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Manual of Environmental
Etiquette 2.0
NEW IDEAS ON HOT TO REACT GRACEFULLY TO GLOBAL
WARMING AND OTHER CURRENT CHALENGES
sponsorship
I n n o v a t i o n i n e n v i r o n m e n t, c u l t u r e , s o c i e t y a n d e c o n o m y.
www.planetasustentavel.com.br
fabio colombini
The Movement
PLANETA SUSTENTÁVEL is a communications movement that promotes
the discussion of innovative ideas in the areas of the environment, urban
issues, public policy and corporate responsibility. There are 36 widely circulating Editora Abril magazines and their respective sites participating.
The movement is responsible for organizing events and publishing material, such as this MANUAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL ETIQUETTE 2.0, which
brings you tips on how to incorporate sustainability into your daily routine.
The site, www.planetasustentavel.com.br receives more than 200 thousand
visitors surfing the net who are interested in the 3.5 thousand articles,
interviews, book reviews and videos, lesson plans and interactive media
collected and/or generated by the movement. PLANETA SUSTENTÁVEL is
now entering its third year. Supported by six partnering companies and a
group of advisors, our objective is to bring the discussion of sustainability
to the general public. The future is now.
Matthew Shirts
Manual Outline
Tips are organized into 5 chapters:
Sustainable
Neighbor
In each of the chapters
there is a specific tip for
mobilizing communities toward
sustainability, whether in
a condominium, a village or
shanty town, or simply on the
street where you live.
Water
Energy Conscientious Consumption
Recycling
Citizenship
The ideas in this booklet aim to orient and inspire
conscientious consumption in order to save the
planet’s natural resources, and help create a new
way of living that reduces the negative impact on
us and future generations.
Effort vs Impact
MANUAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL ETIQUETTE 2.0 is a publication of the PLANETA SUSTENTÁVEL
Movement and Editora Abril Publishing House. Collaborators in this edition: Text—Caco de Paula,
Matthew Shirts, Afonso Capelas Jr. e Mônica Pileggi. Art—Mondo Yumi. Photos—Cacá Bratke and Fabio
Colombini. Production—Mario Mantovanni. Copyediting—Marta Magnani. Site—Mônica Nunes, Thays
Prado, Débora Spitzcovsky, Tiago Yonamine and Marcio Sartorello. We’d like to thank the following
for their participation—Carlos Nobre, Hélio Mattar, Ladislau Dowbor, Marcelo Morgado and the other
advisors of PLANETA SUSTENTÁVEL.
The development
of Environmental
Policy in Brazil
More Ideas on the Site
Learn more tips and how to put
them into practice on
The rating seen below each tip indicates a relationship between the energy exerted (effort) of putting
these ideas into practice and the beneficial impact
that the effort brings. It is a well intentioned, nonscientific evaluation.
EFFORT
Impact
www.planetasustentavel.com.br/manual
Orders from the King (Former Portuguese Laws Compiled
in Codes): Laws organized by Don Manuel I dedicate chapters
for the preservation of natural resources, like the
criminalization of cutting down fruit trees.
PAU-BRAZIL (BRAZILWOOD) STATUTE: A WATERSHED
IN FOREST POLICY. IT IS THE FIRST LAW OF USE
AND PRESERVATION OF THE ATLANTIC RAINFOREST.
A SERIES OF CHARTERS CONSOLIDATE NEW
ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS. THE “CONSERVATIONIST JUDGES”
APPLY THE PENALTIES OUTLINED IN THE LAW.
1514
1605
1797
Water
ALMOST 20% OF THE PLANET’S POPULATION (MORE THAN
1 BILLION PEOPLE) DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO POTABLE WATER.
CHECKING FOR LEAKS IN THE HOUSE IS EASY. Turn
off all of the faucets, stop consumption and check to see if
the hydrometer still spins. If it does, you are wasting water
and money.
EFFORT
Impact
A GOOD WAY TO SAVE WATER IS THE USE OF AERATORS, wire mesh installed in faucets and even showerheads. They add air, and a more intense flow, while reducing water consumption.
EFFORT
Impact
TOILET BOWLS WITH AN
ATTACHED BOX use 6 li-
Brushing your teeth,
shaving, lathering
the dishes with the
faucet on, is a pure
waste of clean water.
ters of water per flush,
instead of the more than
20 liters used in the conventional wall valves.
