Pilots of Solar Impulse Seek Cleantech Solutions for Climate Talks
Originally published on 1Sun4All.
The pilots of Solar Impulse, Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg, have released statements in support of the negotiations taking place in Bonn, Germany, this week in advance of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP21, that will be held in Paris, France, in November and December of 2015. Enjoy!
As COP 21 negotiations continue in Bonn, Solar Impulse urges practical, cleantech solutions instead of wishful goals.
As representatives from countries across the world convene in Bonn this week for the final climate negotiations in the lead-up to COP21 this winter, the world’s leading zero-fuel airplane, Solar Impulse 2 (Si2), is continuing its pioneering round-the-world solar flight to promote the implementation of new clean technologies that could simultaneously reduce CO2 emissions and stimulate economic growth.
Bertrand Piccard — Initiator, Chairman, and pilot of Solar Impulse — has participated in several climate conferences:
We will never improve the situation if we continue to speak of climate change as a big and expensive problem, or by asking people to reduce their lifestyle to protect nature. On the contrary, we should focus on the numerous clean technology solutions that reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions in a profitable manner. The only way to push governments to replace old polluting devices with clean and efficient technologies is to demonstrate the existence of solutions that can simultaneously save energy and natural resources, generate profit, create jobs and sustain economic growth. This is how the climate negotiations should be addressed.
Andre Borschberg — Co-Founder, CEO, and pilot of Solar Impulse — comments on the coming closing of the Climate Change Conference in Bonn and the upcoming COP21 negotiations in Paris:
There are a lot of clean technologies that have been used to make Solar Impulse fly day and night without fuel – it is the first airplane with an unlimited endurance. Many of these energy efficient solutions are starting to be commercialised as they are economically attractive and have real potential to considerably reduce worldwide energy consumption. Favoring these technologies would surely help open new markets for the industries reducing CO2 emissions and energy costs simultaneously.
In an effort to provide a platform where the public can support and provide input into the COP21 process, Solar Impulse has launched the FutureIsClean.org initiative with Prince Albert II of Monaco, Mikhael Gorbachev, and Richard Branson, among others. The aim is to raise millions of voices from individuals, organizations, and celebrities and urge governments to replace old polluting devices with new clean technologies that are more energy efficient. Every site visitor is asked to add their voice to the message, “I want concrete solutions for a clean future,” and share across his/her networks.
About #FutureIsClean
The platform FutureIsClean.org, was designed with the support of our web partner, Google, and aims to mobilize individuals, organizations, celebrities and politicians to confront the Conference on Climate Change of the United Nations (COP21), which will define the new Kyoto protocol in December 2015 in Paris. The goal is to establish the largest petition ever created to convince governments to implement technology solutions that are necessary. Every site visitor is asked to add their voice to the message “I want concrete solutions for a clean future” and share amongst their networks.
Join the Movement: FutureIsClean.org #FutureIsClean
Video Credit: Solar Impulse | Photo Credit: Andre Borschberg: “With Bertrand Piccard, it was like two puzzle pieces with perfect fit finding each other.”
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