Global warming can extinguish male turtles

A new study on common sea turtles of the Atlantic has been stressing the need to preserve the species, since the long-term global warming will end with one of the sexes of these animals to exist only female turtles.

We have long known that the reproduction of reptiles is rather sensitive to temperatures, leading to a variation in the ratio of males and females to hatch the eggs. For sea turtles are the key temperature 29 degrees Celsius. If the eggs develop at temperatures higher than this, the turtles that hatch will be mostly females. If temperatures exceed constantly the 30.5 degrees, one of the sexes of sea turtles can be convicted.

The short term, this higher ratio of female turtles may be beneficial, since the natural reproduction is enhanced. However, the long term may be harmful and lead to the extinction of the species.

According to Graeme Hays, professor at Deakin University and author of the study, the higher temperatures represent a "serious" threat to populations of turtles. "It will be the end of the story if there is no human intervention" indicates.

The decline in populations of turtles, powered by heating, is already being observed in the green turtles in the Caribbean and the study reveals that the number of specimens decreased by 1%.

Also the increase in the level of sea water caused by melting of ice caps, can have a negative impact on populations of sea turtles. "The increase in the level of the water results in loss of area of the beaches where the turtles lay their eggs, which can also put the species at risk," said Hays.

See a selection of photos of sea turtles.

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Foto: SNORKELINGDIVES.COM/MiguelVieira/mahinui/NathanF/jurvetson/SteFou! /Julie Lynn/Fuzzy Gerdes/todd.vision

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Overcrowding could lead to cannibalism, argues professor from Stanford

In 1968, professor Paul Ehrlich and his wife, Anne, published the book "the rising pump", a bestseller that warned for a period of great famine, in the world, in the 70 and 80, due to population growth.

The theories of Ehrlich, a professor at the respected Stanford University, eventually becoming true, especially in the poorest countries, despite all the controversy of the topic. Agoa, Ehrlich returned to the predictions, but this time more macabre.

According to the professor, the overcrowding will lead us to cannibalism and even to eat our dead.

"We will soon be asking us if we can eat the bodies of our dead, because we are all hungry," explained the charge at HuffPost. According to Ehrlich, the population growth will lead to a new food crisis, and this cannibalism.

According to Ehrlich, the scarcity of resources will be so critical that the humans will have to drastically change their eating habits and agricultural processes. "[Mankind 's] moving towards [the cannibalism] at a ridiculous speed," continued.

"In other words, between now and the next 45 years, 2.5 billion people will join the Planet. We are moving towards a resource war ", he concluded.

The issue of overcrowding was recently approached by author Dan Brown, in his book Hell, and by the Ehrlich, in his book Hope on Earth.

Photo: Vomitiva Poetry/Creative Commons

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Grândola: garbage collected by the sea will be valued

The trash collected by 200 Brigade volunteers from the sea, in the municipality of Grândola, Alentejo, is valued. This is the first time that the Association will these residues, despite the gathering takes place annually since 2009.

According to the Association, the schoolchildren, youth and senior of the parishes of Carvalhal and Melides is already proceeding with the separation of waste collected on beaches.

In the first year, the Brigade of the sea-beach cleaning project, held annually during 15 days between Troy and Melides-collected about 30 tonnes of waste. In 2010 about fifty volunteers gathered 15 tons of garbage. In the following years appeared even more volunteers, who joined enterprises, involving a total of about 500 people.

"The amount of garbage removed in the last five editions exceeds 80 tons, being notorious still result in recovery of the dunes and vegetation pioneer," explained Green Savers Cindy Santos, communication Division of the municipality of Grândola.

In recent years, the project has collected several tons of hazardous waste, of pills the corrosive liquids, oil drums, syringes or animal carcasses.

"Year after year, increase the logistical support, visibility, and the willingness to proceed with this project. The decrease in the quantity of waste collected is a sign that after all worth it believe that the difference in attitude is possible, "concluded the responsible.

Sea Brigade represents Portugal in this edition of let's Clean Europe and had already been distinguished, previously, with an honorable mention on Green Project Awards.

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Formula 1 for electric vehicles make great advertising campaign

The formula and ecological alternative to Formula 1, is looking for an advertising agency to promote the new sport worldwide, proof that the project is investing heavily to reach the masses.

According to Brand Republic, the formula and asked creative proposals to four agencies, which will have in finding an advertising strategy to make the new sport appealing to consumers and media.

Earlier this year, 10 cities will be stage of racing and formula: Beijing (China), Putrajava (Malaysia), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Punta del Este (Uruguay), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Los Angeles and Miami (United States), Monte Carlo (Monaco), Berlin (Germany) and London (United Kingdom).

The competition kicks off on 13 September in Beijing, and ends June 27, 2015, in London. "The formula and is a new brand of entertainment, which has the electric motor in the heart," explained Charles Davies, head of marketing of the project.

The formula and will be part of the FIA (International Automobile Federation) and was announced in 2012. The original version of the project included 10 teams and 20 pilots and was designed through a partnership with Formula and Holdings (FEH), based in London. Some of the drivers have experience of Formula 1, Jarno Trulli, Narain Karthikeyan or Nick Heidfeld.

One of the main objectives of the competition is to support the research and development of electric cars. Now, with the new campaign, the formula and expects to receive spectators and new supporters to the environmentally-friendly cars. Arrive at the formula 1 notoriety, at least in the short to medium term, it will be impossible, but the announcement of this global advertising campaign is confirmation that investors of FEH and FIA are truly betting the new sport.

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Carlos Mourao Parker recognized by architectural work for the blind

The Portuguese architect Carlos Mourao Pereira was this week awarded the Nossa Senhora da Esperança Foundation Prize of 2014, award that recognizes the "high scientific merit" from the set of his works in the area of innovative architecture for the blind and in recognition of his extensive resume as a researcher and University lecturer.

Second advanced the promoters of the initiative, quoted by the newspaper Building, for this distinction was also considered the doctoral thesis of this investigator, himself blind, about "the multi-sensory dimension of architecture â€" A qualitative approach to sea bathing space centered on invisibility".

