In 1992, the United Nations (UN) designated March 22 as “Water World Day.” Since this lady who is writing to you was unable to celebrate the date as a result of an infection, I’m posting my tribute to this precious liquid today. It is the origin of life—find out why.
Friends, colleagues, future acquaintances, anyone… It’s common to have people asking questions about science and the environment. Because I’m closely related to Hélio Nóbile Diniz, hydrogeologist—a scientist who specializes in water—the questions about the liquid are the most frequent ones.
So, I’ve selected the three most popular questions. They were answered by the researcher. Get ready:
1. Is it true that we will run out of drinking water soon?
No. Drinking water results from the evaporation of sea water. As long as this evaporation continues to occur, we will have drinking water. By the way, it is worth emphasizing one detail regarding pollution. What saves the Earth from a water shortage is salt present in the sea. The sea water is a solution with an electric charge, dissolved ions and free electrons… They can react against pollutants, absorbing or dissolving them. If the sea water were not salty, I agree that we would face a shortage of the liquid.
2. What’s the country with the highest concentration of fresh water in the world?
Canada has 50% of the world’s fresh water due to its lakes, rivers, and glaciers. Brazil is in second place, with 14%.
3. Will water cost more than oil in a near future?
Once again, no. Water is very abundant while oil is a rare liquid. Now, about the issue of countries engaging in a war due to a shortage of water… I believe that wars are something that doesn’t make any sense. We can and should solve issues through diplomacy.
Note: The photo above was taken at a fantasy island, Ibiza. I can’t recall by whom: myself or my friend Natália Takashiro. By the way, the UN has drafted the “Universal Declaration on Water Rights.” It’s short, read it here.
On March 28, at 8:30 pm, people from all over the world will turn off their lights for one hour. It’s for the Earth Hour event, whose purpose is to reach one billion people in over 1,000 cities, united in a global effort to show that it is possible to take measures to decrease global warming.
Earth Hour started in 2007, in Sydney, Australia. On that occasion, 2.2 million households and businesses participated by turning off their lights for one hour. One year later, it became a global sustainability event, involving up to 50 million people in 35 participating countries. Landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, the Coliseum in Rome, and the Coca-Cola billboard in Times Square went totally dark for one hour to symbolize hope for a cause that is becoming increasingly urgent.
Earth Hour is a message of hope and a message of action. Everybody can make a difference. Join the group of people who will turn off their lights at 8:30 pm, on Saturday, March 28, and register here to be included in the count.
Read this post at the Sturm Und Drang blog: Darkness that bring light
The Greenpeace tour has started and the Arctic Sunrise ship has already been to Manaus, Belem and Fortaleza and received over 8,000 visitors. Today, February 14, the ship is in Recife and will soon be in Salvador, Rio de Janeiro, and Santos.
During the World Social Forum and at the guests-only events—guests like Carlos Minc, Minister of the Environment—held on board the boat, Greenpeace activists talked about the importance of the oceans, of investing in renewable energies and of conserving nature in order to curb global warming.
Follow the Arctic’s stops at Brazilian cities.
And participate in this campaign by signing a petition that urges President Lula to adopt effective measures to save the climate.
Next stops:
* Recife - February 14 and 15
* Salvador - March 7 and 8
* Rio de Janeiro - March 21 and 22
* Santos - March 28 and 29
Image: from here.
Source: http://www.greenpeace.org/brasil
Read this post at the Sturm Und Drang blog: Salve the Planet. Participate.
The gang is excited about tomorrow’s party at Twestival SP. (Remember that other cities in Brazil and around the world are also involved.) The girly girls are already in top shape, getting organized with food donations. To add to the festivities, RedCube has produced this great looking t-shirt that is worth your donation.