Modern models even
have a double switch for
3 and 6 liters, which can
be added according to
necessity.
EFFORT
Impact
EFFORT
Impact
The water that comes out of the washing
machine can be reused to clean the floor.
THRO WING OUT O LD
PAINT, varnish, insecticides and other chemical products in the toilet bowl or in the drain
contaminates water and
doubles the work of sanitation companies. If you
have leftovers, donate
t h e m . C i g a r e t t e b u t t s,
condoms and tampons
can clog plumbing.
Sustaina
Neighbo ble
rhood
Installi
ng
gauges m individual water
oti
of water uvates reduction
in buildin se. Investing
a green nei g cisterns is also
ghborh
which can ood practice,
lower ever even
yon
water bill. e´s
EFFORT
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EFFORT
Impact
Did you know that
watering the garden and
plants in the morning
or evening prevents the
water from evaporating?
And that on colder days
you can water every
other day without drying
out the plants?
By recommendations of José Bonifácio,
the first instructions for reforestation
of the Brazilian coast are elaborated.
In Rio de Janeiro the Royal Botanical Garden
is created by Dom João VI. Pioneer of its time,
the conservation area spans 2.5 thousand
hectares. Today there are just 137 hectares left.
EMANCIPATION IS GIVEN TO
SLAVES WHO DENOUNCE THE
SMUGGLING OF THE NATIVE
WOOD, PAU-BRASIL.
A DECREE PROHIBITING
LOGGING IN THE CARIOCAN
AREA OF RIO WHERE THERE ARE
NASCENT SPRINGS IS SIGNED.
THE AREA OF DEFORESTED LAND IN OVER THREE
CENTURIES OF MONARCHY IS LESS THAN 30 THOUSAND
SQUARE KM”. TODAY, IN THE AMAZON ALONE, MORE
IS DEFORESTED IN THE SPAN OF MERELY 3 YEARS.
1802
1808
1809
1817
1830
Electric Energy
ALMOST 87% OF THE ENERGY PRODUCED IN BRAZIL COMES
FROM HYDROELECTRIC PLANTS — CLEAN BUT LIMITED SOURCES.
THREE
useful tips
for saving
energy with
the washing
machine:
IT SEEMS INCREDIBLE, but occasionally cleaning light
bulbs in the house can help save energy.
Opening the
refrigerator,
trying to
decide what
to eat wastes
energy
EFFORT
Impact
MANY PEOPLE USE MICROWAVE OVENS as a
SOLAR CHARGERS ARE
A L READY AVAI L AB L E
c l o c k i n t h e k i t c h e n,
leaving the machine on
day and night even without using it. This small
negligence contributes
significantly to the increase in consumption
of electricity.
for portable electronic
equipment. They are a
little more expensive,
but guarantee free,
clean energy for cellular phones, MP3, MP4
and digital cameras for
years and years.
EFFORT
Impact
Gather a reasonable
quantity of clothes
to wash together (this
is also recommended
for ironing), instead
of a few items
at a time
Wash clothes
in cold water
to save 90%
of the energy
EFFORT
Impact
IN THE PLEASURABLE LATE NIGHT READING HOURS
EFFORT
Impact
“Pre-wash”
is synonymous
with energy waste.
It’s sufficient to
merely soak dirty
clothes in detergent
before turning on
the washing machine
using a reading lamp is an elegant and intelligent
choice. Aside from creating a cozy and romantic
atmosphere, a reading lamp makes using the more
powerful lighting unnecessary.
THE MORE HIGH TECH NOVELTIES YOUR REFERIGERATOR HAS,
EFFORT
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the more energy is consumed; so opt for simple. You’ll also save
money avoiding the ”fancier” models.
Sustaina
Neighbo ble
rhood
Solar ener
g
shower w y panels for heatin
at
g
increasinger are becoming
ly
Discuss th cost viable.
e
of installa possibility
ti
your neighon with
bors.
EFFORT
Impact
MINISTER ALMEIDA TORRRES PROPOSES A SERIES
OF LAND DISAPPROPRIATIONS AND TREE PLANTING
TO SAVE THE FORESTS OF RIO DE JANEIRO.