It is, according to the jury, an investigation that globally contributes original mode for the deepening of knowledge about the problems of relationship between the sea bathing space and its use, whether for blind or low vision users, either by normovisuais users ".

Instituted in 2013, the FNSE Prize will be awarded every three years and aims to distinguish an individuality (natural or legal person) that for his thinking or action has contributed to the construction of a society that values especially respect for difference and diversity as a fundamental value of the human condition, through works, jobs and careers with cultural or scientific value of recognised merit in society.

The prize will be awarded formally in ceremony scheduled for July 20 in Castelo de Vide, where the institution has its seat and maintains its activity.

The decision was made by an independent jury, which includes such personalities as Rui Vieira Nery, Carlos Ferreira, Augusto Deodato Warrior, Francisco Sepúlveda Teixeira and José Luís Porfírio.

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Costa da Caparica celebrates 30 years of protected landscape

30 years ago today that the Costa da Caparica fossil cliff, on the South Bank of the Tejo, was classified as a protected landscape. The aim was to preserve the geomorphologic characteristics and natural communities exist on site, promoting your biological equilibrium and scenic, but not everything went well.

"The Costa da Caparica protected landscape is located near major urban centres and bathing with interest, [for it] has undergone several changes caused by human activities, which manifests itself in high pressure urban motor traffic, illegal construction and dumping of waste," explains the NGO environment Quercus.

The strong tourist pressure is reflected in the construction of second homes, illegal camping and misuse of the dune area to practice sport all-terrain. On the other hand, the intensive farming and grazing practices not contralado contribute to the degradation of the quality of surface and ground waters. "Despite having already been implemented a dune recovery program, the invasive alien species continue to be a concern due to its Adaptive character and strong urban pressure, which favors its spread," continues the Quercus.



It's not all bad news, however. The arriba fossil, which is the result of an ancient arriba that due to marine regression, is no longer in contact with the sea, constitutes the most significant landscape element of the protected area, extending to the Lagoa da Albufeira.

The creation of protected landscape allowed value the existing natural heritage and increase knowledge about the site. Programs have been developed for monitoring of waterfowl in ponds of Albufeira, Small and of the Stockade, with the development of studies on ecological distribution of relevant species such as Otter, cabrera's rat and Vipera latastei.

Were also identified and monitored bats and increased scientific research in the lagoon and maritime domain. There was also an increase of biodiversity of marine fauna in the lagoa de Albufeira, due to the implementation of a plan which included the correct opening of the lagoon to the sea, conducting periodic drainage and imposition of limitations to anthropogenic activities.

Today, there are 169 terrestrial fauna species inventoried, 10 of which have ecological values higher.

The opportunities

The unique features that characterize the landscape protected from Costa da Caparica fossil cliff, explains the Quercus, give it enormous potential in sectors such as tourism, agriculture, fishing or scientific research.

To this end, the Quercus proposes a set of actions, ranging from creating a program of renaturation of coastline that includes the dune vegetation recovery and demolition of infrastructure built on top of the dunes to the total conditioning construction and urban and tourist expansion.

It is also necessary to establish protection zones for priority species, implement conservation measures of the forest area of the National Forest of Fears â€" including sustainable forestry â€" promote ecotourism activities and promote the development of scientific research studies.

Quercus also developed a framework with an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of Costa da Caparica. See more below. Before, remember some of the most breathtaking landscapes of the coast.

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Fotos: iketaka/Gusty/andruby/berther/mimolag/Creative Commons



Forces

Weaknesses

Diagnosis

Prognosis





Opportunities

Threats

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Green House: an eco-hostel that blends with the beauty of Baleal (with video)

In February, we talked about the Green House, a hostel of Baleal which leads to ecology and sustainability to the next level. It is present everywhere: in decoration, furniture, food, products or services.

Today, our colleagues in the green economy went through the Green House and put some color and movement to our report. Or rather, the concept of green economy this Villa transformed into 100% ecological accommodation by Telmo Vital, a year ago.

"The Green House had part of its decoration made with pallets. It was here that started the idea, in the reuse of materials, both for decoration and for the structure of the House itself, "said Telmo Vital.

When he entered the project, explains the responsible, his idea was to turn any site into a cathedral of sustainability. "If we had six pallets, wanted us to spend for the 300, or pass of 10 boxes of fruit for the two hundred", he stressed.

Part of the decoration is created with the garbage that gives to the coast, which is then worked by local artists, by employees or volunteers, especially foreigners, to travel and work in Exchange for stay. "The typical profile of our guests looking for surfing and the beach, but there is also a concern for the environment".

The Green House has three bedrooms and space for ten guests, who are instilled with concerns the environment, through the bet in habits and products: organic and biodegradable detergents, bulbs of low consumption, the homemade breakfast and products purchased locally, rather than small producers.

To complete the cycle of sustainability, Green House promotes trade fairs and is the collection of books and toys to some institutions of Peniche. Learn more in episode 255 of the green economy.

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Brazil prepares fine for those who throw cigarette butts on the floor

The Chamber of deputies of Brazil is studying a project that establishes a eur33 ticket ($ 100) for those who throw cigarette butts on the ground or any other product linked to the habit of smoking, like cigarillos and cigars.

If the proposal is approved, it will be forbidden "throwing down cigarettes filters of the roads, squares, parks or any other areas and public places of public access". The fine shall be in charge of federal, State or municipal transit and double will be charged in case of recurrence.

According to the sustainable planet, the project puts in restaurants, bars and establishments that sell cigarettes to obligation to provide suitable containers to put the crumbs. Then, the materials will be recycled unusable â€" the rest will go to landfills.

On the other hand, the cigarette companies will be required to provide posters with the determinations of the law, which should be fixed in places of sale and consumption of these products. Who disrespect the rule will be penalised with a fine of €265 ($ 800), which will be charged double in case of recurrence.

The draft says that the Government and the manufacturers of cigarettes must develop educational policies aimed at popular awareness "when it comes to proper disposal of post-consumer waste, avoiding future environmental impacts."

