It's almost time for the grad students to hop into their cars and drive to class. But Jeffry Juadiong has already begun his two-mile commute from his apartment to Carnegie Mellon's South Australia campus—he left earlier because his mode of transportation is his two feet.
Along with lugging his course materials, he has a walking log book and a pedometer attached to his belt. Traffic whizzes by on the streets of Adelaide as he is joined by several friends, all walking, too, as participants in the TravelGreen Initiative, sponsored in part by the South Australia government, to encourage commuters to reduce their carbon footprints by walking, cycling, or using public transportation. It's not just about who walks the longest distance, but who shows the most enthusiasm for the program and commitment to reducing carbon emissions.
Back home in the Philippines, Juadiong was a police officer. Although his role centered on public safety, his responsibilities often took him outdoors to the forests, where he planted trees and participated in coastal clean-up and fun runs—events to help promote awareness about keeping the local coast clean.
In Adelaide, the daily miles he logs begin to pay off. His information technology management classmates note that he looks more trim and fit. After three months, with more than 105 miles logged, he is named South Australia's TravelGreen Student Champion.
Juadiong earned his degree last year and returned to the Philippines, where he continues to work in law enforcement and is educating and leading by green example.
—Lisa Kay Davis (HS'09)
