Organizers prepare for "Green" World Youth Day

(March 15, 2011) Organizers of the upcoming World Youth Day in the Spanish capital of Madrid are reporting their efforts to make the event environmentally friendly and a 100% natural. The organizers of the August event recently announced the program called "100% Natural," which expresses the commitment to hold a non-contaminating event. Eva Latonda, who is in charge of the 100% Natural program, stated, "To hand over a land in good conditions to the new generations is a concern of every Christian, and hence also for the World Youth Day." Organizers explained that Zeroemissions, a company of the Abengoa industrial group that provides global solutions to fight against climate change, will calculate the direct gas emissions contributing to the greenhouse effect that will take place during the 2011 World Youth Day, and in general are inevitable in mass events, and will compensate through voluntary carbon credits.
Another initiative to support the environment, thanks to "100% Natural" are - the launching of an online carpool application, which will put young people in contact with others who will go to the events by car or other means, so as to reduce the number of vehicles in Madrid. The program will also install bicycles that generate energy, so that the youth day participants can recharge their mobiles, portables devices, and other electronic equipment.
The program organizers have also launched several competitions. Family Rosary International, FRI, an ecclesial movement, has donated 600,000 rosaries that will be included in the official backpacks for the young people. Fr.James Phalan of FRI, who is in Madrid, said he hoped that this contribution will be one more thread in the beautiful tapestry of Madrid's World Youth Day.