The text will now have to spend in committees for environment and Sustainable Development and on Constitution and justice and citizenship. Then, and if approved, it will go directly to the Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.

Photo: Ramon Cutanda / Creative Commons

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Ferrero wants to generate 75% of the energy consumed by their factories

The Ferrero group, the world's fourth largest company in the area of confectionery, is promoting an international energy efficiency plan that will produce the equivalent of 75% of the energy consumed by all its European factories by the end of 2014.

According to the Consumer, the plan was presented at the Embassy of Italy in Lisbon, and also wants to express the company's commitment to human rights, environment, natural resources and the promotion of healthy living habits.

The company explains that materialized in advance one of the objectives for 2020 â€" reduce energy consumption per unit of output by 5%. In the same report, the company explains that also declined in 20% of global water consumption.

On the other hand, the six raw materials used in the manufacture of its products â€" cacao, hazelnuts, sugar cane, palm oil, coffee and eggs-are sustainable source and in balance with the natural resources development.

The Italian group, responsible for the Nutella and Ferrero, Kinder brands, will still implement traceability plans and ensure natural sources of supply for its agricultural products such as hazelnuts or sugarcane.

Ferrero set still targets for reducing emissions and greenhouse gases and will decrease by 40% CO2 emissions derived from production activities.

In 2013, the company has reduced by more than 30 thousand tons of CO2 emitted, which is equivalent to the total annual emissions of 14 thousand cars. Additionally, because CO2 emissions also derive from the product distribution, was also established the objective of 30% reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases originated in the activities of transport and storage.

Foto: ninacoco/Creative Commons

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Barbados will host world environment day

Barbados, a small Caribbean island with 280 000 inhabitants, will host of world environment day, which commemorates the day on June 5. The tiny island was chosen by UNEP (United Nations Environment) the measures it has taken to combat global warming.

This year, UNEP intends to draw attention to the challenges faced by small island developing States. The celebrations will flow date for five days, with the theme "expand your voice, not sea level".

During this week, the UNEP will discuss adaptation technologies, the sustainable business, resource management, and protected areas and local culture.

To combat the rise in mean sea level, Barbados included the green economy in their six key objectives of the national strategic plan. The nation has undertaken to increase to 29% the participation of renewable energies in the energy matrix until 2029, a goal that would cut more than €205 billion ($ 620 billion) on total cost of electricity and reduce CO2 emissions by 4.5 million tonnes.

See some pictures of this beautiful â€" but threatened-island.

Fotos: Ben124. /Creative Commons

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Serbian architects build Noah's Ark against natural disasters

The architects Serbs Aleksandar Joksimvic and Jelena Nikolic have designed a floating city, self-sustaining and resilient to natural disasters. Able certainly to survive at diluvianas rains that have originated the biblical story of Noah's Ark.

The city's name is Noah's Ark and can be installed in the middle of any ocean safely. According to the architects, she can manage themselves alone, without relying on the rest of the world to survive.

In fact, this town does not stick to a single infrastructure. Are several arcas interconnected through submarine cables, and all will have flexible stalks prey with columns at the bottom of the ocean.

According to the architects, the sides of the island are large enough to protect the residents of strong storms and even tsunamis â€" each has about 64 feet long.

In case of an emergency there is also a plan B, no less futuristic: the potential residents can flee to giant air balls that are in tunnels covered, not vulnerable to external climate, which are flood-proof.

One of the vital factors for the sustainability of this town relates to energy. She will come from three sources: tides, Sun and wind. The water will be collected through a funding system that extends through the entire island. The entire structure of the project will be covered with artificial coral, which attracts marine life and encourages the emergence of new ecosystems with.

Here are some pictures of the project.

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Giant virus discovered in the Brazilian Amazon

A team of researchers from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), in partnership with the University Aix-Marseille in France, a new giant virus discovered in the waters of the Rio Negro, in the Amazon in Brazil. The virus, strangely named Samba, is the largest ever identified in the country: he is 12 times the size of the dengue virus and 100 times more genetic material.

Scientists analyzed the samples in the laboratory and have managed to isolate the virus inside an Amoeba â€" to reproduce, the virus need parasitize other organisms. The discovery was published last Wednesday, in the journal Virology.

According to Jonathan Abraham, professor of Virology at UFMG and lead author of the study, a possible explanation for the size of Samba is the high amount of genetic material necessary for the adaptation of the virus to the place where he lives. "The Rio Negro is a acid medium, unlike other rivers," said the researcher to See Brazilian magazine.

The virus encodes proteins, 1,000 Samba is comprised of 1.2 million base pairs of DNA and has 600 nanometres in size (each nanometre equals the millionth of a millimeter), against 50 nanometres of the dengue virus.

It may not be dangerous for man

It has not yet been possible to establish whether this virus can bring consequences to man, but Abraham explains that the fact that it is bigger and more complex doesn't make it necessarily more dangerous. The mimivirus (generic name given to the giant viruses) have been found in animals and in humans. "The mimivirus have been associated with cases of pneumonia, but the studies are not yet conclusive. If this is true, the disease must manifest itself only in people who have already had immune problems. I can't believe a mimivirus is the cause of an epidemic, "says Abraham.

Following this investigation, the scientists also announced the discovery of a virus, dubbed of Rio Negro, which infects the Samba. For this feature, the Black River is classified as a virófago, name given to a virus that another parasite. He is able to reduce the multiplication of Samba and cause defects in training in descendants.

According to Abraham, the Rio Negro is important for maintaining the Samba in balance. "Samba infects and destroys the amoebas very easily. Without the Negro River to curb their proliferation, he would eventually destroy all amoebas and become extinct, since you wouldn't have to reproduce, "he explains.

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Devastating floods in the Balkans dig up landmines

Last week, the Balkan region experienced precipitation levels equivalent to three months, provoked the biggest floods in living memory. There are hundreds of isolated people waiting for help, thousands were forced to leave their homes and possessions behind and the authorities realize at least 44 dead. However, this may not be the bottom line as the water level continues to rise in some areas.