DON PEDRO II CREATES THE TIJUCA AND PAINEIRAS FOREST
IN THE AREAS DEFORESTED FOR COFFEE PLANTATIONS
—CURRENTLY KNOWN AS THE NATIONAL PARK OF TIJUCA.
THE FIRST FOREST RESEREVE
IS CREATED IN THE FORMER
TERRITORY OF ACRE.
LAND CLAIMS WAR
(OR WAR OF THE BALD)
THE BRAZILIAN FORESTRY
SERVICE IS CREATED
—THE CURRENT IBAMA
THE FIRST CONSERVATION ENTITY
OF BRAZIL IS INAUGURATED –
THE ITATIAIA NATIONAL PARK
1844
1861
1911
1912 a 1916
1921
1937
Citizenship
BEING A GOOD CITIZEN MEANS TANKING PART IN THE
DECISIONS THAT MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR EVERYONE.
WE HAVE THE RIGHT AND THE RESPONSIBILITY
TO DENOUNCE ABUSES against the environment,
such as toxic dumping in rivers, deforestation, and
the mistreatment of animals. Holding our elected
officials responsible is also part of our citizenship.
WALKING YOUR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL
is healthy. It encourages your child to
walk and pay closer attention to where
he or she lives. If it is not possible to
walk, carpool with other members of the
school community.
EFFORT
Impact
L EAVING Y O UR C AR IN THE
GARAGE CAN BE EVEN MORE
COMFORTABLE THAN YOU IMAGINE. Using public transportation
outside of rush hours makes finding
a seat easy and affords you the time
to read the newspaper or enjoy a
good book.
Those who like the company of
house pets can adopt instead
of spending money at the pet shop.
This attitude helps remove a cat or
dog from the street, preventing
illnesses such as rabies.
AN ECOLOGICAL SIDEWALK has
grass or flower beds and even trees,
rather than predominately cement.
This makes for a pleasing visual
landscape, helps to absorb rainwater
and contributes to a higher quality
of life in the city.
Frequenting parks
and outdoor areas
is more than simply
relaxing. It also helps
strengthen important
ties to nature and the
community in the public
spaces of your neighborhood and city. Bringing
your children on these
outings—on foot or by
bike—is a good way to
make them also begin
to enjoy nature and
the place where
they live.
EFFORT
Impact
EFFORT
Impact
1960’s
th
om
e
ps in h
raging
Encou elchair ram , to facilitat
of whe er buildingse who use
h
s
and otcess for tho act of
ac
is an respect
,
m
e
h
t
nd
.
ship a
citizenr differences
fo
EFFORT
Impact
EFFORT
Impact
THE FIRST LIST OF
ENDANGERED SPECIES
(135) IS PUBLISHED.
e
inabl
Susta rhood
bo
neigh e constructioens
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S SPECIAL
SECRETARY OF THE ENVIRONMENT IS CREATED
LINKED TO THE MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR.
1973
OIKOS, ONE OF THE FIRST BRAZILIAN
NGO’S DEVOTED TO ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT WITH MOBILIZATION OF PEOPLE
AND ACTIONS, IS CREATED.
THE ATLANTIC RAINFOREST IS REDUCED BY 1
MILLION HECTARES IN THE REGION BETWEEN
SÃO PAULO AND SANTA CATARINA.
THE SOS MATA
ATLÂNTICA FOUNDATION
IS CREATED.
CHICO MENDES, THE RUBBERTAPPER LEADER
AND MILITANT OF THE XAPURI LABOR UNION
IN ACRE, WHO DEFENDED THE CREATION OF
EXTRACTIVIST RESERVES IN THE AMAZON, DIES.
1982
1985 a 1995
1986
1988
Conscientious
Consumption
Sustain
a
neighbo ble
rhood
Y
BALANCING PERSONAL SATISFACTION WITH SUSTAINABILITY
OF THE PLANET. SIMPLY PUT, NOT BUYING MORE THAN NEEDED.
FAVORING NATURAL
CLEANING PRODUCTS
is a good alternative to
bringing home so many
chemical substances. See
our site for simple recipes
for detergents, disinfectants and even natural
flee prevention.
EFFORT
Impact
ou can
country ribring a little of th
by creatinght into your home
e
g
gardens acommunal herb
n
d
o
rc
h
in your n
ards
ei
They are ghborhood.
healthier
and econ
omical.
