2018.nl/en/fossilfreefriesland
01 – 14 July Friesland
Frisians go green
Fossil-free Friesland
It’s a bizarre and near-impossible project. Yet here it is. Friesland will travel fossil-free for two weeks. The Elfwegentocht (Eleven Way Tour) is part of a huge ‘green’ transition in the province. And as a visitor, you’ll go back home fully charged.
number in electric transport vehicles, the most bio-gas, number of solar panels, energycooperatives and energy-neutral houses. This year will further exceed expectations.’ De Boer, as an energy-coordinator in the Leeuwarden municipality, is working with partners such as Arriva, the NS (the Dutch railway operator), Friesland Campina, Tesla, BMW, Mitsubishi and Snappcar to achieve the impossible. For two whole weeks travel will be fossil-free in Friesland. ‘Together with Urgenda (the organisation for innovation and sustainability in The Netherlands) and all the other participants, we will show that this is possible.’
If you’ve ever sat next to Bouwe de Boer at a party, the chances are that your roof is covered in solar panels and you’ll travel green in 2018. Bouncing around with enthusiasm: ‘This is the greatest energy project ever!’ In 2018, with Fossil-Free Friesland (Fossylfrij Fryslân), the province unveils its gem sustainability projects to the world. ‘This province boasts, per capita, the highest
ubbo Ockels said ‘if you’re W going to introduce a route, it has to be the Elfstedentocht’
Sinne boat race and the highway to the future There’s much, much more. In July the largest solar boat race in the world will take place along the Eleven Cities of Friesland. ‘When the race was first set up, Wubbo Ockels (the first Dutchman in space) said: if you’re going to introduce a route, it has to be the Elfstedentocht (the dare to act
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eleven city tour round Friesland).’ CNN has already covered earlier editions of this heroic solar boat race. ‘Because it is almost impossible, with overland routes sometimes required for the boats. And yet we pulled it off. That is exactly the mentality that will prevail in Friesland, just like when a hundred local business people agreed to travel to work fossilfree, or when, during a lecture in a small village by Dutch politician DiederikSamsom, everybody stood up when asked who wanted to participate in the project. We’ll do it.’ To celebrate, the road between Drachten and Leeuwarden will be closed off for a parade of futuristic vehicles on 14 July. You can go on green expeditions through Leeuwarden, using electric transport to a unique park with all the latest innovations. ‘In the course of three hours you’ll be entirely charged up!’ Do it with us! Come to the solar boat race, take a sustainable tour, or watch the futuristic parade. 2018.nl/en/fossilfreefriesland
ye ar maga zine lf2018