WWF: Because we’re all connected - 18 Jun 2009
Entries tagged with ‘society’
Surf Insertion: A phenomenal initiative for the environment & the young - 06 Apr 2009
We went down to Bordeaux to visit SURF INSERTION, an Association dedicated to working with children and young adults from unfavored neighborhoods.
Since 1997, Surf Insertion educates youth in the protection and respect for the environment to preserve the natural integrity of the Aquitaine Region and it’s coastline, by educating eco-citizen reflexes. With the help of practical educational and cultural tools, Surf Insertion accompanies youth in many activities that enhance self-esteem, contact with others and the relationship with the environment.
Through Sports, the aim of Surf Insertion is to enable young people to discover their cultural heritage, to help them live in harmony with one and other and create an authentic dynamic insertion in today’s society.
SURF INSERTION has worked with tens of thousands of youths with very little support and resources; LANEO is going to start sponsoring them this summer and we hope you will spread the news about this small, little known and humble organization that changes the lives of many and cleans up our outdoor playground at the same time !
Our applause for the team.
We’d like to see this “really” happen - 07 Mar 2009
World Economics and its effects on Sports Sponsorships - 18 Nov 2008
To highlight the effect that the current world economic crisis is having on Sports Industry, the pharmaceutical giant and highly reputable corporation, Johnson & Johnson, has just announced (via Yahoo Sports) that is not renewing its Olympic sponsorship at the end of 2008 in order to “enable us to focus on other business priorities”.
No other Sporting event in the world has had as much commercial success as the Olympic Games and this shows just how serious things are evolving as this is the fourth (Top level) partner to end their support this year.
Undoubtedly, things will evolve quickly when the new US Administration is inaugurated and the EU and Oceania Economic initiatives unfold but until then, we’re probably going to see more of these announcements.
Fitbit: inspires people to exercise more, eat better and live a healthier lifestyle - 11 Oct 2008
We just ran across this nifty little gadget that attracted our attention, basically because it “should” help answer one of those questions that a lot of athletes ask themselves in private; “am I really healthy” even though I exercise and eat accordingly.
“The FITBIT Tracker is an ultra-compact wireless wearable device that automatically tracks and wirelessly uploads data about a person’s activities, such as exercise intensity levels, calories burned, sleep quality, steps and distance. It is as small as a pack of matches and clips securely onto any article of clothing or slips easily into a pocket. The Tracker uses motion sensing technology to precisely capture all moment-to-moment physical activity throughout the day and night. It also measures sleep quality to provide a holistic view of a 24-hour period. At the click of a button, calories, steps and distance are illuminated and displayed on the Tracker. In addition to these numerical measurements, the Tracker also displays a user’s progress toward their goals in the form of an avatar that changes as a user advances toward or falls behind their goals.
Data collected by the FITBIT Tracker is wirelessly uploaded to a Website where the wearer can see their information and track their progress toward personal goals. The Website’s motivational interface encourages users to share progress and lets people create groups made up of friends, family or co-workers to jointly work towards a common goal. On the Website, users can also log nutrition, weight and other health information in order to gain a complete picture of their health.”
At Laneo, we think FITBIT is a pretty cool gadget, because it is going to get more people “moving” and becoming “aware” of their body, in a nutshell; it’s a “step” in the right direction.
Go and visit their website here, they should be shipping the device towards this Xmas and we’ll keep you posted when we receive our’s !
Green Jobs: will fuel future growth - 29 Sep 2008
Just picked up some news from a report produced by the Worldwatch Institute in collaboration with the UNEP, International Labour Organization and other structures titled; ” Green Jobs: Towards decent work in a sustainable, low-carbon world” (see below).
According to this study, there is some good news for all of us that believe in sustainable development, support “green business” and that are struggling to raise awareness to move our projects forward.
a) Over 20 million jobs could be created by 2030 linked to the growing “green industry”.
b) The global market for environmental products and services is projected to double from $1,370 billion per year at present to $2,740 billion by 2020.
c) For example, in February 2008, nearly 50 leading investors from the United States and Europe, representing assets worth more than $8 trillion, met at the United Nations to lay out a timetable for their commitments to global climate change. They pledged $10 billion for green investments over the period 2008–2010.
Who is behind this report?
The Green Jobs Initiative is a partnership established in 2007 between the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). The International Organization of Employers (IOE) joined the Initiative in 2008. The Initiative was launched in order to promote opportunity, equity and just transitions and to mobilize Governments, employers and workers to engage in dialogue on coherent policies and effective programs leading to a green economy with green jobs and decent work for all.
You can visit the website and download the report here.
Eurobike 2008: The industry is betting on E-Bikes ! - 09 Sep 2008
This year’s Eurobike Tradeshow in Friedrichshafen largely focused on two new trends; the E-Bike (or electrically assisted bike) and the “Lifestyle” segment.