C ARRYING A DIS POSABLE BOTTLE of
water has become synonymous with a healthy
lifestyle. But it guarantees
the health of the environment as well if the bottle
is durable. That way they
are used over and over.
EFFORT
Impact
ACQUIRING GOOD QUALITY PRODUCTS, which
are durable and useful, aids in reducing the quantity of
trifles around your house, which quickly become junk.
EFFORT
Impact
Tea bags can be replaced
by sieves. Even less garbage
goes into the trash can
if the herbs are discarded
as a natural fertilizer.
C O NSUMER P O WER
IS L IMIT L ESS . C o n tacting the company
that manufactured an
unsatisfactory purchase
item forces it to rethink
its methods of production so that they are more
efficient and encourages
sustainable practices.
EFFORT
Impact
Em uma ação para conter o desmatamento
EFFORT
Impact
Read package labels
to really get to know
what you are bringing
home. And be careful
with the fine print.
In general, the fine print
is the most important info
on packaging, but the
very thing the companies
don’t want the consumer
to know.
SPEND AT LEAST ONE
DAY A WEEK without
setting foot inside a store
to wean yourself from
compulsive buying. If you
MUST enter, refuse the
plastic bag that comes
with the purchase.
EFFORT
Impact
WORLD
ON THE
ENVIRONMENT
DEVELOPMENT
naCONFERENCE
Amazônia Legal,
o governo
divulgaAND
o Plano
ECO 92 IS ORGANIZED
BY THE
UNITED NATIONS IN RIO DE JANEIRO
de Combate
ao Desmatamento.
AND PREVIEWS NEW COMMITMENTS AND GOALS.
THE FIRST LAW OF ENVIRONMENTAL
CRIMES IS PROMULGATED IN THE
REPUBLICAN ERA.
THE NATIONAL SYSTEM OF CONSERVATION
UNITS IS APPROVED. IT ESTABLISHES NORMS
AND CRITERIA FOR THE CONSERVATION
UNITS OF THE COUNTRY.
SENATOR MARINA SILVA
BECOMES MINISTER OF
THE ENVIRONMENT.
THE INPE ANNOUNCES THE INCREASE
OF 40% OF DEFORESTATION OF THE BRAZILIAN
AMAZON BETWEEN 2001 AND 2002.
1992
1999
2000
2003
2003
Recycling
Conscientious Consumption
MANY PEOPLE LIVING IN BIG CITIES THINK
THAT THE PROBLEM OF THE AMAZON has
nothing to do with them—a totally false notion. Ultimately, 85% of the wood taken from
the forest is used right here, in Brazil, especially in the south and southeast regions.
For this reason, verifying the manufacturing
procedures of all and any products made of
wood is a powerful way to interrupt the vicious cycle of forest clear cutting. Products
with FSC certified labels on packaging, helps
you to choose the socio-environmentally
correct products, which you can bring home
with a good conscience.
EFFORT
Impact
Could we survive without all of this,
just as our grandparents did?
Individual packaging for catsup, mustard, mayonnaise, sugar,
and artificial sweetener, Styrofoam trays and plastic film to
package fruit, meat and frozen foods, disposable plastic bags,
paper towels, aluminum paper, plastic cups and utensils, napkins,
tissues, paper filters… All of these become trash in a few
minutes and contaminate the environment for hundreds
of years to come. Think about it!
A third of the domestic garbage in Brazil is
composed of packaging that could be recycled.
Few people are aware, but recycling tires is
the law in Brazil. There are many accredited
recycling companies in Brazil that collect
used tires. Many products are created with
recycled rubber: asphalt, sound proofing,
car seat filling and synthetic floors. Even
the steel found in tires is reusable.
EFFORT
Impact
If the product
that you purchased
has this symbol,
then it is recyclable.
It behooves you
to find a way to
send this packaging
on its way within
this cycle of reuse.
EFFORT
Impact
EFFORT
Impact
DISPOSABLE DIAPERS ARE PLASTIC PRODUCTS, gels,
together with millions of other industrialized products,
and take more than 300 years to decompose in the
environment. Before learning to use the bathroom, a
child uses thousands of them. It is not for naught that
disposable diapers are the third most frequently found
item in trash cans. The best thing is not to use them at all,
or at least use them in moderation, alternating with cloth
diapers when the baby is at home.
