Montreal — Under a new initiative called "Roulez mieux," launched by Planetair and the David Suzuki Foundation, Quebec drivers are invited to take up the eco-driving challenge through simple actions that can have a real positive impact on the environment.
The two organizations want to educate people on new driving habits that may seem trivial at first but make a big difference in the end.
Through a series of ads on major radio stations of the Greater Montreal area, not to mention the Internet and CAA-Quebec, drivers will be encouraged to visit a dedicated website (www.roulezmieux.ca) and create their personal "eco-driving protocol."
You can register with your e-mail address or Facebook page. "Our goal is to make this a viral campaign," says Karel Mayrand, Regional Director of the David Suzuki Foundation in Quebec. "People who register through their Facebook page are making a public statement. Also, they can use this platform to challenge their friends."
On the website, participants specify the type of vehicle they’re driving and their yearly mileage. Then, they select one or several personal commitments, such as combining errands in a single trip, using a bicycle or public transit instead of the car at least once a week, monitoring tire pressure and slowing down on the road. The website lists nine simple ways to improve your fuel economy and consequently reduce your greenhouse gas emissions.
Drivers are ready and willing to adopt more fuel-efficient habits, Mr. Mayrand argues. "Unfortunately, the results they get and the savings they make don’t appear on their instrument panel. People need to know for sure that their various actions do make a difference. Also, they don’t want a program that makes them feel guilty."
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| During a press conference in Montreal on Tuesday, many celebrities from the media, arts and sports joined Planetair and the David Suzuki Foundation to launch the new "Roulez mieux" initiative. In the usual order: Scott Flory, Montreal Alouettes offensive lineman; Sylvain Marcoux, Director, Marketing & Communications, belairdirect; Emmanuel Bilodeau, actor; Jérôme Dupras, member of Cowboys Fringants; Jean-Philippe Tardif, Vice-President, Branding & Design, Bleu Blanc Rouge; Karel Mayrand, General Manager, David Suzuki Foundation-Quebec; Karine Oscarson, Director of Communications, Planetair; Bertrand Godin, host; Philippe St-Pierre, Communications Advisor, CAA-Québec; Jacynthe René, actress, along with her son Charles. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/ Auto123.com) |
The two organizations want to educate people on new driving habits that may seem trivial at first but make a big difference in the end.
Through a series of ads on major radio stations of the Greater Montreal area, not to mention the Internet and CAA-Quebec, drivers will be encouraged to visit a dedicated website (www.roulezmieux.ca) and create their personal "eco-driving protocol."
You can register with your e-mail address or Facebook page. "Our goal is to make this a viral campaign," says Karel Mayrand, Regional Director of the David Suzuki Foundation in Quebec. "People who register through their Facebook page are making a public statement. Also, they can use this platform to challenge their friends."
On the website, participants specify the type of vehicle they’re driving and their yearly mileage. Then, they select one or several personal commitments, such as combining errands in a single trip, using a bicycle or public transit instead of the car at least once a week, monitoring tire pressure and slowing down on the road. The website lists nine simple ways to improve your fuel economy and consequently reduce your greenhouse gas emissions.
Drivers are ready and willing to adopt more fuel-efficient habits, Mr. Mayrand argues. "Unfortunately, the results they get and the savings they make don’t appear on their instrument panel. People need to know for sure that their various actions do make a difference. Also, they don’t want a program that makes them feel guilty."
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| According to Karel Mayrand, Regional Director of the David Suzuki Foundation in Quebec, "people need to know for sure that their various actions do make a difference."(Photo: Matthieu Lambert/ Auto123.com) |