English
It´s about time that local governments started to worry “more” about the environment. Well, we say “start” – “Go Green” has been on the agenda for over 30 years; and yet we seem to have the same problem, which is that our natural resources are disappearing, and that nothing seems to be able to stop it happening. Ecocity&Industry 2011 brings to the table some questions about the conservation of the environment, and some potential solutions for industry and consumers.
This time round, Ecocity presents “Environmental solutions for industry and the city,” held via various installations in the Fira de Barcelona. The proposals are highly innovative – with issues broached such as waste and recycling, water shortage, renewable energies, prevention of labour risks, amongst others. The importance of this event is clear – not only for businesses, but the citizens of Barcelona, and indeed the rest of Spain and Europe.
During the previous Ecocity, which was in 2009, there were a total of 160 exhibitors and around 9000 visitors. One of the exclusives of the event was the new Barcelona waste bins, adapted for disabled people, and which will put in use from November 2011. In that case, I wonder how much more time has to pass before the local governments actually put their current ingenious solutions in place.
In general, I tend not write about these kinds of things – but it´s genuinely alarming how our cities are treating the environment. Adding to that the ongoing economic crisis, and the general sense of malcontent it has created, our cities will just become poorly mechanisms moving towards an generation of wasteland. It must be made clear that cities are an organised apparatus with its own rhythms, which are different to those of nature. It´s not a case therefore of placing limits between the environment and the concrete, but just being conscious that the modern city has surpassed the boundaries of peaceful coexistence with nature and the environment: so we have to learn to negotiate, daily, for the general well-being and a reduced production of waste.
Ecocity will divide its exhibition space and academic programme into four areas: Water, Waste, Energy and Air. As well as a presentation on the latest products on the market for waste reduction and water saving, there will be extensive conferences open to all in attendance, along with the Sustainable City Prize, organised by the Environmental Forum Foundation.
For more information, visit the website, http://www.ecocity.es/
SISTER RAY
If you´re an investigator, activist, student – or just curious, find apartments in Barcelona between the 18th and 20th of May and head down to Ecocity; it´ll be well worth it.
Translated by: Poppy