The R$ 15 you pay for the t-shirts will be donated in full to charity:water. Show up at Espaço Gafanhoto/Pix tomorrow, after 7pm, and guarantee your contribution to the “waterless,” and enjoy a kick-ass party—which will be going on around the world…
Read this post at the Ladybug Brasil blog: Twestival has a t-shirt that is worth a donation
I had never been to Belem. Even though I have relatives living there, I only took a trip to the Brazilian mango capital because of Greenpeace—there, mango trees are everywhere, delighting the population and terrorizing drivers. I felt as if I were home, especially because the locals stress the ‘S’ and the ‘R’ just like people from Rio de Janeiro. I found out that I have cousins in town, Ivanir and Dolores, lovely people. It was great to spend an afternoon with them, feasting on açai and bacuri and drinking cupuaçu juice while we listened to thousands of parakeets (or maritacas, who knows) that had built their nests on top of a huge tree just across from the Nossa Senhora de Nazaré Church and my cousins’ apartment building. I had a great time in Belem enjoying the heat, the refreshing afternoon rain, the richness of the local cuisine, the kindness of their people, the proximity to the Amazon Rainforest, the music (the local reggae is brilliant!).
I hope to return one day, preferably with my children.
Letting so much time pass without updating the blog is not a good idea because, in the meantime, so many things happen that it is hard to put them all in a post without making it too long and tiresome to read. Anyway, I’m going to open the floodgates on my memory and just let things flow, especially because I’m already in Fortaleza and need to get up early tomorrow to set up some interviews for my friend Baitelo, the star of this leg of the Save the Planet expedition. It’s Now or Now.
As I was saying, I spent an afternoon with my cousins, the children of my grandfather’s brother. I don’t know this part of the family, I mean, I knew about them, but had never really met them, except for that one time we had dinner at a pizza place, a year ago, during a trip they took to Sao Paulo. When my father reminded me of them, I called them up and made plans to meet for lunch, breakfast, visit the ship and everything, but what really worked was the “play by it ear” thing (as always). I went with Mari on foot to try to catch up with the march that had already left Docas Station. Midway, I remembered that my cousins lived in that area so I called them and we ended up watching part of the Latin American leftist march from the seventh floor of a building located across the church square. When Greenpeace’s huge inflatable bull emerged at the corner, we ran downstairs to catch a ride.
One of the things that surprised me the most in Belem was the kindness with which the locals welcomed Greenpeace. Yes, there were some concerns about security, we were warned not to walk around the streets wearing our Greenpeace shirts, to ignore any provocations, etc.—after all, Para is among those states with the highest rates of deforestation where people who defend the forests are killed (even a missionary in her seventies like Dorothy Stang). But nothing happened, on the contrary. I saw people swearing their love to Greenpeace, begging for a shirt or at least a little ribbon, wanting to get on board regardless of the destination, demanding that we create a volunteer group in the city. We won them over—and they won us over.
I also fell in love with the local cuisine. I don’t care much for fish, but in Belem I practically ate only fish. Filhote ao tucupi, pirarucu with a bean salad, tambaqui and rice with jambu, and everything came with a generous side of manioc flour. By the way, the number of things we can do with manioc is impressive—flour, sauce, appetizers, dough, ice cream. It’s a gift. I also ate many times on the boat, great food, prepared by Iracema (from Manaus) and by a Filipino cook whose name I just can’t remember now (oops, my bad…) I really wanted to get on board and come to Fortaleza, but I was left out this time. Anyway, I had to arrive earlier to contact the media for all of the activities that we are conducting here in Ceara—in addition to the “open boats,” there is a seminar on wind energy and a meeting with Fortaleza’s restaurant and supermarket owners to show them the negative impacts of shrimp farming in the environment. Maybe next time, who knows?
It’s a shame that I was unable to see more of the World Social Forum. I’ve only been there twice, only attended talks by Greenpeace, and had little contact with the other organizations present there. But the atmosphere was cool and very diverse. Highlights included the indigenous tribes in attendance and the large shed built to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Cuban revolution. I hope that WSF will soon return to the Amazon.
Still in Belem, I met people that I hadn’t seen for a long time, like Oona, João and Sérgio Amadeu, who helped me organize a good farewell party for Greenpeace in the city—a show by Fernando, from Teatro Mágico, in front of the ship. The artist went for it immediately and the show was very cool—approximately 300 people gathered in front of the Arctic Sunrise. The video of this improvised soirée is down below. We are already planning on a repeat, just wait!
There were so many good vibrations that soon after we had a party at the ship’s heliport and, from there, we went to a street carnival, at Praça do Carmo, and stayed there until four in the morning. Since the night was young, we still had time to catch a performance by Juca Culatra and Power Trio, at Açaí Biruta. Great music! And it got even better when Fernando, who had joined us, was recognized by the guitar player and called onto the stage. They played a song from Teatro (I really don’t know which one) and the crowd cheered, just as like when the group started playing Umbabarauma, by Jorge Ben, to wrap up the presentation. I recorded a little bit; it’s down below too.