The Prime Minister of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, declared a State of emergency already in many cities around the country, including the capital, Belgrade. Also in Bosnia has been declared a State of national emergency, refers to Mashable.

One of the most complicated situations we live in Obrenovac, South of Belgrade, where after four days of intense rain, there are still people who are waiting for help on the roofs of houses and buildings. The bad weather affection also to the production of electricity, and there are many people without power for several days, at a time when Serbia's electrical production reduced by 40% and was forced to increase imports, agudizando the financial problems of the country.

In Bosnia the situation is too dramatic. Almost a third of the country was affected by the floods. One of the places most affected is the city of Doboj, where floods and landslides have caused at least 27 deaths. In total, there are about 150,000 homes without electricity in Bosnia.

In addition to rescue all the people isolated and restore electricity to thousands of homes, one of the main concerns of the authorities of both countries is related to landmines, left by the war in the former Yugoslavia, which did not explode and were now exposed by floods and landslide, constituting a danger to civilians.

The rains caused some flooding in Austria and Croatia. Several European Union countries, as well as Russia, are participating in the efforts of aid to Serbia and Bosnia.

Extreme rainfall observed in the Balkans is consistent with verified occurrences in other parts of the globe, which indicate that the planet is warmer as a result of the high emissions of greenhouse gases. As a result, large floods have become more severe and frequent. In recent years, countries such as Germany, Poland and Czech Republic have experienced degrees of abnormal rainfall and floods.

Fotos: Associated Press/Marshall

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Portuguese is the fourth most used language of Twitter

When we launched the Green Savers, three and a half years ago, we always have about us we extend to Facebook and Twitter, once the technology is one of the most powerful tools of social inclusion â€" and that allows us to reach more people and help more easily, to change mentalities.

Today, social networks are a privileged means to convey information related to sustainability, citizenship or good environmental practices. And in Portuguese, as Gnip data, an American company which examined various data since 2006 and concluded that the language of Luís Vaz de Camões and Jorge Amado is the fourth most used in this social network â€" Gnip data analyzed the language that users put as the main in your profile.

The graph below gives an account of the great popularity of Twitter in global terms, but also gives us to understand the amount of conversations in Portuguese in this social network. The Portuguese language only loses to England's (first), Japanese (second) and Spanish (third) in the global ranking. The following are the Indonesian, Arabic, French, Turkish, Russian and Korean.

This painting also explains how the major events impact the Twitter service. The huge increase in users who have selected the Arabic as preferred language, for example, coincided with the events of the last few years in the Middle East.

In percentage terms, taking into account all the languages used Twitter, the Portuguese rose of 0.03% in 2006 to the 0.31% (2007), 0.52% (2008), 1.48% (2009), 2.55% (2010), 4.26% (2011), 6.02% (2012). In 2013, this percentage dropped to 5.10%.

The English, with 51.02%, continues to be the main language used on Twitter, followed by Japanese (14.8%), Spanish (13.43%), Portuguese (5.10%) and Indonesian (3.25%).





Foto: JefferyTurner/Creative Commons

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The slow death of walking without purpose

Walking has become a luxury in the West. There are few people who can do it, given the congestion and all means of transport which have at their disposal. In this way, walk, regardless of distance, turned into a planned activity or recreation. Or for health reasons and to keep fit. However, there is one other thing that the walks provide: time to think.

Charles Dickens, Virginia Woolf, George Orwell, Thomas De Quincey, Friedrich Nietzsche or Vladimir Nabokov are some of the great world writers who appreciated a good walk and used this time to reflect on life and thinking these thoughts, which resulted in his works.

But it is not necessary to be a writer or a great thinker to cherish a good walk. But a hike in particular, the distance between the corner of the street and the nearest coffee shop. The journey of contemplation without a defined purpose.

May in the United Kingdom, is the National month of hiking and a book of Frederic Gros, launched recently, entitled "the Philosophy of Walking", is the subject of some discussion among the British. Last week, a Stanford University study highlights the benefits that a short walk, even if it's on a treadmill at home or the gym, promotes the creative thinking, says the BBC.

"There's something special about pace of walking and thinking, which seem to synchronize. Walking requires some attention, but provides many moments to think. I believe that once the blood begins to flow to the head, the brain starts to work more creatively, "says Geoff Nicholson, author of" The Lost Art of Walking ".

Nicholson is a writer who lives in Los Angeles, a city where cars have primacy. But there are many other cities where do a simple walk to be a Herculean task. Kuala Lumpur, for example, capital of Malaysia. Anyone who wants to walk in this city must have a great patience and nerves of steel. The tours end up mysteriously. The bustling streets must be traversed without the help of treadmills. And the simple act of walking down the street can cause bewilderment of residents.

But even in cities that appear to have been built for the cars there is fruit for those who choose to ramble. "Most of my hiking are made in the city â€" in Los Angeles things are scattered. Therefore, there is plenty to look at. Is urban exploration. I'm always looking for narrow streets and alleys strangers ", indicates Nicholson.

But not everyone is prepared to wait. There are many who consider hiking as long dead, an obligation to move from one side to the other without accomplishing anything useful, at a time when time seems to be increasingly precious. As such, this time is used to the fullest and it is increasingly common to see people walking and doing something else at the same time. Many walk and talk on a cell phone at the same time or send messages, view email or social networks. And accidents with pedestrians distracted by mobile devices are increasing.

The contemplative hikes seem to be on the verge of extinction, as well as the opportunity to reflect on life and its aspects.

Foto: Redrock Junction/Creative Commons

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Anonymous Arabia installs fridge on the street for delivery of leftovers to charity

A citizen of the city of Hail, in Saudi Arabia, found an interesting idea to get food to people who need it most and who often have too shy to ask. Thus, this anonymous installed a refrigerator in your neighborhood â€" even in front of your House â€" encouraging people with more possessions to leave meals inside.

The idea came to the international media when the Saudi religious Sheikh Mohammad Al Araifi praised the Act on your Twitter account, adding a picture: "always said that people Hail are generous. A man put a refrigerator in front of the House for the leftovers; an indirect act of charity for those who need it most, "explained the religious, cited by the BBC.

