Catholics call for environmental action at Rio de Janeiro's iconic Christ the Redeemer statue
RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazilian Catholic worshippers laid down an eco-friendly carpet in front of the world-famous
Christ the Redeemer statue
in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday and called for the protection of the environment ahead of UN climate talks in the Amazon.
Tapestries are a fixture of the Corpus Christi religious feast when Catholics celebrate what they believe is the presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
This year, the colourful carpet was made from approximately 460 kilos (1,014 pounds) of
recycled plastic caps
. Over the past few years the Christ the Redeemer sanctuary has increasingly used the attention the iconic statue generates to spotlight environmental concerns.
"These caps could be polluting the environment. Today they're here as a carpet," said Marcos Martins, environmental manager and educator at the sanctuary. "It's the circular economy: we take the material, we're reusing it here and then we're going to reuse it again with an exhibition."
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya
IC Markets
Mendaftar
Undo
Just after daybreak and before the first flock of tourists arrived on Thursday, Cardinal Orani Joao Tempesta led celebrations at the site overlooking
Guanabara Bay
and Rio's famed Sugarloaf mountain.
The caps are "a good reminder of our co-responsibility with ecology, of our concern for the environment, which are very characteristic of Christ the Redeemer," Rio's archbishop told journalists.
Thursday's celebration also paid homage to the late Pope Francis and his Laudato Si', a landmark environmental encyclical in which he cast care for the environment in stark moral terms. In the papal letter, Francis called for a bold cultural revolution to correct what he said was a "structurally perverse" economic system in which the rich exploited the poor, turning Earth into a pile of "filth" in the process.
"The COP30 is coming up and we've just had the U.N. Ocean Conference. Nothing makes more sense than Christ being a great spokesperson for this issue," said Carlos Lins, the sanctuary's marketing director.
Earlier this month, the sanctuary held workshops, discussion groups and actions focusing on environmental preservation. The statue, perched on the Corcovado mountain, is itself located in the
Tijuca National Park
.
Brazil has been hit by a series of environmental disasters in recent years, including severe droughts in the Amazon, wildfires in the Pantanal and flooding in the south.
This week, heavy rains killed at least two people in the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul, just over a year after it was hit by the worst flooding on record.
Scientists say extreme weather is happening more frequently due to human-caused climate change.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
10-ft-long Indian rock python rescued after causing panic in Mumbai society amid heavy monsoon rains
A 10-foot-long Indian Rock Python caused panic in a residential society in Mulund, Mumbai, after straying from its natural habitat due to heavy monsoon rains. The reptile, exhausted and disoriented, was safely rescued by the Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW) in coordination with the Mumbai Forest Department. The incident underscores the increasing human-wildlife interactions in urban areas, particularly near forest peripheries like Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Experts emphasize that such intrusions are not unusual during monsoon seasons, when wildlife displacement occurs due to flooding and habitat disturbance. The swift rescue ensured the safety of residents while allowing the Indian Rock Python, a non-venomous constrictor, to return to its natural forested environment safely. Python spotted in Mumbai homes amid monsoon experts rescue safely On Tuesday afternoon, RAWW received an emergency call about a large python inside a residential society. Residents gathered as the snake climbed a tree, sparking fear and curiosity. Pawan Sharma, RAWW president, highlighted that such encounters are common in areas adjacent to forested zones, illustrating the challenges of urban wildlife management. As reported by PTI, wildlife experts explained that heavy rains often force snakes and other reptiles out of their habitats. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like They Were So Beautiful Before; Now Look At Them; Number 10 Will Shock You Reportingly Undo The Indian Rock Python had been displaced from nearby forests, struggling to find a safe route back to its natural habitat. Its exhaustion reflects the stresses wildlife face during monsoon flooding and urban encroachment. RAWW, in collaboration with the Mumbai Forest Department, conducted a safe and professional rescue. The python was captured without harm, then relocated to a protected forest area near Sanjay Gandhi National Park. This demonstrates the importance of trained wildlife rescue teams and emergency protocols for human-wildlife conflict. About the Indian Rock Python The Indian Rock Python (Python molurus) is a non-venomous, constrictor snake, one of the largest in India. Key facts include: Habitat: Forests, grasslands, and near water bodies Diet: Small mammals, birds, and reptiles Behaviour: Nocturnal, generally non-aggressive Conservation status: Protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 While harmless if left alone, their large size can cause fear in urban settings. Human-wildlife interaction in urban Mumbai Urban areas near Sanjay Gandhi National Park often witness wildlife intrusions, especially during heavy rains. Encroachment, habitat loss, and climate changes contribute to increased human-snake encounters. Precautions recommended by experts: Avoid approaching or attempting to handle snakes Keep pets indoors during the monsoon season Immediately inform certified wildlife rescue organizations Install proper fencing for societies bordering forested areas Also Read | Tennessee hiker dies after venomous timber rattlesnake bite; experts urge snake safety precautions for hikers
