous you can also try a monocycle, or perhaps travel somewhere with your partner on a tandem bike.

播客: ECO HERO
加入时间: 2009-10-22

Posted in China, Cycling, Fixed Gear, Green, Media, Performers | 1 Comment »

Don’t miss on Saturday, October 24th: INTERNATIONAL DAY OF CLIMATE ACTION

Mittwoch, Oktober 21st, 2009

Beijing 350 Green Train Bicycle Ride for Climate Action October 2009

In support of „International Day of Climate Action“ (http://www.350.org) the Jane Goodall Institute China Roots & Shoots Beijing Office, Conservation International and Greening the Beige (GtB) invite all of Beijing community to be a part of the global movement that promotes carbon footprint reduction and a healthy, sustainable planet. The event is sponsored by Chevron Texaco China Energy Company and the Nature Museum of China. Additional participating organizations include the China Youth Climate Action Network (CYCAN), Future Generations China through the Green Long March, and several others who are sponsoring prizes for a raffle drawing.

Following in the footsteps of last June’s Beijing Green Train Bicycle Ride our goals for this ride are:
1. To encourage the use of low or zero carbon forms of transportation (in this case, cycling) instead of private vehicles.
2. Gather 350 riders in support of our #1 goal for a city-wide route of 8.8 km
3. To have fun and enjoy the activities, games, and performances at the Climate Action Carnival!

The critical mass cycle ride departs from the Bell & Drum Tower, heading south-east to pick-up a grand total of 350 bicyclists, making its final destination at the Beijing Museum of Natural History 自然博物馆 to kick-off the Roots & Shoots – Jane Goodall Institute and partner organizations hosting the youth-led, fun-for-all „Climate Action Carnival“.

Join the “350 Beijing Green Train” group bike ride starting at 12:30pm (so please make sure to arrive at 12:15pm) to ride together and finish at the Beijing Nature Museum to join the Carnival. For more information and to sign up please visit www.350.org/BeijingGreenTrain. This is the route.

Green Train Route

The Climate Action Carnival takes place Saturday, October 24, 2009 1pm– 4pm outdoors at the Beijing Nature Museum. This exciting event features interactive activity booths concerning environmental issues and student projects hosted by local student groups, along with live performances, and a raffle drawing.

So get on your bicycle and come on out! BIKE WITH US! Show Beijing your green side and wear green clothes.

Beijing Green Train Bicycle Ride June 2009

The schedule for the Green Carnival is as follows:
12:00-13:00 Registration of Roots & Shoots student groups
13:00-13:30 Opening ceremony and all student group stations begin games
13:30-14:15 R&S Summit Workshop A: Biodiversity and Climate Change
14:00-14:15 Beijing Green Train 350 cyclists arrive and performances begin on outdoor stage
14:30-15:15 R&S Summit Workshop B: Climate Change and Helping Poorer Regions
15:30-16:00 Presentation of Roots & Shoots Achievement Awards; and Raffle Drawing

Posted in Cycling, Green | 1 Comment »

Greening the Beige at Club Fair

Samstag, August 29th, 2009

Today was again a club fair where the Beijing community clubs and non profit organizations could display themselves. The location was maybe not the best to get a „fair“ kind of feeling as there were just two straight lines of tables on either side of a quiet street.

Beijing CityWeekend Club Fair

The Green Lady Carissa had prepared a table for the „Greening the Beige“ group to create awareness for the upcoming events. The first one is the International Day of Climate Action on October 24th where we want to arrange the 350 Beijing Green Train bike ride together with the 350.org. The other big event is the 3rd Annual Greening the Beige Event in November under the theme: „RE-ENERGIZE BEIJING“.

The team was making origami windmills from used paper. They had some clothes made out of used colorful plastic bags on display to demonstrate that waste can be re-used and given a new purpose. The amazing green allies and volunteers came from Beijing Dance/LDTX, China Charity Challenge, New Beijing International Movie Festival, Whole Soul Bakery as well as other individuals supporting environmental awareness activities. And they were handing out fashionable red star pins from Cable 8 Culture Center. Here a picture of a part of the Greening the Beige energetic team:

Greening the Beige Environmental Volunteers

Posted in Beijing, Green | 1 Comment »

China, Asia, Climbing and Fixed Gear Bikes