According to the Gulf News, the idea was well received by the followers of Al Araifi on Twitter. "The idea should be adopted and all the great mosques of the country should put refrigerators to carry and distribute food," said one of the followers.

According to the Gulf News, the idea may be exported to Bahrain in June. "It's a great act of charity that can make people happy and satisfied. There's the food factor, but there is also a spiritual dimension, especially during the holy month in which people establish great acts of charity, "explained a citizen of Bahrain to the newspaper.

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Brazil: company that contaminated rivers ordered to provide water and food to families impacted

Imerys Rio Capim Caulim, mining company responsible for contamination of rivers Cururuperê and palm oil, in Pará, Brazil, will have to provide water and basic food baskets to all those affected by the tragedy. According to Folha de Sao Paulo, the Federal Court of Pará understood that Imerys was responsible for two leaks that left the waters of the rivers without conditions of use, due to contamination by mineral kaolin.

The area hit by the ore belongs to the Brazilian Navy, and the amount of families impacted by contamination was not informed.

Kaolin is a white ore, used in various industrial sectors-especially the role.

Now, Imerys will provide 80 gallons of water per month to households at a disadvantage, and a purse of € 25 ($ 77). The value of the power supply will be increased to €11,5 (US $ 35) per dependent minor, up to a maximum of €85 ($ 262).

The monthly payments to the families will be kept until the Imerys demonstrate, by technical studies, which impacted rivers returned to their natural characteristics.

It is recalled that, at the end of April, This River, in Braga, was the victim of an unloading of 20 cans of 15 liters of white paint. The ink will have been discharged, accidentally, by AKI store. See some of the pictures of This.

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Watch 13 billion years of cosmic evolution in just 3 minutes

A team of scientists created the most detailed computer simulation of the history of the universe, where in a few minutes it is possible to observe the 13 billion years of evolution of the cosmos.

Called Illustris, the numerical base model covers the 13 billion years of the universe, starting 12 million years after the Big Bang. The simulation was developed by American, German and British investigators of the MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). The model reveals the distribution and composition of various types of galaxies, clouds of explosive gas of the early universe and the mysterious black holes.

The Illustris covers the cosmic evolution in a cube with a side length of 350 million light-years with unprecedented resolution. "So far, no simulation was able to reproduce the universe at scales so big and so small at the same time," says Mark Vogelsberger, astrophysicist who led the creation of the simulation. Previous attempts to represent graphically the universe have been hampered by undeveloped computing techniques and by the complexities of the underlying physics.

As a result, the previous modeling programs were limited in terms of resolution or were forced to focus on small portions of the universe. The team of scientists devoted five years to create the simulation. The calculations required for the modelling took three months to be carried out, using 8,000 computational processing units working in parallel. If they had used a normal computer, the calculations would have taken more than 2,000 years to carry out.

Basically, the simulation works like a time machine, which allows back and forth in time of the universe. It is also possible to stop the simulation and observe the details of a single Galaxy or cluster of galaxies.

The team of researchers condensed the 13 billion-year history of the universe in a short video, where you can see the temperature, the gas density, speed of gases and other aspects of the cosmos.

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Anglo-Portuguese partnership creates packaging of detergent from plastic collected at sea

The first detergent packaging made from plastic collected of the seas and beaches will be introduced in supermarkets in the United Kingdom at the end of the month. The company responsible for the production of packaging is the Ecover, which manufactures and markets environmentally friendly cleaning products.

The aim of Ocean Bottle is alert to the dangers of long-term presence of this material on marine ecosystems, causing the death of fish and birds, threatening the balance of global ecosystems.

To produce this new packaging is made from recycled plastic, Ecover has joined efforts with Portugal's Logoplaste, producer of plastic packaging, to combine the debris taken from the ocean with plastic produced from sugarcane. Initially, only 10% of the new plastic packaging material will be removed from the sea, but in the future the Ecover hopes to increase the proportion.

When present in a marine environment, plastic takes hundreds of years to decompose, through the combination of the salt water with the Sun. The variable amount of plastic collected from the sea by Ecover means that this material had to be mixed with other recycled plastic to produce a robust material that supports a household cleaning product, referred to in the Guardian.

"The problem of plastic in the Ocean has a huge range â€" every year at least a million seabirds and 100,000 sharks, turtles, dolphins and whales die due to ingestion of plastic. There is no choice-we simply want to clean plastic for the good of everyone, "says Philip Malmberg, executive director of Ecover.

The mark should also launch this year a laundry detergent produced from algae oil, a more sustainable alternative to Palm oil, which is used today in most detergents.

Foto: EdinburghGreens/Creative Commons

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As the makers of glass are innovating to avoid collisions of birds

Every year, between 365 million and 988 million birds die in the United States, due to collisions with buildings and homes, according to a report by BioOne. To work around this problem, several companies that manufacture Windows and glass are researching ways to begin to reduce the large number of deadly collisions. Using innovation, of course.

According to The New York Times, more and more American cities and States, like San Francisco and Minnesota, to adopt standards that promote the safety of birds. But this may not be enough.

"Almost everyone has seen or heard a bird hitting against a building. Companies who manufacture the glasses are realizing that there is a market for the product (s) friends of the birds, "explained to NPR Christine Sheppard, an activist against bird collisions of American Bird Conservancy.

One of the ideas, which is being tested by researchers at Fordham University, ponders add small white and black vertical strips to Windows, to prevent the birds go against these.

During the experiments, when the birds go into wind tunnels partially blocked by glass listed, they tend to avoid the lists. Another idea, less intrusive but more expensive, was proposed by Arnold Glas glass manufacturer. The company has developed a standardized reflective coating and ultraviolet, which has the advantage of being almost transparent to the human eye but detectable by birds.

Not only are the Windows that are causing problems, but also how they are used. The large mirrored facades, for example, are particularly dangerous for migratory birds. Thus, Fordham researchers are trying to figure out exactly how much space they can put between the lists, in large pieces of glass. If they can find the "G-spot" acceptable to architects and can repel the birds, this may be a plausible solution.

