Have you ever heard of the Arvoredos Island?
This is a very special place to me, because I grew up looking at the island from the beach, just to find out years later that it was the first sustainable island in Latin America. That is why, as my first content for the ecotourism branch, I would like to introduce you to this little piece of heaven that is located on Praia de Pernambuco, Guarujá/SP, Brazil.
History
The Island was envisioned in the 50s by a genius named Fernando Eduardo Lee. At 1600 meters away from the beach and long before the term “sustainability” was ever created, Fernando was transforming a bunch of rocks in the middle of the sea into a sustainable oasis.
He was an extremely influential and well-related man, which made it possible to develop the 90-plus sustainable engineering technologies he developed. Including having the first solar panel in Latin America, and one of the first wind energy systems, as well as having the inauguration of a water tank in the format of a NASA Apollo 11 by a true NASA astronaut.
Fernando desired to have the island be self-sufficient, for that to happen, he would have to rely on three pillars: Water, Food, and Energy.
For water, he built a rainwater collection system literally on his house’s lawn by making layers of grass, sand, and rocks. Originally, the Island was a rock. Having no natural source of fresh water was one of Fernando's motivations for installing the rainwater collection system.
He built large tanks inside the island, capable of supplying water for a town of 3 thousand people, and along with that a cascading system to oxygen the water that came from the sky.
For food, he built a vegetable and fruit garden applying permaculture concepts, a philosophy of working that preaches working with nature and not against it, in an exploitative and degrading way. To achieve this, it uses both social and agrarian techniques, taking advantage of the natural characteristics of the environment to improve its planning. Already in the 1950s, Fernando used current permaculture concepts to arrange the Island's technologies, building his house close to the rainwater collection lawn and protected from the south wind by the wall of coconut trees.
The coconut trees were from Malaysia, they have a distinct orange-to-yellow color, which has more water than the traditional Brazilian green coconuts. To maintain the gardens and apply some zero-waste concepts, he also made a composter. In addition, he had as well a tilapia and shrimp tank that he raised to feed himself, his wife, and the guests they received occasionally. With all that they were able to fully live on the island, although the longer they stayed was up to three months.
For energy, he installed the first solar panels in Latin America on top of his roof, which he developed together with NASA. Fernando showed great concern about the constitution of our energy matrix, predominantly composed of non-renewable and highly polluting energy, such as oil and gas. Even renewable energy can have a high environmental and social impact. To install hydroelectric plants, for example, it is necessary to change the course of a river, build large dams, and displace riverside populations, causing high degradation. Therefore, Fernando has always considered solar energy as the energy of the future.
He also installed wind power propellers, one of the first of the Americas, on top of his lighthouse made from fiberglass and Kiri wood, a Chinese wood with high resistance and low permeability. Currently, wind propellers used to generate wind energy are built with plastic compounds, non-recyclable, and with low potential for reuse, being contradictory as the material that’s been used to generate clean energy is made from a non-sustainable material. How can we use polluting material and non-recyclable to generate “clean” energy? Therefore, the material used was Kiri wood, which could be recycled once the propeller was no longer used.
The way these propellers worked is similar to the propellers that exist today. The force of the wind causes these propellers to move, generating kinetic energy, inside the lighthouse, there was a control panel and a converter, which transformed this kinetic energy into electrical energy, which was then transported to and powered by generators underground of the lighthouse. The energy collected was able to light the house and heat the water from the showers.
Fernando was already applying some principles of the circular economy at that time, apart from the compost bin, one other example is that he used the rocks he dynamited to shape the island, to build his house, presenting an example of bioconstruction, an ecological construction model that seeks to reuse waste for its construction, reducing the impact of dumping this waste into nature and requiring less raw material.
Recently, thanks to the consultancy of Instituto Nova Maré - INMAR, who manage the island, and also I had the pleasure of participating, we were able to certify the Island with the Green Key (an international sustainability certification for the tourism industry establishments) as the first Sustainable Attraction of the Americas and the South Hemisphere.
How to visit
Today, thanks to the Sustainable World Project, a result of the partnership between the Instituto Nova Maré - INMAR and the Fernando Lee Foundation it is possible to visit this enchanted island! By clicking here you can book your visit now and live this extraordinary experience that is the Arvoredos Island.
Pro Tips for a Sustainable Guarujá Experience
Below are my personal sustainable favorites.
What to do:
Rio do Peixe
Given by the organization SOS Rio do Peixe, it's a boat trip across Rio do Peixe, where you get to see the Brazilian mangroves and palafita communities. A true community-based and cultural tourism, where you will be enchanted by the Brazilian fauna and flora, and learn and experience a little of the caiçara culture. Learn more here.
Instituto Gremar
The Gremar Institute is a non-governmental organization founded in 2002 and a pioneer in
State of São Paulo. They work with a focus on fauna management, research, and environmental education. Their main activities are rescuing and rehabilitating marine animals, and also provide environmental education. Their site has a marine exhibition that is open to visit. Learn more here.
Local Craft Fairs
The Guarujá Craft Fairs are perfect for a great stroll along the Beaches promenade and to support the local culture and economy. There, it will be possible to buy the traditional Brazilian hand-made accessories, such as bracelets, anklets, earrings, dreamcatchers, etc.
The Asturias Crafts Fair, which is located next to SESC, runs from 2 pm to 8 pm.
The Pitangueiras Crafts and Jewelry Fair (center of Guarujá), which has existed for over 25 years, is located on the boardwalk and also has a privileged view of the beach.
Where to stay:
Pousada Canto do Mar
Is located in the Jardim Guaiúba neighborhood, next to the beach. It is surrounded by two arms of Atlantic Forest forming an environment fully integrated with Nature. The beach also offers a wide promenade with grass and trees and restaurants with typical local caiçara food.
The inn possesses solar panels, a rainwater collecting system, and a vegetable garden.
Pousada Eldorado
Is located at Praia de Pernambuco, the same as Ilha dos Arvoredos. Perfect for friends, backpackers, and low-budget travelers. Charming, cozy, and full of nature, the inn offers bike rental services and possesses solar panel energy.
Where to eat:
Georgia Café
Cafe with the sea view of Praia do Tombo, a blue flag-certified beach. With incredible views to have breakfast or afternoon coffee. Everything there was thought out with great care: from the napkin holders on the tables made of colorful crochet, the decoration of the place, the dishes, the traditional music that is played... Is an amazing experience, and a must. Definitely one of my personal favorites, of course having several different and tasty vegan dishes. One of the best places in Guarujá.
Casa Tropical
An enchanted cafe located in the Guaiuba neighborhood, with special coffees, it is also a coworking space, meeting space, flower shop, and yoga space. From the songs that are played to the beautiful garden, casa Tropical creates the perfect atmosphere for an afternoon coffee, they make you never want to leave. Of course, there are different vegan dishes available, and shout out to their hazelnut cappuccino. Top 2 best places to eat in Guarujá!
Comentários