Eco-Vision
Greenpeace Guidelines for Ecosystem 1.0
The event site:
The main criterion for choosing the event site was to find a degraded place that could be recovered and used for cultural events by the people of the Amazon. The chosen location is 360,000 square meters of land that has been rehabilitated from exploitation caused by a quarry company over the last two decades. The quarry operations generated great impact on what has once been a pristine forest area. Despite the damage to the land the event site is surrounded by secondary forest (forest in advanced stage of recovery) and has four beautiful lakes, a waterfall and two igarapes(which are backwaters of main rivers). The place gives a true feeling of being in the Amazon, without having the need of chopping down trees or taking the risk of disturbing a delicate ecosystem. With some work, the site is becoming the first environmentally sound venue of the Amazon, which will be used as a platform to promote protection and culture of the rainforest.
Construction:
The permanent structure for the event site is being built with the best eco-technology available in Brazil. The goal is to ensure integration with the Amazon environment, privileging the views and the contact with nature. Therefore, aspects such as illumination and special effects will focus on the surrounding environment instead of creating an artificial club atmosphere. The two main tents will be made of FSC* certified timber from the Amazon, inspired by the ancient architecture of the Yanomami indigenous people. This means, for instance, that the air circulation system will be natural, avoiding the use of ozone-destroying air conditioning. The floating stage will be made of soft timber, also FSC certified, and will have a straw roof to protect the artists from the sun and the rain. On the electric and hydraulic installations, PVC, a plastic rich in chemical pollutants, will be replaced by iron and polyethylene. The dance floors will be covered with a layer of FSC certified plywood. The paints will be made of organic pigments and lime, and the colors will also be inspired on indigenous knowledge. Local communities will manufacture the benches, hammocks and straw mats to be used at the chill out areas, giving them a chance to expose their unique skills on sustainable use of natural resources. * The FSC is an independent labeling system, which ensures that the timber was logged attending highest environmental and social standards. Internationally recognized, it works as a guarantee that the timber comes from legal and sustainable sources. * For more information about the FSC check out www.fsc.org.br
Garbage:
All the garbage is going to be collected separately and sent to recycling or proper disposal. At the event site, the garbage bins will be properly identified, advising the public on how to dispose plastic, glass, aluminum, old batteries, cigarette butts and organic waste. Another principle is to reduce the amount of garbage, going for biodegradable materials where possible and for instance, to use returnable glasses instead of plastic glasses. We are counting on the cooperation of the public to keep the event site clean and to be successful with the recycling.
Transport:
The transportation of the public to and from the venue will be exclusively by bus. Cars will be avoided at the maximum. A rotation system of buses leaving from the main hotels and places of Manaus will make it possible for the public to go to the venue at any time, making unnecessary the use of cabs or private cars. Promotion of renewable energy Solar energy will be promoted at the venue as a clean, safe and viable option for fossil and nuclear fuels. Still very incipient in Brazil, the goal is to inform people of the existence of renewable alternatives to generate electricity. Sewage treatment: The sewage will receive biological treatment in order to avoid contamination of the soil and water sources.
Food:
The catering of the event will privilege local Amazon dishes specially fruit based juices and ice creams. Endangered fish species will not be part of the menu, as well as genetic engineered (GE) ingredients. A list of the GE food available at the Brazilian market will guide the caterers. Promotional materials: Nontoxic materials are being used for the promotion of the event. All information is being printed on chlorine free, recycled paper. The printed materials will not only bring information on artists, but also details of the Greenpeace campaign to protect the Amazon. The T-shirts will be confectioned with raw cotton and printed with organic pigments.
Local NGOs:
Parallel to the music event, several local and non-local organizations working with the protection of the Amazon and its people will be present, promoting their ideas and goals. A set of kiosks for information and public engagement is part of the permanent structure for the event. There will also be a dedicated area for presentations and exhibitions, allowing you to get in touch with the Amazon reality, to access information and get involved. Another important information is that 33% of the funds raised with the entrances to the event will be donated to the Greenpeace campaign to protect the Amazon. Greenpeace will use such resources to increase its capacity to investigate, denounce and act against crimes to nature.
Security:
Following the pacifism principle, the security of the event, inside and outside the site, will have no guns. We rely on the good spirit of the public to make this a peaceful celebration of life and the Amazon rainforest.
Volunteer work:
Ecosystem 1.0 is not a commercial event. It's a non-profit event. All artists are coming to perform with no charges, and most of the people involved with the production of the event are working on a volunteer basis. The spirit of the event is the spirit of celebrating life and nature, combining environmental protection with cultural vanguard, and counting on the support of different sectors of society to make it come true