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Big Major Cay: the Bahamian island where pigs and humans can swim together

If you're planning a vacation this summer, here is a suggestion: Big Major Cay, also known as Praia dos Pigs. This uninhabited island of the Bahamas has delivered 20 wild pigs, living in complete freedom, strolling the beach and swimming in the translucent waters of the Pacific.

Such as on the island of rabbits, in Japan, it is not known how the animals got to the island. However, there are several possibilities: one is that pigs have been left by sailors, who had intentions to go back later and eat the pigs â€" to happiness of animals the sailors never returned, referred to the Dodo.

Although the island is not inhabited, the animals receive regular visits from tourists who want to see the pigs to swim freely, which ultimately provide the animals small rewards in the form of food.

Foto: ViralNova/mattbdiehl/NormLanier (Creative Commons)/Reddit/Collecting Wonder/Huffington Post

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Scientists create plastic able to regenerate

We all know what the dangers of plastic and its inability to quickly disappear from Earth â€" about 450 years, it is estimated, but a group of researchers from the United States is working on a method to regenerate this material.

Inspired by the circulatory system of animals, this new type of plastic can fill large cracks and holes, growing to correct these flaws. The study, which was published in the journal Science, advances that the existence of this kind of materials capable of self-repair is a breakthrough not only for commercial goods â€" this plastic would be ideal for a bumper of a car, for example â€" or for difficult repair or replacement products.

"We have developed a system of redress in a synthetic material, i.e. not alive, in a manner similar to what we see in some species," said Jeffry Moore, one of the researchers.

The new plastic gets his inspiration to the circulatory system of animals. "The vascular system allows the transport of a large number of agents Trustees. But it also allows multiple repairs, if the surface suffer damage several times ", confessed to the sustainable planet Nancy Sottos, a Professor of materials engineering at the University of Illinois, who investigated the new material.

The materials that allow this regeneration circulate for two â€" thinnest blood vessels capillaries â€" Parallels. When the damage occurs, the liquids of every capillary spread and blend, forming a gel that fills the cracks or holes in the material, hardening shortly after this process.

The team tested the regeneration in the two types of commonly used plastics: thermoplastics commercially â€" that can be molded at high temperatures â€" and thermoset-whose rigidity does not change with temperature.

The researchers were able to control the speed of the formation of the gel and its hardening, depending on the type of damage that the surface features. A hole caused by a bullet, for example, causes several cracks around. In this case, the reaction can be slowed down, so that the gel has time to penetrate into all the cracks before harden.

Foto: rosmary/Creative Commons

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The nursing homes, churches, schools and abandoned prisons of the United States

Daniel Barter, British photographer, is dedicated to urban exploration, in particular that of abandoned buildings of the United States. In the latest work, the photographer presents a series of photographs of homes, abandoned prisons and schools still offer a glimpse of what life would be like in these institutions in 20TH century America.

It was during a trip to the Northeastern States of the United States that Barter had opportunity to explore several abandoned public buildings which remain intact since they were closed. In addition to the public institutions, the photographer had the opportunity to explore various churches and hotels, where nobody disturbs the dust for decades.

However, these farms had a dose of danger. The urban exploration of closed buildings assumes an invasion of property, which in the United States is a criminal offense. "We visited five States and several major cities, from New York to Pittsburgh. It was a little dangerous at times, so much so that in less secure areas our guide carried a pistol ". One of the spaces that Barter was able to visit and photograph was Al Capone's cell at a federal penitentiary in Pennsylvania.

. fancybox-wrap {position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; z-index: 8020; }. fancybox-skin {position: relative; /* margin-top: 20px! important; */background: #222222; color: #74b32e; text-shadow: none; -webkit-border-radius: 2px; -moz-border-radius: 2px; border-radius: 2px; }. fancybox-opened {z-index: 8030;} . fancybox-opened. fancybox-skin {-webkit-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba (0, 0, 0, 0.5); -moz-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba (0, 0, 0, 0.5); box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba (0, 0, 0, 0.5); }. fancybox-outer,. fancybox-inner {position: relative;} . fancybox-inner {overflow: hidden;} . fancybox-type-iframe. fancybox-inner {-webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch;} . fancybox-close {background: url('wp-content/themes/codistage/styles/fancybox/exit.png') no-repeat; width: 25px; height: 25px; float: right; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 5px; }/*. ng-gallery-image img {width: 565px; height: 393px;}*/Os edifícios abandonados dos EUA1of 16jQuery (document). ready (function ($) {var thumbContainerWidth = 0, thumbs = Array (), selectedIndex = 1, thumbIndex = 1, imageOffset = 7; $ ('. ng-gallery-thumbnail-box '). each (function () {thumbs.push($(this)); }); /* thumbnail navigation */$ ('. ng-greensavers-thumb-next '). unbind (). bind (' click ', function (e) {e.preventDefault(); if (thumbIndex< == (thumbs.length-imageOffset)) {$ ('. ng-thumbnails-container '). stop (). animate ({left:-$ (thumbs [thumbIndex]). position (). left}); thumbIndex + +; } }); $ ('. ng-greensavers-thumb-prev '). unbind (). bind (' click ', function (e) {e.preventDefault(); if (thumbIndex >1) {$ ('. ng-thumbnails-container '). stop (). animate ({left: $ ('. ng-thumbnails-container '). position (). left + ($ (thumbs [thumbIndex-1]). position (). left-$ (thumbs [thumbIndex-2]). position (). left)}); thumbIndex--; } }); $ (window). load (function () {/* set thumbnail container width */$ ('. ng-gallery-thumbnail '). each (function () {thumbContainerWidth = thumbContainerWidth + $ (this). width () + 10; }); $ ('. ng-thumbnails-container '). width (thumbContainerWidth); }); });

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Brazil: tattoo artists received training to detect skin cancer

More than 450 professionals from leading Brazil tattoo studios were trained by medical oncologists to identify cases of skin cancer in its customers. The project is part of the campaign "tattoo artists against cancer (cancer) of the skin" and was developed with the support of trademark sunscreen Sun January.

