Preserving the planet

Last month's Earth Hour gave people plenty of reason to believe "going green" was as easy as lazing in the dark on the couch, but those with an environmental conscience are gearing up this Saturday to get outdoors, be it on bike or foot, for a similar cause under an even more similar name: Earth Day.

Earth Day on April 22 will live up to its name and go a full 24 hours instead of merely one. It will also involve much more than just flicking off the light switch. The event, cultivated by the Earth Day Network and now in its 43rd year, was founded during the 1970s in the US in a bid to put environmental issues on the political and educational agenda worldwide.

Flying the green flag

The best way to celebrate Earth Day is by getting on your bike. Many groups are hitting the road with their two-wheeled steeds in the name of the planet. Earth Hour might have been an excuse to dwell in the darkness, but Earth Day aims to shed light on environmental awareness by helping people shed pounds at the same time in tight, spandex bike pants.

The International Green Economy Association (IGEA) is heading up the most widespread campaign in China. They're not taking the environment lightly, and have gone with the apocalyptic title for their nationwide campaign of No.11 Ark, a lighthearted reference to the numerals' resemblance to a pair of walking legs.

Launched on Sina's Weibo microblogging service in March, the campaign encourages people to spread the word about public transport or walk to work if it's less than a kilometer. Each person that befriends IGEA on Weibo is entrusted with the task of getting three more people to sign up to the same pledge. IGEA representatives then give out memento tickets to anyone who has fulfilled their promise and will eventually select 55 people at random to award limited edition environmental protection commemorative coins.

This year's theme is "Take on Green Responsibility Together and Show a Green China Image," said Rose Hou, IGEA deputy director assistant. "We run an Earth Day event predominantly at a public festival, not only online. So far, 15 student associations from 12 cities - including Beijing, Changsha, Hefei, Jinan, Shenzhen, Tianjin and Xi'an - will attend the No.11 Ark event."

For those looking to participate in the capital, a No.11 Ark festival will be held at Beijing Forestry University in Haidian district on Sunday, with entertainment, activities and prizes scheduled.

Biking from Beijing to London

Consumer and luxury fashion tracking website leho.com has chosen to celebrate Earth Day for a very different reason. On February 15, the company sponsored a group of avid cyclists who had set out on a ride from Beijing to London. The story goes that the president of Leho, Cai Hu, heard the team was keen to make the journey. Impressed by their long-distance training in Southwest China's Yunnan Province, Cai decided to sponsor them for the event.

The team is now close to entering Iran, but to show some support from their friends in Beijing, Leho has decided to organize an Earth Day activity outside the Bird's Nest stadium to cheer them on.

"The cyclists involved in the journey have all quit their jobs or taken a break from their studies to take part in the ride," said Gan Mangling, an employee from Leho. "The fans and people who are participating in Saturday's event have been really touched by the story of the cyclists who have undertaken this project. I think a lot of the people coming would have wished to ride to London themselves, but as they can't they figured this would be the best way they could show support."

The event is open to everyone with a bike or anyone who would like to rent a bike just for the day. They are planning some leisurely rides around the Olympic Forest Park and are hosting bicycle competitions and games, along with giving out a selection of T-shirts, hooded sweatshirts and other goodies. According to Gan, more than 100 people have already signed up. "Riding a bicycle is environmentally friendly and good for your health. Earth Day is the perfect time for people to get on their bikes," added Gan.

A taste of Denmark

With Copenhagen considered the cycling capital of the world, folks from Denmark have decided to share a little bit of their expertise in making cycling chic again in Beijing. The Danish embassy has teamed up with the China Cyclists Association and fellow cycling group Smarter Than Car to host a ride dubbed Climate Race around the scenic area near the Ming Dynasty Tombs in Changping district. This will be followed by an exhibition on cycling in Denmark. In Copenhagen alone, more than a third of the population cycles daily and there are nearly 400 kilometers of designated bike lanes.

Ambassador Friis Arne Petersen has already auctioned his own bicycle online for 30,000 yuan ($4,758) to raise funds to support environmental groups and promote cycling in Beijing.

"By organizing this campaign we wish to communicate the Danish views on energy efficiency and environmental protection that China in its present five-year plan also identifies as one of the most important policy objectives," said Petersen.

Earth Day in Beijing

Danish embassy's Climate Race at the Ming Dynasty Tombs

http://kina.um.dk/en/about-denmark/green-ride-2012

Leho ride to support London-bound cyclists at the Bird's Nest

http://i.leho.com/post/6401de18d848f37a930032aa

IGEA's No.11 Ark festival at Beijing Forestry University

http://event.weibo.com/361052