Role Model Cities

Having seen a lot or little information about it, we all know about places that contribute highly to a more polluted world due to lack of organization: from the “almost sewerless” streets of Lagos, Nigeria to the starless sky of Beijing, People’s Republic of China.

The second has to be noted and applaud for the efforts made to clean its air. After being selected to host the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, Beijing spent about US$17 billion to clean the air, and one year later, official reports are saying the 9th most populous city in the world is enjoying its best air quality this decade. 

Another city that improved a lot due to hosting the Summer Olympic Games is Barcelona (1992). It helped the city to modernize existing areas and extend the limits (very carefully thought through) opening to the see as well, by reconstructing a decaying area of the city into the Olympic Village.

Today Barcelona is the sixth-most populous urban area in the European Union and a major economic centre in the world. Today it is a role model for a lot more than organized and thought-out growth, it is also an example to follow in the use of renewable energies: “Barcelona’s municipal regulation gives it an mandatory stature: 60% of water heating in new and renewed buildings and it’s full amount in water used for pools must come from solar energy. More than 25 thousand megawatts/hour of energy are saved annually. Barcelona will have more than a hundred thousand square meters of photovoltaic panels. Residents save more than 220 thousand euros per year in electricity taxes”. 

Barcelona

Quotations from National Geographic Portugal’s, O Estado do Planeta special issue. (Translated)

World at War

I hear people worrying about the possibility of a new war because of economic interests, I read everyday news about military moves from countries against others, and finally I wonder: are we humans or not?! How can’t we see we are fighting against the human race, against ourselves?! This is the real and only WORLD WAR.

We cannot pretend that we don’t know what we are doing. Maybe some people just prefer to forget how guilty they are, prefer to stay away of the consequences of humanity’s acts. But there is no place to hide, there is no escape. The only way to live is to stop the war we have created, is to start working for harmony between humans and human’s home, the Earth. There is no choice and everyone’s diligence is essential to change the misguided course of nature, to rebalance the planet. Let’s open our eyes before… the end! 

What if the world ended today because of our behavior? Would you be happy with what you have done? Did you recycle like the world asked for? Our turn out the light when you leave a room? Change the lamps for more efficient ones? “It will not make the difference” say some of you, how do you know that unless you try? Honestly at the beginning I thought the same but i started being more aware for the weather’s changes, lack of water, hunger … and I realized that I had been away, I want to make it up to you and for everyone, you know what I am talking about, it maybe happened to you as well, I doubt you covered your ears for the past days, months, years! The Governments are walking to the light more faster than I espected but without their people they are close to nothing, we need to follow them, we need to recicle, save water, invest in alternative resorces. The world needs you.

(i'm sorry but the movie is in Portuguese)

Translation: "Remember how your generation dreamed about changing the world?"
"Congratulations you have made it"
"Climate changes; the world asks for your help"