Jun 22, 2012 05:10 PM

Rio +20 continues until Sunday at Parque dos Atletas

CNO Rio+20

The event is open to the public and admission is free of charge

Rio+20 ends today, but Parque dos Atletas will run its events until Sunday (June 24). Anyone who wants to learn more about sustainable development in a fun, innovative and interactive way has a wide range of options in the 44 pavilions of the Parque dos Atletas, one of the spaces of Rio+20. On site, there are exhibits from 31 countries, 16 companies, 17 states and 18 Brazilian cities, 18 of the UN System agencies, bodies of the Legislative and Judicial branches and 15 national and international governmental organizations.

The activities are intended for both adults and children. Fun is guaranteed within ‘Eletrobrás’ and ‘Furnas’ Space, in which people can experience different ways of generating clean, renewable energy. In this 5D simulation, the visitor receives stimuli information from all the senses and has fun with a few minor scares when receiving splashed water and wind gusts on them.

Another interesting option is to play the Rio Forward +50 game, released in the Pavilion of UNEP. Though the game, the visitor will decide how Rio will be in 50 years. The game tackles climate change and sustainable development in general, engaging citizens in a playful way to discuss topics related to economics and governance. The game shows how actions have an effect on the environment and encourages decision-making in a collective and conscious way.

A smart model at the Pavilion of Qatar simulates climate change in a central district of the capital, Doha, which is being revitalized. Smart is also the production of furniture made from plastic, at the Braskem Space. A Recycling Plant was established at the site to show visitors how plastic wood is made and how to assemble furniture in this material.

The electric car of the Post Office and all of the production line of bags and pillows made from the recycled pouches of the postmen caught the public’s eye. The hydrogen hybrid bus with electric traction, a Brazilian technology developed in partnership with Coppe/UFRJ, invites the public to walk around Riocentro.

Healthy eating is another topic of the event, presented in an organic vegan cookbook. For the visually impaired, there are important publications presented in Braille, such as the Constitution of Brazil.

Weekend special

A special attraction was scheduled for the weekend; the screening of the film "The Lost Paradise of Africa" at the Rio Pavilion Convention. The film presents the project of restoration of the Gorongosa Park, an area of 4.000 km ² in central Mozambique. The site is known as the one where Noah left his ark, because of the richness of its fauna.

The Parque dos Atletas will work throughout the weekend, June 23 and 24, from 10 am to 8 pm. Both the access to it and admissions are free of charge. Visitors that go by car can park their car at the ‘Autodromo Jacarepaguá’ and from there catch a bus to the Parque dos Atletas. Both free of charge.