List: Signs of Sustainability, Barcelona: "1,537,249 People Committed to the Planet"

Sustainability is a beautiful idea, though achieving it may be a journey, not a destination. Who could object to a way of life that “meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs,” to use a 1987 U.N. definition of sustainable development? Yet how can we attain this utopian level of balance and wisdom? It seems unlikely that anything larger than a farm, or a household, can reach sustainability.

What if hundreds of households work toward sustainability? What if some of a city’s millions of working parts struggle forward in search of sustainability? Given enough time (decades at least), these small improvements will spread and coalesce locally, perhaps reaching sustainability.

Surely it is better to be working actively toward sustainability, than to cynically throw out the whole concept and use everything up in anticipation of Judgment Day and End Times. Let us explore a sampling of Barcelona’s sustainability efforts.

A booklet, Barcelona: 1,537,249 People Committed to the Planet is a 1997 publication and exhibit, stimulated by United Nations and European Union initiatives. Since then the city has published guides to Barcelona’s human and natural environment, and how to work toward sustainability. Online: http://www.bcn.es/mediambient/eng/web/cont_pub_altres.htm

Eating local foods
My favorite meal while out in Barcelona was the result of wandering around with three young adults saying, “What looks good, exciting, fresh, fun?” We sat down at the small, zippy Origens restaurant in the fast-moving Born neighborhood near the church of Santa Maria del Mar, and found ourselves at the heart of Catalonia’s local foods movement. Origen’s menu is a manifesto championing artisanal, family-farm foods of the Catalonian hinterlands; it is also a catalogue to order from, and a magazine to enjoy. Wondrous little dishes dashed quickly to our table, accompanied by plates of thick chewy bread. We shared five dishes, with wine and fizzy water. My brain chemistry was changed permanently by the pungently briny shrimp cooked with chickpeas in olive oil. The menu changes seasonally to focus on new local sources. Online: http://www.origen99.com/web/

Recycled batteries, art, apparel
Look for small green pyramidal boxes like the one in the photo (found in a grubby corner at the University of Barcelona’s downtown campus). Battery-disposal boxes are supposed to be located “everywhere,” for sure are in public libraries. Barcelona takes recycling seriously in both life and art. Drap-Art is an organization and business devoted to using recycled materials and objects in design and architecture. Their boutique in the Ciutat Vella (Old City) is filled with one-of-a-kind bags and jewelry. Look for their 2008 International Recycling Art Festival in December with shows, workshops, and crafts market. Online: http://www.drapart.org

Reducing your urban carbon footprint
Use Barcelona’s “El Bicing” city-wide bike rental system. A year ago, Barcelona placed 750 bikes at 50 locations across the city, rising to 3000 bikes at 194 locations by the end of 2007. Available for residents at 24 Euros per year and for tourists at one Euro per week, a Bicing card is inserted to release a bike from a pick-up point (see photo). The rider has a half hour to reach a destination and replace the bike at the nearest drop-off point. The Bicing Web site is http://www.bicing.com but if not responsive, try: http://www.barcelonayellow.com/content/view/78/1/

Water and Sustainable Development: World Expo 2008
Though not strictly a Catalonian event, consider attending the “Water and Sustainable Development” 2008 World Expo in Spain’s Zaragoza, June 14 to September 14. Displays include the Water Tower, Aquarium, Waterscapes, and the Bridge Pavilion. Themes include Thirst, Cities of Water, Extreme Water, Water and Energy, Shared Waters and Aquatic Inspirations. You can volunteer to help. Online: http://www.expozaragoza2008.es