The sun rose, our energies vanished and we returned to the hotel feeling as light as feathers. On the next day, the ship’s last in Belem, everybody was tired, but happy. At the end of the day, we disassembled everything and stored it on the ship which, at this exact moment, is sailing to Fortaleza—it should arrive here on the 6th.
Well, if my fading memory didn’t fail me, this is more or less what I saw and experienced in these last few days. Now it’s on to Fortaleza. Tomorrow I’m going to meet with my friend Sávio, who has left the good life in Sao Paulo to live an even greater life here, in the land of Sasha Grey. Right on!
I think this post is long enough to allow me to skip a few days without any postings, isn’t it? Anyway, let’s see what we can do. See ya!
(There was not enough time to upload the photos and videos of Juca Culatra. I’ll do it tomorrow.)
Teatro Mágico and Greenpeace together in Belém (January/2009)
Read this post at the O Escriba blog: Magic moments in Belem
Read this post at the Guindaste blog: The jungle
On February 12, Thursday, we have a date in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. It’s Twestival, a worldwide live event that will happen in over 100 cities around the world. In addition, we are going to raise funds for the Charity:Water, an NGO that works to bring drinkable water to people in developing countries.
Did you know that 1.1 billion people on this Planet go thirsty?
The organization is managed by @fernandosouza, from TwitterBrasil, in Sao Paulo and by @lesilva in Rio de Janeiro.
In the beginning there was London…
In September of 2008, a group of Twitterers from London decided to organize an event where the local Twitter community could meet offline, see the faces behind the avatars, have fun, and above all, raise funds for a charitable institution that takes care of the homeless. Organized within two weeks, Twestival gathered 300 people (and there was a waiting list) and allowed whoever was necessary to collaborate.
Of course, the media was interested and there was a new event in London. The organizers decide to hold one event every three months—and they were also curious to find out if this concept could be translated to other cities around the world. Gathering twitterers from all over the globe in events held on the same day on behalf of institutions is something that shows another facet of this tool.
Charity:water
Charity:water is a non-profit organization that brings drinkable, clean and safe water to people in developing nations. One hundred per cent of the funds raised go straight to projects, financing sustainable drinking water solutions, where potable water is most needed. They also work to increase awareness of the water crisis through events, fund raising exhibitions, and other awareness raising campaigns. Many communities in developing countries oftentimes have an abundant stock of clean and drinkable water, right below the surface of the ground, but are unable to use it. This is where charity:water and its partner organizations come in. Drilling a well can cost from US$4,000 to US$12,000, and people who live with less than US$1 per day cannot bear this expense even with the involvement of the entire community.
How to Donate.
Anyone and everyone can make a donation through the Twestival page, on the charitywater website. There are no predefined amounts, so feel free. To make a donation, select the city it will be related to, which can be either Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro. Here in Sampa, the meeting will be at Espaço PIX/Gafanhoto (Av. Rebouças, 3181 - Pinheiros), which is very well known by the gang—we know how to squeeze ourselves in there, don’t we? Make your donation and keep an eye on the official websites to find out what’s going on.
Update: Hey guys? Let’s start donating? Twestival has received only US$263 so far…
Read this post at the Ladybug Brasil blog: Tweetfestival Brasil
– Carol, what’s that little package in the fridge?
– Hmmm…
– Carol?
– I’m out here!
– What are you doing there on the floor?
– Getting Tak’s lunch.
– Whose???
– Eustáquio’s.
– Eustáquio?
– Yep. What did you ask?
– There’s a package in the fridge…
– Don’t touch his food!
– Food? But it’s a very small package…. What’s in it? Peas?
– Well, I wish it was… But I’m the only vegetarian in this house.
– Carol, I’m sorry, but what’s that that you’re doing?
– Getting Estáquio’s lunch, Val. It’s hard. They escape from me. And I don’t want to kill anyone. He needs them alive. But, because he’s too small, he can’t eat them fast and the meal escapes. Because of that I put one in the fridge, to let it a little groggy. It’s almost as if it was put under. This way it’s less cruel.
