An initiative to educate masses on reducing energy consumption of CO2 emissions and support Accion Natura’s efforts in Brazil Bosquevirtual.com, an initiative by Union Fenosa, aims to educate the public in energy saving activities through a simple questionnaire. By analysing lifestyles, the questionnaire then measures consumer’s energy consumption and offers energy saving tips, among many other potential services still to be explored.
Studies carried out in recent years demonstrated that consumers who completed the survey learned to save energy and reduce CO2 emissions – an average of 48 kilos yearly per user – and at the same time reduce costs on their bills.
For each successfully completed questionnaire, one euro is donated to Accion Natura – up to 100,000 euros – and a tree is planted in the virtual world of Second Life. But not everything remains a figment of imagination. For each form filled up online, the electricity company donates one euro, and if the cybernaut makes mention of Bosquevirtual.com in their blog or personal site, another five euros is donated. More than 180 cybernauts have already made reference to the campaign.
Accion Natura is a Spanish NGO dedicated to the protection and improvement of astral ecosystems. In the future, Bosquevirtual.com will be “transplanted” to the Atlantic forest in Brazil. Some 50 hectares of deforested jungle will be redeveloped, helping to improve one of the most degraded areas on the planet. The Atlantic jungle is considered one of the major biodiversity treasures on earth given the high number of animals and plant species endemic to this type of forest. Of the 53 animals in danger of extinction in Brazil, 383 can be found in this area.
A tree planted in Second life is shared with another person and identified by both their names. It can be located on the website by plugging in the email of the user who completed the form. Today over 10,000 people have participated in the initiative, reducing CO2 emissions by 420,000 kgms, generating over 5,000 virtual trees and donating 5,000 euros to Accion Natura.