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Mansa Devi trust yet to release compensation
Haridwar: Nearly a month after the Mansa Devi temple stampede that left nine pilgrims dead and 28 injured, families of the victims say they are still waiting for the announced Rs 5 lakh compensation from the temple trust. The state govt released ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased last week, but the trust has yet to deliver its announced payout of Rs 5 lakh for the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for the injured. Officials said they are in touch with the trust, which has assured that the payments will be made soon. Sanjeev Kumar, a resident of Bilaspur in Rampur, lost his nephew Arush in the tragedy, while his wife Diksha and four-year-old daughter Akankshi were critically injured and admitted to AIIMS Rishikesh. "We got compensation from the state govt, but are still waiting for help from the temple committee. Akankshi has been discharged, but she still has breathing problems and is under treatment," Kumar told TOI. For many families, the silence from the trust has deepened their grief. Ghanshyam, a resident of Badaun in UP, whose parents Rambharose and Shanti Devi died in the stampede, said, "We received Rs 4 lakh from the state govt last week, but we are still waiting for help from the temple committee. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Resmed AirSense 11 with flat 20% off ResMed Buy Now Undo No one from the committee has contacted us so far." The family of Vipin Saini, a Kashipur resident who died along with his cousin Vicky Saini, is also awaiting monetary help. Vipin was the sole breadwinner for his family. District administration officials, however, maintain that govt assistance has already reached the affected. Haridwar DM Mayur Dixit said, "After proper verification, compensation has been deposited in the bank accounts of the victims' families and the injured. We are in touch with the Mansa Devi temple committee and have asked them to secure approval at the earliest for distributing compensation." Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Are you attracting spirits? know the most sensitive zodiac signs
Have you ever noticed that wherever you go or visit, you feel the energies are coming towards you or they are trying to communicate with you. In this universe there are two worlds - one is seen and another world is unseen, where spirits live but we are unable to see them, we can just feel their vibrations and energies. But one thing you must keep in mind that people, who are extremely sensitive, only they can feel those energies so if this happens with you often, then it means you are too sensitive that you easily attract the spirits. Today, we are talking about those zodiac signs, who easily attract the spirits without even knowing that they actually do that. Are you excited to know about them in detail? let's check out by scrolling down the content: Signs of the zodiac who easily attract the spirits: Cancer Cancerians are ruled by Moon and it is also knows as a water sign. They are protective and caring, cancers may be more receptive to messages from ghosts or otherworldly beings, particularly those of departed loved ones. To learn about the spirit's intentions, they might even attempt to interact with it or nurture it. Cancerians should avoid absorbing the energies they come into contact with and instead set emotional boundaries. Scorpio Scorpions are ruled by Mars. They have no hesitation about exploring the darker sides of life, which could expose them to ghosts or otherworldly beings. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Investire per il futuro? Inizia da qui eToro Click Here Undo Instead of being scared, they can try to make sense of the experience, frequently studying or facing the spirit or energy head-on. Scorpions should assert control of the situation and establish boundaries with any spiritual energy they come into contact with. Aquarius Saturn rules the Aquarians and because of their high vibrating energy, which can draw in creatures or energies from other dimensions or planes of existence, Aquarians may encounter spirit's energy around them. They might use modern techniques like astrology or energy healing, or they might look into the subject academically. Aquarians may be able to obtain insight on the matter by consulting with seasoned practitioners or investigating novel spiritual practices. Pisces Pisceans are ruled by Jupiter. They are vulnerable to paranormal encounters because of their strong emotional and spiritual ties to the world, which allow them to access the subtle facets of life. They could naturally attempt to seek understanding from the spiritual realm, frequently through meditation or dreams. In order to better navigate and comprehend their experiences, they should also look for spiritual assistance or speak with healers, mediums, or other spiritual specialists. These are the above mentioned zodiac signs, who may encounter the spirit's energy around them but that does not mean that other than these zodiac sign individuals can not feel the energy of the other world. You can also feel the energies if you are into spirituality, astrology, and healing activities so we are not claiming that people other than them are unable to feel the presence of the spirit. Discover everything about astrology at Times of India , including daily horoscopes for Aries , Taurus , Gemini , Cancer , Leo , Virgo , Libra , Scorpio , Sagittarius , Capricorn , Aquarius , and Pisces . Read your detailed Horoscope Today and Horoscope Tomorrow here.
