Eco-innovation in the P-O: Écofestival VallespirThis new series aims to highlight examples of eco-innovation and experimentation by local groups in the P-O forging new paths for living and thriving within the boundaries of our natural systems. This is the third article in our series. Read our previous pieces about an inspiring community farm in Sorède, Micro ferme la Cotcolleda and La Casa Bicicleta in Perpignan.
25th Écofestival Vallespir Terres Vivantes, Céret
Véra Halilou
On the occasion of the association’s 25th anniversary, Vallespir Terres Vivantes adopted the theme, “Women at the heart of the environmental struggle” (Les femmes au coeur des luttes écologiques) for its annual Écofestival, which took place over the weekend 02-05 October.
Commencing with a poetry event on Thursday evening and culminating in a day-long celebration on Sunday in the beautiful setting of Céret’s Mas Nogarede, the Écofestival brought together activists and concerned citizens seeking ways in which we can all live more respectfully of one another and of mother nature.
Our water situation
On Friday, an engaged audience gathered in Le Boulou’s Maison de l’Eau to hear Caroline Figueres, an international water consultant originally from Perpignan, speak about water resources in the P-O, now and into the future. She came armed with challenging statistics and inspiring case studies.
Caroline Figueres
Caroline presented figures on water withdrawal in the region which showed that, in 2021, agriculture accounted for 83% of the total water withdrawal, while drinking water accounted for 16% and industry and tourism for roughly 1%. More recent data showed that, despite recent rainfall, most the region’s underground water reserves remain at high risk or crisis levels.
Not just a “resource”
After focusing on diminishing water supplies, Caroline reflected on the increasingly concerning question of water quality, largely due to harmful industry pollutants, including chemical fertilizers and pesticides, microplastics and PFAS or ‘forever chemicals’, and the pressing question of ‘who will pay’ for improved water treatment and for health and environmental harm. She flagged the critical need for water users to adapt to changing water levels and to collectively better manage water withdrawals through sustainable planning and dialogue. She also shared examples from the P-O and abroad where people are pioneering new farming methods to work with water shortages. She concluded with a call for users to recognise the limits our water resources, and to act with greater consciousness within those limits. She envisages a time where we move beyond seeing water simply as a ‘resource’ and reconnect with the life-sustaining element it is.
Community spirit
Sunday’s day-long event was a magical convergence of music, theatre, workshops, market stalls, knowledge-sharing and delicious food. A women’s choir sang ballads of female resistance and courage. Local producers and craftspeople provided an array of traditional and innovative products, and a diligent team of cooks staffed the communal canteen and fed the hungry crowd.
Solar cooking
Among the stallholders was Véra Halilou, founder of Akilow, an enterprise based in Palau del Vidre specialised in solar cooking. Véra provided fascinating demonstrations using various solar cooker models and engaged with inquisitive attendees about the operations and benefits of this approach. As well as developing and selling solar cookers, Véra supports businesses who seek to transition to more environmentally friendly ways of working.
Gerard Llorca is a long-time association member of Vallespir Terres Vivantes. The annual Écofestival is one of the associations key activities which also includes a seed fair, campaigns against the use of pesticides and against GMO pollution and working hand in hand with other ecological groups in the region. As part of its mission to preserve nature, the association aims to promote all forms of solidarity and conviviality. Gerard highlighted the central role of associations throughout the country as a mechanism for protecting communities’ interests and countering environmental and health harm.
Community spirit