Earth Day – Tuesday 22 April 2025

Earth Day.org, the global organiser of Earth Day, observed annually on 22 April, has set the theme for 2025 as – Our Power, Our Planet™.

2025 marks the 55th anniversary of EARTH DAY. To honour this milestone, they have invited one billion supporters in 192 countries to unite behind renewable energy to triple the global generation of clean electricity by 2030.

To mark Earth Day, here are a couple of examples of local actions. There are many more that could be acknowledged, so please mention what you are doing or any you know about in the comments.

We have 30 solar panels and have been generating solar energy on a hill in the Eastern Algarve for 12 years. It has not always been easy to choose solar energy. The October/November 2023 storm destroyed our panels, so we reinvested in a better and now much cheaper system. From January to April this year, probably the wettest and coldest months, we have planted the equivalent of 18 trees by choosing to use solar energy. Even more, if you count the food forest that we began with the help of Christof, our German gardening wizard, not forgetting the encouragement and vision of Orchard of Flavours.

We are very grateful to be in our infinitesimal portion of Portugal and to connect with visionaries, activists, and many curious and hopeful people.

Local farmer and earth activist Ängela Rosa is well-known in the region for her buoyant ideas and enthusiasm. This year, Ängela is asking us to vote for water. Even though we have had a very wet winter, saving and recycling water are still fundamental aspects of life for the Algarve.
She is circulating this request:

Voting has begun on the Tavira 2025 Participatory Budget, and my proposal, “Rainwater Harvesting,” is in competition. We are calling for your vote and support for the environmental proposal that promotes sustainable water management, project #4!

How do I vote for this project?

Each participant has only 1 vote.

Online: Via the website op.cm-tavira.pt

In-person: Parish Council Headquarters; Municipal Library; One Stop Shop Reception.

SMS: OPTVR <Project number> <your CNPJ> (Ex: OPTVR 4 100100100) to number: 4310

Get your votes in before the deadline 18, May 2025.

About Project #4: The aim is to install rainwater harvesting systems in public buildings, such as schools or community centres. The collected water will be used to irrigate flowerbeds, vegetable gardens, and gardens, promoting sustainability and environmental education. The project includes 2,000—to 5,000-litre tanks and roof gutters. It is a simple and effective solution that raises awareness about the responsible use of water, which is especially relevant in light of the drought in the Algarve.

Rain or shine, it makes perfect sense, right?
Note: votes are only valid for residents/citizens who vote in Tavira.

I have written a separate article about foreign residents Peter and Yvonne Bellchambers’ ideas for greening Tavira. Imagine boulevards of densely planted trees, cafe squares dappled with shade, and a town centre free of cars. The article may be published by the Portugal Resident next week.

Speaking with him a few weeks before Earth Day, 22 April, Peter is irreverent and amusingly honest in his opinions. He openly shared his landscape ideas and is keen for the Mayor of Tavira and all mayors throughout the Algarve to understand his vision. He is conscious of being a guest in this resource-rich country, and forging local relationships builds a strong community.

In response to the Tavira climate change consultation, which ended on 8 April, Peter used his expertise as a landscape architect, to develop montage vision boards. Based on his years of experience, these boards illustrate fourteen impactful projects focused on the strategic planting of trees throughout the town.

Peter’s vision boards, which use Google Earth, personal photos, and superimposed trees, inspire a new vision of some of Tavira’s concrete areas. These changes are not just about aesthetics but about creating a more liveable and regenerative urban environment. For example, the area near the new (not yet in use) theatre is revamped, potentially becoming a vibrant community space. Bishop’s Square is protected as a garden, with the suggestion of planting more trees for shade, which could significantly improve the area’s comfort and appeal during hot summers. 

He also proposes planting trees to shade the buildings, visitors and cars in the ceremonial forecourt of the Igreja do Carmo.

We delved into the practicalities of Peter’s vision, discussing who could take on the responsibility of planting and watering the proposed trees. He underscored the crucial need for commitment and unified thinking between the municipality and the private water company, Tavira Verde. 

A few people have asked why water continues to pour down through Tavira water station and into the river without capture. The water could also be used for local gardens and for watering more trees. It is unclear where the demarcation of responsibility lies for saving this precious source of life.

Could Ängela’s request and Peter and Yvonne’s ideas be partnered in some way alongside the willingness of the municipality and Tavira Verde to address water saving across the town?