SUGGESTED ADDITIONAL DESTINATIONS
FOZ DO IGUAÇU
Foz do Iguaçu is located at the state of Paraná and it has a population of approximately 265,000 inhabitants. The city is the main base for visiting famed Iguaçu Falls, one of the world's largest waterfalls. Stretching for 2.7km, and straddling the border with Argentina, the falls comprise hundreds of cascades, including the 80m-tall Devil’s Throat. Drenching rides on rubber boats called zodiacs are a popular way to take in the thundering spectacle. For this, Foz do Iguaçu is one of the main destination of tourists in Brazil.
Foz do Iguaçu is integrated into a tri-national region, bordering the Argentine city of Puerto Iguazú and the Paraguayan city of Ciudad del Este. The Brazilian city is home to the Itaipu dam, the world's largest hydroelectric plant in power generation. With 20 generator units and 14,000 MW of installed capacity, it provides approximately 17% of the energy consumed in Brazil and 75% of consumption in Paraguay. Despite being a source of renewable energy and not emitting pollutants, hydropower has its environmental and social impacts. The flood areas for the construction of dams generates relocation problems of coastal communities, indigenous communities and small farmers. Our program in Foz do Iguaçu, aims to show both sides of this energy production method, by contacting the actors involved on it.
Renewable Energy & Sustainability in Brazil
CEARÁ
In a country of glorious coastlines, Ceará has one of the most glorious of all – nearly 600km of beautiful and varied beaches, from idyllic little palm-fringed bays to 20km strips washed by ocean breakers. From the busy urban beaches of Fortaleza to hip Jericoacoara to the smallest of fishing villages where people still sail jangadas (triangular-sailed fishing boats) and live in thatched-roof homes, Ceará is a piece of paradise on earth. Much of the coast is backed by large expanses of high, white dunes, lending a starkly elemental touch to the landscape, while the waves and winds provide some of the world's best conditions for kitesurfing, surfing and windsurfing.
The lack of rain and the reality of drought in northeastern Brazil did the federal government invest in alternative and renewable ways to produce energy. The initiative leveraged in 2013, paved the way for the growth of other forms of energy production besides hydroelectric – which, nevertheless, remains the main in the country - such as solar and wind, for example. In wind energy, the Brazilian states with the greatest potential for this type of production are: Bahia, Ceará and Rio Grande do Norte. Ceará was the pioneer in investments and is strongly expanding its production - in all, the state has installed more than 20 wind farms and is ongoing planning and construction of 58 parks. The region is, thus, the ideal place for the observation of the process of energy adaptation from one state to a more sustainable alternative, guided by a renewable portfolio. Our program, therefore, aims to put participants in touch with all the actors involved in these proceedings, giving the students a complete learning experience.