Breathe out… Don’t breathe in…
CONTRIBUTE TO CLIMATE ACTION
It wasn’t always like this. Once upon a time, we had clean air, blue skies and birds chirping in the trees. I remember when winters meant enjoying a walk in the chilly mornings and laughing with friends in the neighbourhood garden. But those days are gone…
Now stepping outdoors is a task that needs careful thought and consideration; “Do I have my mask? How long will I get stuck in traffic? Will the outside air worsen my breathing issues?”
We found the culprit; the never-ending burning of fossil fuels for energy and transportation. Emissions from thermal power plants and vehicular internal combustion engines have turned our cities into toxic gas chambers and it’s making climate change worse every day.
We heard the warnings from climate scientists on how global warming – fuelled by increasing greenhouse gas emissions – must be limited to 1.5°C. But without everyone taking action, I’m worried we won’t achieve this goal.
Through the DetoxCity campaign, we’ve been working to end the air pollution that’s threatening all our lives.
Greenpeace India started its DetoxCity campaign to impact the transportation systems across India over the next few years. The team has been conducting focus-group discussions with citizens from all walks of life, to understand what they want from mobility.
We interviewed car users, cyclists and public transport to get an inclusive perspective on commuters’ challenges. Greenpeace India, in association with the Reclaiming The Bus campaign, Delhi Bus Yatri Union and Sustainable Urban Mobility Network (SUM Net) India, conducted a survey of DTC bus users in August-September 2021. The Bustling Through The City report provides important insights from ground zero and highlights the actions that need to be taken by the state government to make the public bus system more reliable and affordable.
STORIES FROM THE CITY
“My cycle gives me the freedom to travel, without being dependent on buses and autos or my husband. First I was afraid of traffic but now I have the confidence to cycle anywhere.”
– Luxina, Cyclist from Badshah Pur, Gurgaon
“ After suffering an epilepsy attack when I was 64 years old, I started taking part in fitness. Now, two decades later I’ve cycled 4,27,000 km and won 350+ medals in competitions!”
– Bylahalli Raghunath Janardan, 88-year-old Cyclist from Bengaluru
“When I first started travelling by bus it was very exciting because it gave me a sense of freedom. But I feel that both public and private transport are safe and unsafe in their own way.”
– Yamini, Student and Public Transport user from Delhi
“I’m glad women are getting this opportunity to cycle, which is saving time, energy and money.”
– Bhavya, Garment Factory Worker and Cyclist from Bengaluru
You can create a positive impact on more lives. What will you donate to make a difference?
As part of the Power The Pedal campaign, Greenpeace India is working with low-wage women labourers in Bengaluru and Delhi to help them take up cycling as a safe, independent and sustainable mode of transport. We’re starting with distributing 500 cycles but this number will soon be 5000, which will inspire thousands of others to choose the cycle.
‘We must be willing to give up what we are, to become what we want to be.’
It’s like we’re on a bus hurtling towards a crash and none of us can get off unless we all pull the chain TOGETHER. Time is running out but we know how to stop this calamity. If you haven’t donated to the DetoxCity campaign yet, now is the time.
We need your help to keep fighting for our cities and our future. Will you contribute and strengthen our efforts?
Make a difference before the year ends. ACT NOW.