The aim of the campaign is to make people that early diagnosis is the key to the treatment of skin cancer and the inclusion of tattoo artists in this process was idea of an advertising agency, Ogilvy Brazil.

Skin cancer is the most common type of the disease and accounts for more than half of the diagnoses. According to INCA brasileiro (National Cancer Institute), in 2014 should be diagnosed about 190 thousand new cases of skin cancer in the country, between melanoma and nonmelanoma.

As most people don't visit the doctor Dermatology as often as it should, the campaign created by Ogilvy asks for help to those who are closest to the people, in this case by the tattooists.

The training was provided by the surgeon oncologist João Duprat Neto, doctor of the Center for Dermatology and skin cancer Bc Camargo Cancer Center. "Our aim was to show some basic elements tattooists professionals that can help them interpret the lesions of their clients. Orient the criteria called the ABCD rule, i.e. Asymmetry, Irregular Edges, coloring (various colors or tones) and diameter (larger than five millimeters and increase or decrease in size ", explained the expert.

In this visual examination, the tattoo artists can give the alert and convince your customers to visit a dermatologist, the only one who can provide the diagnosis.

Foto: flequi/Creative Commons

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Albino Cobras are threatening wildlife in Gran Canaria

Several experts in invasive species will meet this week on the island of Gran Canaria to debate the best way to control the spread of an albino variety of the Serpent-King-California-reptile that is usually quite popular as pet-, whose number has increased considerably in recent years is decimating the local birds and several species of lizards.

Originally brought to the island as pets, this species to spare was released or escaped from captivity for several decades, indicates Ramón Gallo, a biologist who leads efforts to control the population of snakes, through a project called LIFE + Lampropeltis.

Without natural predators and with a coastal climate and mild temperatures, at all similar to those California conditions, snakes-King albino multiplied over the past eight years more than two thousand snakes were captured and it is thought that thousands of other animals living underground on the island.

This species of snake represents little danger to humans. However, animal life the situation is different, since hungry predators, feeding on birds, small rodents and rabbits. Particularly disturbing to the researchers is the taste of this snake by the Gran Canaria giant lizard, a species endemic to the island. A recent comparison of the population of lizards in the areas with snakes and snakes revealed a ratio of one to ten. "This could lead to the extinction of lizard," says Gallo, quoted by the Guardian.

Currently, the proliferation of snakes is limited to two areas in the East and Northwest of the island. The first snakes of this species have been sighted in freedom for 20 years. However, about 70% of residents still afraid of snakes. Often, the population usually find these snakes in cages of domestic birds, which assail to feed the birds.

The meeting of experts is part of the project for four years, LIFE + Lampropeltis, which aims to reduce the population of albino snakes to half. Released in 2011 and with a budget of more than € 1 million, the project foresees the training still dogs and Falcons to exterminate the invasive snakes as well as conducting more than 200 workshops to teach the locals how to kill snakes.

Foto: highlander411/Creative Commons

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The titanic struggle between buffalos and Lions

When a lion attacked a small Member of the clan of Buffalo, your mother threw herself to the King of the jungle and managed to keep him momentarily. Shortly after, explains Ben Cranke, author of these photos, the herd of buffalos advance against the lion, leading the predators to go back and defend themselves and begin a titanic struggle.

The photos, which reveal the beauty of African wildlife, were taken in Botswana, South Africa, and the fight was "electrifying", according to Cranke.

"The Lions began around Buffalo and the lioness matriarch, 13 years old, broke free and began chasing a young water buffalo, which was close to his mother and away from the herd. The young man was surprisingly fast for his age, but his mother reacted instinctively, putting himself between them and the Lions, "explained the amateur photographer.

The mother Buffalo responded to several attacks by the Lions and, with the help of the herd, managed to free himself of the Kings of the jungle. Later, the Lions returned to the attack, but it was too late. "It was extremely dramatic and emotional, but that's what happens every day in the African jungle," continued.

See some of the pictures.

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Thaw of Antarctica has already begun and is irreversible

The collapse of the West Antarctic ice sheet has already begun and is not reversible, revealed two distinct research teams studies. The retreat of glaciers is being driven by climate change and is already causing an increase in the average level of seawater very higher than scientists had anticipated.

The complete loss of the Western Antarctic ice could cause, eventually, an increase of four meters at sea level, devastating many coastal areas around the world. Studies indicate that although it is not possible to stop this thaw has already started, the considerable increase is still centuries away, potentially to a Millennium.

The two studies â€" one from NASA and the University of Washington â€" analyzed the ice sheets in Western Antarctica over several periods of time. NASA investigators focused on the melting of the last 20 years, while scientists at the University of Washington used computer models to analyse the future of glaciers in the West of the continent.

Both studies have reached similar conclusions â€" thinning and melting has started and cannot be reversed, even with dramatic actions to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases that cause climate change. Scientists suggest that the recent Antarctic ice accumulation was temporary.

"Much of the Western Antarctic ice is an irreversible State of conservation. Passed the point of no return. And this retreat will have disastrous consequences in increasing the level of sea water around the planet, "says Eric Rignot, glaciologist at NASA, the Guardian.

The scientists concluded that the causes for the loss of ice from the continent are complex â€" and it's not just due to higher temperatures. Both studies claim that the contact between the glaciers and warmer water in the depths of the Ocean was the main driver of the slow thaw.

Foto: NASA ICE/Creative Commons

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Hydroponic Kits: the latest ally of the farmer of couch (with video)

Have you ever thought about cultivating lettuce, spinach, broccoli, peppers, parsley, coriander or strawberries on your balcony, terrace or garden? A Portuguese company is selling hydroponic kits, easy to assemble and can save up to 70% of water to crops.

The hydroponics is a system in which the plants receive water and nutrients without recourse to Earth, except that which comes from the nursery, attached to the root. "On average, a lettuce of 300 grams can cost between 60 to 70 cents. But if you buy a head of lettuce in a nursery, with a cost between five to six cents, we get 60 plants in the kit, with a maintenance cost of €6 ", explained to the green economy Philip Hardy, CEO of HortaNova.

