Public Employee Press

Profile in Public Service
Pedaling for a green planet

By JANE LaTOUR

Magary Aime, a 28-year veteran Electrical Engineer at the Parks Dept., is a committed activist in the movement to build a green and sustainable future for New York City and the world. He does a lot of that work on his bicycle.

Preserving the planet is part of the Local 375 member's lifestyle on the job and off. "My work designing lighting plans can save energy and help implement renewable energy systems," he said, "and I believe the energy industry has to seriously consider wind, solar, and tidal power."

A passionate cyclist, Aime hooked up with Climate Ride - a group that leads bike rides to raise money for environmental causes. "I had been riding for fitness," he said, "and when I read about Climate Ride, it was a 'Eureka moment' - my opportunity to make a difference and raise environmental awareness."

On the green path

Aime's first long-distance ride was a five-day, 320-mile trek from Fortuna, Calif., to San Francisco, with tough challenges along the way, including the mountainous coastal terrain, camping out in the open and rain for four of the five days.

His second long-distance ride was from Manhattan to Washington. "By then, I was an accomplished climate rider. So when my colleagues, family and friends encouraged me to do the East Coast ride, I was excited and I seized the opportunity," he said.

They rode through New Jersey, then on Amish country roads, and across Mason-Dixon Road (on the boundary that once separated the North from the southern slave states) to a grand finale at the U.S. Capitol, where pro-environmental legislators greeted them warmly. At night, the green cyclists heard from experts on the effects of tar sands mining, gas fracking, mountaintop removal and other environmental threats.

"It was inspiring," said Aime, whose activism has engaged others on climate and sustainability issues. "I've learned that people are aware and want to contribute to solutions. At work, we started a lunchtime ride in the park. Some of my colleagues have begun to ride to work and many friends and relatives have joined in my passion for change. They want to reduce their carbon footprints on planet earth."

The support of his colleagues has been instrumental in raising funds for the rides. "My daily dealings with landscape design, forestry and architecture at the Parks Dept. make me committed to the environmental and sustainability issues, because we are all about green - energy efficiency and conservation," he said. New York City is promoting energy efficiency in its work practices, and implementing programs such as Greenstreets, water conservation and energy-efficient lighting.

"I am convinced that we are moving in the right direction toward a greener future," Aime said. "Every day we are reminded of global warming and its effects on the environment. The devastating earthquake in my native Haiti, the Indian Ocean tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, the damage to the atmosphere's protective ozone layer - they are all tied to the environment that we need to care about and protect. If we sit idly and do nothing to raise awareness about this issue, we are selfishly mortgaging the life of the future generation," he said, "so I want to do my part and contribute to the cause."

For more information, visit www.Climateride.org.