Today, we are going to shift our perspective and look at things that are going right. Specifically, we are going to explore projects taking care of our planet and gaining momentum. As you know, my focus is on Brazil — and it should be yours too, as much of what happens in Europe, climate-wise, is a reflection of what occurs there. That is why I have decided to highlight some initiatives in Brazil that stand out for their environmental preservation efforts.

The first initiative is Eco-barreira, developed by Diego Saldanha. Eco barreira aims to prevent plastic and other garbage from reaching the ocean by trapping trash in rivers.

In 2016, Diego Saldanha, a fruit seller inspired by his childhood memories and the need to improve the natural conditions of the Atuba River in Paraná state, installed an eco-barrier behind his house to collect the trash flowing through the water. Initially, the barrier was a simple, homemade system composed of 20-liter plastic jugs wrapped in a protective net and secured with ropes. You can find a video report by Climatempo on YouTube where Diego was hired to apply this technique to two other rivers in Paraná.

Diego’s project has gained significant visibility in recent years, allowing him to continuously improve the system in the Atuba River behind his house. For more updates on the eco-barrier’s progress, check out his Instagram @ecobarreiradiegosaldanha. But the project didn’t stop there; Diego also developed eco-sieves, wheeled sieves that collect solid waste from Brazilian beaches that you can see on the top right picture of his Instagram feed.

Another initiative highlighted by the World Economic Forum is “Formigas de Embaúba”, a non-profit organization that promotes environmental education by planting native mini-forests with students in public schools in Brazil. During a semester their team works with the school members preparing the soil for the planting and instructing the community on the Atlantic Forest biome.

Co-founded by Rafael Ribeiro, the project encompasses several objectives, including contributing to the greening and air quality improvement of São Paulo, restoring the Atlantic Forest biome by planting native species, educating children and adults about conservation, and promoting health through contact with nature. The expectation is that with the growth of the forest, it becomes an outdoor classroom that also enhances the well-being of the community surrounding it.

This project wouldn’t be possible without MapBiomas, a collaborative network, made up of NGOs, universities and technology startups that use satellite images to produce highly-detailed land use maps of Brazil. Together these initiatives are mapping the city of São Paulo to find suitable spots for the mini-forests.

To follow the development of the mini-forests throughout São Paulo and see participant testimonials, check out their Instagram page @formigasdeembaúba.

Finally, another noteworthy initiative in the countryside of São Paulo state is “A Floresta Encantada”. This socio-environmental education project was developed by Naativa, a socio-environmental business based in Sorocaba/SP, specializing in strategic solutions for the environmental licensing of business activities.

A Floresta Encantada is a project developed through partnerships with companies, organizations, and Municipal Education Secretariats. Its primary goal is to reconnect society with nature through theoretical classes and outdoor experiences that allow students to interact with nature. In 2022, the project won the Atlantic Forest Legacy Award from the Institute for Social Entrepreneurship.

The focus is on providing this transformative experience to students from public schools in Cotia and region. This is the seventh consecutive year of the project, which takes place annually at SymHouse, a space built exclusively for the project in partnership with Symrise AG. 

These initiatives exemplify how local efforts can contribute significantly to environmental preservation and education, inspiring others to act for the planet. And they rely on partnerships to exist and expand. So, if you are interested in collaborating with them or would like to donate, reach out to me or get in contact with them directly through the links shared in this article.