Business
A green recovery
EU governments rally behind an economic recovery centred around the European Green Deal.
15 April 2020
Main image: Proposed design. ©Synthesis CG
After a recent study showed human connection to nature has declined by more than 60% in the last 200 years, one small country is defying the odds by capturing the attention of fellow Europeans.
The European Central Bank recently launched a public contest to design the new European banknotes.
Lithuanian non-profit Ancient Woods Foundation responded with a proposal to feature the rare birds of Lithuania’s ancient forests, such as the exotic capercaillie dance, on a 100 euro note.
Like the note’s denomination, only a few hundred of these birds remain in Lithuania; however, this precious species, as well as many others, might survive for future generations – but only with increased public support for endangered species.
The unofficial proposal aims to spread the word about how to protect Europe’s most biodiverse places across the continent.
After the contest finishes, the public will be invited to provide feedback on the designs selected. The Governing Council is expected to decide on the final design by the end of 2026.
The new banknotes will be ready to enter circulation some years after this decision and following the production process.
‘The euro is more than a currency – it symbolises European unity and diversity. Through this contest, we invite designers across Europe to shape the future of our banknotes to reflect our shared cultural identity and natural heritage.’
CHRISTINE LAGARDE
ECB President
This cheeky campaign follows the newly-launched local initiative ‘Neįkertamas miškas’ (‘Untouchable property’), which wittily juxtaposes biologically mature and valuable areas of forests with real-estate projects.
All the ‘property’ will belong exclusively to the ‘local’ residents – nature and all its life forms, and will be left alone, without human intervention, to turn into old-growth forests. The initiative was launched in partnership with the agency Synthesis CG. It aims to raise 200,000 euros throughout the month of August to buy roughly 20 hectares of mature forests.
So far, the project has raised 111 thousand euros.
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