Industry specialists like Bike-Europe & Bike Retailer have supported manufacturers claims that this market has enormous potential as the projected 2008 e-bike sales figures show in Europe (400,000 units) & USA (170,000 units). There was a great deal of variety of brands at the show that produce this new range of bikes and accessories with an average retail price around 1,800 euros per bike. At Laneo, we’re still trying to figure out what all the fuss is about. Bicycles have been around for over a century and although they’ve evolved, they basically work the same as they used too and we believe that’s one of the reasons why they appeal to every age group and culture around the world. Also, there are superb programs (one we love is the World Bicycle Relief) that provide refurbished bicycles to developing countries to help local communities. So what does all this translate too? From our angle, the next generation of 2 wheel transport (not a “bike”) is coming from our rich nations that no longer can or want to pedal as they evoke the energy crisis as a motive. A suivre…
The lifestyle segment this year is the one we really loved (photo is from Electra); as opposed to the evolution of “assisted” bikes, this particular brand brought us back to our childhoods; the Beach Boys, ice cream, our first bike, sunshine, friends, fun colors and easy cool riding. Most of the principal manufacturers at the show had a range of bikes in this segment, although in different categories from the “sporty” (Cannondale’s Bad Boy) to “urban” (Specialized’s Globe) and “mobility” (Dahon’s Mu). We think that by addressing each individual’s needs and desires, more people will get back to using bikes and not only will the planet benefit, but their health also.
And the cool stuff?
- SRAM brought out the “Truvativ HammerSchmidt” crankset for MTB’s that delivers a revolutionary shifting sensation (basically it’s one front chainring, wrapped up into a neat, small casing that shifts smoothly in any situation).
- Campagnolo launched the first ever 11 gear rear cassette and opened up new opportunities for roadies.
- We really liked Ergon’s new ergonomic handle bar grips who’s wing design grip reduces pressure on the palm and allows a wider range of positions.
And many more…
Our favorite bikes?
- Favorite MTB CX: Specialized S-Works Epic
- Favorite MTB DH: Santa Cruz V-10
- Favorite Road: Pinarello Prince Carbon
- Favorite Tri: Look 496 Tri
- Favorite Urban: Electra Cruiser 1
- Favorite Folding: Dahon Mu XXV
Some more photos are here > Flickr
Eurobike was again a big show, and growing (according to the latest numbers, attendance was up 7% vs 2007 with close to 40,000 visitors and 950 companies from 35 countries) as it consolidates its position as the number #1 bicycle tradeshow in Europe.
For more bike information, follow the excellent journalism and up to date news from our friends at Bike Radar & Cycling News !!
Yvon Chouinard: Words from “above” - 19 Jun 2008
Wise words from a man who need’s no introduction !
Hat’s off to you Sir,
Running the Sahara – for charity - 28 May 2008
We just came across a very noble feat. 3 runners crossed the Sahara Desert for 110 days, running close to 2 marathons a day, in a journey for charity that’s been captured on film for a documentary called “Running the Sahara”.
All of us working at Laneo love the way outdoor activity brings us all closer to nature, especially when it mobilizes “commercial forces” to help restore and protect it.
One of the adventure’s goals was to help establish clean water wells for desert villagers the runners met along the way. The project was run under the umbrella of the “H2O Africa Foundation”, a charity and two major sponsors; Magellan and National Geographic. Alongside, a documentary film under the same name “Running the Sahara”, was shot and directed by James Moll, and produced and narrated by Matt Damon (Co-Founder of the H20 Foundation) which provided some very needed additional coverage.
We dug around for some additional information on the results of this quest and found the usual tidbits; if you find anything really interesting, please ping us at Laneo and we’ll publish it!
Polluting becomes a “crime” in Europe - 24 May 2008
Degrading a protected site, polluting with waste, will soon be liable in the European Union to criminal sanctions, under a law passed by parliament yesterday.
“After eight years of negotiation, the European Parliament has reached an agreement with member states on legislation that will force national governments to apply criminal sanctions to those causing deliberate or negligent damage to the environment.”
With all the great initiatives currently happening on and offline (Laneo included) to promote a collective, citizen based, sense of urgency, a law like this could almost close the circle on improving the “management of our planet”; all that’s left is applying all these good resolutions…
Mountain Riders goes to the mountains - 22 May 2008
If you want to get involved in a really great initiative and you’re near or visiting the French Alps, then go and check out our friends MOUNTAIN RIDERS and their annual Cleanup Weekend Website here.
This is another great team made up of Skiers, Snowboarders, Mountain Bikers, Climbers and generally passionate outdoor enthusiasts that have been extremely successful at animating a tremendous range of Eco-initiatives from School Classes, Publications, Partnerships (see previous post on the “Defi pour la Terre”) and Guide Books; you can practically not visit the Alp Region without seeing something from this Association !
Probably the favorite moment of the year for us at Laneo is their series of cleanups that they organize with a growing number of local associations and communities. These events draw big crowds of people that are always astonished to see the extent of the mess left behind after the snow thaws – and we guarantee that once you see it, you can’t forget it !
It’s happening this weekend, May 24th & 25th and there are an unimaginable number of ski stations that are involved (and others all throughout the summer), so there must be one near you – Laneo hopes to see you there !!
WIRED June 08: Get Ready to Rethink What It Means to Be Green - 21 May 2008
Wired Magazine’s June issue “Inconvenient Truths: Get Ready to Rethink What It Means to Be Green”, will certainly raise a few eyebrows when it comes out next month.
This highly admired magazine has always taken the “out of the box” angle on a tremendous variety of subjects but this time, it’s journalists are tackling one of humanities current hot topics; the Planet.
Their point is that we should embrace change and actually “slaughter some of environmentalism’s sacred cows” such as a) accept genetic engineering, b) embrace nuclear power, c) A/C is ok and others in order to win the war on global warming.
We’re impatiently awaiting the issue to hit our news stands in Paris but whatever we read, we’ll continue to take our bikes to work, each local grown food and prefer sustainable products.
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- C’est quoi une opération de nettoyage de site naturelle ?
- New Year’s Wish from Laneo
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