Catalytic Communities is about to embark on a new project called Rio Floresta, a planting and community mobilization project designed to improve the lives of Rio’s approximately six million residents.
Currently, the North Zone – home to 2 million people – is 3°C warmer than the famously posh South Zone of Rio. This temperature disparity results from a variety of reasons, the foremost being the misappropriation of fires, and the absence of trees. We want to fix these problems. Permanently.
Our basic idea is the following: we wish to empower residents so they can effectively combat global climate change. We would like to train residents to plant and care for trees in the areas that need them the most. By involving and educating the residents, we hope the benefits of forestation and reforestation will become powerfully apparent.
Naturally, an increase in the tree canopy will result in cleaner water and air. The increase of trees will also provide a cooling effect for the city and will improve the natural habitat for other plants and animals. Residents will also benefit as the increase of trees will raise property values, provide job, educational, and volunteer opportunities, and reduce levels of crime and stress. Not to mention, an increased number of trees will also encourage tourism and prompt commerce.
Along with planting and educating, we will be encouraging the city of Rio to follow through with its plans to plant three million tree saplings in preparation for the 2016 Olympic Games. According to Brazil’s Environment Minister Carlos Minc, the Games – with a budget of $14.5 billion – will strive to be a totally green competition. This means that Rio will be able to offset the 716 tons, or roughly two year’s worth, of carbon emissions expected as a result of the Olympic Games. 
So, as the athletes begin their low-carb diets, so too, will the city of Rio. Although it may take more than planting trees to completely counteract Rio’s projected carbon emissions, planting three million saplings is a good start. The next logical step is to involve the public to ensure the continued survival of these trees as well as the health and well-being of Rio’s residents and athletes.
Concern for the environment was one of the cornerstones of Rio’s bid for the 2016 Games. Now that we’ve won, we are all in a race of Olympic proportions. We are racing against time to bring Brazil and the world up to speed. We want to catch global climate change, and if we sprint like Olympians, as suggested by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, we all will have the opportunity to overtake our competition, and become champions.
Latest posts by Acoirac
- Sex and Violence Sells: But Please, No Gawking Allowed! - May 10th, 2010
- World Urban Forum: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - March 25th, 2010
- It All Started with Our Apple IIGS... - February 23rd, 2010
- Removal is a Social Crime! - February 18th, 2010
- Vacation, All I Ever Wanted - February 1st, 2010
- My City of Ruins - January 25th, 2010
- Community Theater: Nós do Morro - January 12th, 2010
- You Down with UPP (Yeah you know me) - January 8th, 2010
- Day in the Life: MENGO! MENGO! MENGO, PORRA! ! - December 29th, 2009
- Rio Secures Giuliani for Security - December 17th, 2009