EFFORT
Impact
IN AN EFFORT TO CONTAIN DEFORESTATION
IN THE AMAZON, THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES
A PLAN TO COMBAT DEFORESTATION.
THE CHICO MENDES INSTITUTE FOR CONSERVATION
AND BIODIVERSITY, WHOSE OBJECTIVE IS TO ADMINISTRATE
THE FEDERAL CONSERVATION SITES, IS CREATED.
MARINA SILVA RESIGNS FROM THE
ENVIRONMENTAL MINISTRY AND
CARLOS MINC TAKES OVER.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL MINISTRY
ANNOUNCES THE NATIONAL
CLIMATE CHANGE PLAN.
IN DECEMBER, BRAZIL WILL
PARTICIPATE IN THE COP 15,
IN COPPENHAGEN.
2004
2007
MAY 13, 2008
2008
2009
Recycling
When throwing away
trash, collect all of
the recyclable packaging
to help the garbage
collectors and the
recyclers. Pouring out
leftovers also helps
immensely.
What do the symbols mean?
Approved by the Brazilian Association for Packaging and the ABNT norms,
these symbols are on all the products you consume. However, many times,
they confuse consumers rather than clarify information. So, here are some
explanations. Take note!
Symbols identifying recyclable products
Plastic packaging symbols.
Symbols indicating products that have been recycled
—the percentage value indicates the content recycled
65%
65%
65%
Recyclable
Aluminum
Recyclable
packaging
1 = poli (polyethylene tereftlato)
2 = high density polyethylene
3 = poli (chloroethylene)
4 = low density polyethylene
5 = polypropylene
6 = polyesthirene
7 = others
Recyclable
Long Life
Communal trash
(anti-littering)
T!
4
pp 00
m
+T
ea
r
29
ppm0
550
ppm
+
7
pp 00
m
*CO2-eq: also measures other greenhouse gases and aerosols
in parts per million.
+5ºC
17
referen65
ce y
450
ppm
+3ºC
850
ppm
Thermometer CO2-eq*
+2ºC
C
4º
AY
OD ,8ºC
0
Sustain
a
Neighbo ble
rhood
In many
establishm communities the
collecti ent of select tr
Many timon is a huge succesash
es
s.
oil used bthey collect kitchen
y th
to make soe neighbors
ap
communa for
l
use.
LIMI
Recyclable
glass
Recyclable
Steel
The more CO2 emission and Other Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere,
the higher the temperature of the planet will be. With global warming,
scientists predict the emergence of devastating hurricanes, more flooding
and fires and higher incidence of disease. From the pre-industrial period
until now the Earth has heated up by 0.8ºC
Recycling
THIS PUBLICATION IS NOT DISPOSABLE. YOU CAN RECYCLE IT
CIRCULATING THE IDEAS PROPOSED IN IT AMONG YOUR FRIENDS
(AND ENEMIES ALIKE!), PARENTS, NEIGHBORS AND EVEN POLITITIANS.
CLEANING UP AFTER DOGS and then throwing the
EFFORT
Impact
“package” on the sidewalk or street does not solve
the problem. The right thing to do is dispose of the
dog mess in the trash can.
THE STREET WAS NOT MADE FOR THROWING
GARBAGE, not even cigarette butts. Remains
thrown on the ground go into the gutters, can
clog city sewer systems, which causes flooding. If
they make it to the run-off, rivers and springs they
pollute the water.
PUTTING BAGS OUT FRONT just
before the garbage collectors arrive
helps to avoid the garbage from getting scattered over the sidewalk during the day.
EFFORT
Impact
EFFORT
Impact
PUT THE TIPS INTO PRACTICE, PARTICIPATE IN THE CONFERENCE AND
COMPETE FOR PRIZES. FIND OUT HOW ON
www.planetasustentavel.com.br/manual
TEACHERS, CONSULT OUR LESSON PLANS ON
www.planetasustentavel.com.br/planosdeaula
IF YOU HAVE GOOD IDEAS FOR SUSTAINABLILITY, WRITE TO US AT
[email protected]
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www.planetasustentavel.com.br