What to visit in Lisbon

Undoubtedly one of the key trends of 2010 is green. Not in the sense everyone’s wearing green this year, but definitely in the sense that anything “green” is suddenly cool- sustainable, organic, GMO free or non-polluting, zero carbon footprint- hey it’s all cool. Because we need it, Mother Earth is about to punish us forever if we do not take care of her. But how can we take care and have fun at the same time?

One of the best options is to go to a green festival, such as the Boom Festival near Lisbon. The psytrance festival occurs every two years and sees the world through green glasses. The festival has a 17 page manifesto that explains how the festival will become zero impact, on an ecological level.

If you think of the typical festival, they can be quite the environmental strain: 25,000 people, with all their food, garbage, and hygiene needs, transportation … basically as much as any village, but in a very small space which isn’t necessarily set-up for so many people. Boom festival has taken several steps to balance out the impact of these instant towns.

All water used during the festival is recycled through a biological system that uses algae to purify it, and then what has not evaporated is returned to the ground. The energy for sound systems, lights, action, transport and construction has been generated by generators that use recycled vegetable oil. In 2008 they used more than 45,000 litres of recycled oil to prevent emissions of 117,000 kg of CO2 environment. At the same time they are using photovoltaic cells and wind turbines to supplement energy produced by bio fuels. As far as physical installations are concerned, they are using recycled or sustainable materials whenever possible.

The ethics of green camping has always been “leave no trace.” But of course, there is a one trace which is difficult to eliminate because it is one that you produce in situ, and not so easy or comfortable to carry in your backpack: you all know what I’m talking about…25, 000 thousand people, seven days, make for many tons of … In the Boom festival the have instituted the use of composting toilets which turn these human leftovers into a rich fertilizer. This not only saves water and doesn’t pollute, it gives a valuable source of food back to mother earth.

To prevent traffic jams and reduce emissions not only of the event it, but also those implied by the displacement 25,000 thousand people, they have organized a public bus from several places in Spain and Portugal to bring festival goers. To encourage people to take advantage of this mode of transport, the Boom Bus passengers can enter the camping one day before the rest of the public, in order to choose the best places to camp, and spend a relaxing day before the start of festival. To use this service, find a Boom ambassador in your city. To soften your return to the normal world, rent comfortable apartments in Lisbon, and rest a couple of days after the festival.