Filipe accounts do not include the cost of the kit, which is around 300, but is a medium and long-term investment that quickly can be monetized. The kit works with a deposit with a capacity of 50 litres of water. The pipes are also now included.

According to Philip Hardy, a beginner should start by planting lettuce, watercress, spinach, parsley and cilantro. "Are the easiest and least problematic for who goes first," he explained. Then, when you gain more experience, farmers of couch can make new bets.

The kit brings a book of advice for mounting, but all questions may also be taken by mail or phone.

In brief, this kit will also be for sale in nurseries across the country. "It is interesting for them, once they make a faster flow of plants if they sell the kits," concluded Philip thin.

See the episode 251 of the green economy, dedicated to agriculture of couch.

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British Airways wants to fly with fuel from garbage as early as 2017

Remember that scene from back to the future in which the scientist Doc Brown picks up a certain amount of trash and uses it as fuel for his DeLorean (see below)? British Airways is to copy this model of fuel, a project developed in conjunction with the Solena Fuels and that uses municipal solid waste â€" waste â€" to create 50 thousand metric tons of fuel per year.

If all goes as planned, this will be the first time that the garbage will be transformed into fuel-on top in one of the industries that desperately seeks more clean energy to create fuel.

According to Treehugger, Selena uses the Fischer-Tropsch process to develop the fuel and to invest a total of rose million (US $ 1.3 billion) in its technology.

After the trash cleaning and to be removed the toxic and recyclable materials, it will be combustado in an environment with little oxygen, which produces a synthesis of hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide, a process known as gasification.

"After that we will have a pretty neat fuel, of great quality," explained Jonathan Counsell, head of sustainability of British Airways. The responsible who spoke on advanced biofuels Leadership Conference, explained that turn waste into fuel is two times more efficient than the incineration of waste to electricity.

On the other hand, this new fuel reduces emissions of greenhouse gases up to 95%, compared with fossil fuels. And this figure does not include emissions of methane-a gas 30 times more damaging to global warming than carbon dioxide â€" which result from the decomposition of waste in landfills.

If everything goes on schedule, British Airways will start flying with developed fuel from garbage as early as 2017. Sounds like science fiction, but there's a lot that the aviation industry needed a news like this. We hope, nevertheless, that this technology is not an incentive for creating more trash, instead of continuing to fight for his inevitable reduction.

Foto: simonallardice/Creative Commons

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Fight plastic bags with Japanese art of the 8th century

One of the great challenges of humanity is to end up with plastic bags. The statement may seem extreme, but the truth is that dozens of cities around the world, are limiting the use of plastic bags, progressively or even abrupt and total.

If we followed this weekend should remember an article we published yesterday, which addresses this need to finish with the plastic bag. Coincidence or not, the episode's 250 green economy approaches the theme but from another perspective: the replacement of the plastic bag by cloths that wrap objects from the Japanese art of furoshiki.

This Japanese art, dating back to the 8th century, contributes to reduce waste and is revalued as an alternative to plastic bags. "The idea is to end up with [plastic bags] and get in fabric-squares of fabric robust in terms of fabric that hold the weight â€" and put it in our belongings, wrap them in tissue in what our grandparents and parents knew as a small backpack," explained to the green economy Susana Domingues, expert in this art.

Susana is responsible for a bet that Japanese arts workhsop for reuse and renew. At a time when every Portuguese spend more plastic bags than the European average â€" about 466 per inhabitant per year â€" the furoshiki and sashiko, another oriental technique, can be a good response to improve our environmental responsibility.

"Sashiko means short cons," says Susana Domingues. "He arose from a need, especially in the lower class of Japan, to stand up to the most rigorous Winters. The idea was for sew-overlap fabrics â€" to become more comfortable but also more cold-resistant ".

Today, these two techniques have other purposes, gaining another importance as mankind moves away of plastic bags and the crisis requires engendering new solutions to reuse objects and clothes.

"I don't know if it's related to the crisis, may be more related to fashion, but it is true that this area of things made by hand are much more sought after," concluded Monica Campanhã, student of one of the workshops taught by Susana Domingues.

See the episode 250 of the green economy.



Foto: goblinbox_ (queen_of_ad_hoc_bento)/Creative Commons

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British newspaper highlights youth and beauty of Braga

A young, eclectic city, a few kilometres from the Peneda-Gerês National Park and where you can enjoy walking. It is in this way that the respected British newspaper The Guardian refers to the city of Braga, "one of the oldest of Portugal", but almost always exchanged in Northern radar of tourists, by the harbour.

"I went to Barnard because I wanted to find out why this ancient city-a stronghold of the Roman Empire â€" was selected as the European Capital of Youth in 2012", explains journalist Jeanine Barone in the Saturday edition of The Guardian.

Due to its large student population and integration in the city of several young Portuguese, Braga has an "eclectic vibe, some lively cultural offerings and the bonus of outdoor adventures at the door, due to its proximity of the Peneda-Gerês National Park".

The paper highlights the hostels of the city â€" the hostel frequented by Jeanine offered him a bike for the journalist pedaling, but the offer was swapped with a visit on foot to the city. "The city is conducive to walking, with its cobbled streets and squares. University students can be seen on the terraces and bars, and some of the older buildings have become repositories for art or modern architecture, "says Jeanine.

The journalist highlights the cultural activities of the city, including a visit to the bookstore 100th, a bookshop which occupies a building with a facade from the 18th century. "The quiet life of Braga accelerates when the sun goes down, especially downtown. The intimate sense of the city and its compact size make it easy to visit the numerous bars, and offers a more inviting prospect than trying to enter the vast port offerings, more scattered, "says The Guardian.

Finally, the British newspaper praises the intergenerational interaction which can be seen on the streets of the city, the teenagers to Thrifty. Read the full article, in English, and see some photos of the former Bracara Augusta.

Fotos: AbhijeetRane/Jsome1/Arian Zwegers/TurismoenPortugal/amaianos/Mr Conguito/GOC53/Creative Commons.

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