– There are ants in the fridge?!?!?
– Just one, Vale. Don’t panic, I closed the package really well.
– There’s a living ant in the fridge?
– Asleep.
– I never worked for someone that kept living ants in packages in the fridge to feed a carnivorous plant!
– There’s always a first time …
– I want a raise.
PS: After a long and gloomy winter sponsored by Net, I’m back, missing you!
Read the original post in Portuguese (Guindaste Blog): O almoço.
Saint Eve, from Silveira Neto’s Flickr
I had the opportunity, today, of reading statement-interview, with Vilma Peramezza, trustee of the “Conjunto Nacional” (National Complex) and a pioneer in selective collection. She brings lots of sensible subjects and came, almost together with other news, published in OGlobo (newspaper), that I read in the Recycling Pages: Cetesb will count the cities that export their garbage.
On days prior to Christmas, besides the traffic that is totally crazy, life is flagged with consumption appeal. Formal workers usually get some extra money, here comes the time to fill the bottom of the tree with gifts and everybody goes to the mall.
The results of this consumption are millions of tons of… garbage. Many times, recyclable. In all of the Sao Paulo state, so tells us that article from the Recycling pages, only 5% of all garbage is recycled. In the capital, 2%. It’s worth to emphasize that the National Complex, thanks to continued education already recycles 15% of its garbage. With very little economic advantage. And, according to Cetesb, 30% or 35% of the garbage that go to embankments, is recyclable. Such precious space spent with what shouldn’t be there – and that, not to talk about the soil and spring contamination.
When you buy a gift, do you think about it? Probably not. I think you should. I’ve never hesitated in buying a book – one of the gifts that I love giving the most. But, I’ve thought it over one zillion times: the packages. I never let the store pack it, I don’t need a plastic bag – why do I have my ecobag? – and I use everything. I’ve given a present, once, rapped in newspaper with the most beautiful ribbon. A friend of mine, invented, long time ago, a very simple package, in light green silk paper (that I think is not very ecologic) with red ribbon. These simple games – and a lot more personal – make all difference.
I invite you all: what if, almost Christmas, we imagine, really, more ecologic gifts? Reminding us that the world can be sweeter, less pasteurized and better taken care of. What do you suggest?
Project led by the architects from NL, reunited 100 trees in 100 shopping carts in a square, for the Urban Play event, in Amsterdam, Holland. The carts were put in a way, to block people from doing their usual way, forcing them to divert and walk in the middle of the mobile forest.
All of the trees, after the event ended (which lasted six weeks), have been donated, so, any person could grab a cart and take the tree home or plant in any urban space.
The Urban Play event is an international project organized by Droog Design, created and curated by Scott Burnham and presented as part of ExperimentaDesign Amsterdam 2008.
moving forest from michael schoner on Vimeo.
Moving Forest
NL Architects: Pieter Bannenberg, Walter van Dijk, Kamiel Klaasse
Structure:
Experimenta Design 2008 Amesterdam
Commissionaire:
Droog Design / Urban Play Event 2
Projects Manager: Maaike Gottschall
Dean:
Scott Burnham
Designer / Project Architect:
General Yamamoto (Design)
Daan Roggeveen (Organization)
Are you dying to adopt a pet, but don’t have the space or time to take care of it and, worst, your son is allergic? No problem at all. If you can’t have a cat or a dog close by, stay close to them, at least in your heart: adopt one virtually.
There are lots of ways of being responsible for one of the million abandoned cats and dogs. You can act as a godfather to one of them and deposit an amount, periodically, in order to have a NGO or a volunteer maintaining it healthy and happy. It is also possible to donate pet food, pet beds and medicine that the moustaches and snouts need to be ok.
There’s an easier way of making difference to those guys. You only have to go to one of the various “garage sales” that the NGOs of adoption organize in the end of the year and buy something. This Sunday (11/30), there’s the meeting of Adote um Gatinho (Adopt a little cat), one of the most serious and committed entities with the rescue and care of cats (and sometimes dogs!) dumped on the streets.
I’ll be there from 15h to 18h. The Bazar de Natal da Adote um Gatinho, will be on Desembargador Ferreira França, 40, in the parties saloon, of the block B (really close to the Pôr-do-Sol square, in Pinheiros, São Paulo, Brazil). Maybe we can meet?
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