The National World Environment Week, which began last Monday (05), celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2017. In a joint action between the UN Environment Department, the NGO Instituto Moleque Mateiro and Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, native seedlings were planted at the George Helal Training Center, in Vargem Grande.

With the goal of raising global awareness about environmental issues and including society in discussions about natural heritage, various events are held around the world with a central theme. This year, the chosen theme was "Connecting People with Nature," encouraging contact between humans and the environment.

Flora Pereira, a communicator for UN Environment, speaks about the importance of this type of initiative, highlighting the involvement of children in a topic whose importance grows with each passing moment.

"If we stop to think about it, we are very involved with our cell phones and tablets, very much inside the city, with the world's urban population growing every year. So this issue, which seems simpler than it is, has become urgent," he says. "Being connected ranges from planting a tree, which is what we are doing here today, to visiting parks, going to the beach, going into the sea. All these small actions are important, because when we understand that we belong to nature and it to us, we will want to protect it. No one is better than children to be involved with this issue," he concludes.

With the participation of the beloved club, the cause gains even greater relevance, according to Flora Pereira. The UN Environment Communicator emphasizes that decentralizing this type of movement, taking it to other sectors of society beyond those directly involved with these issues, has a huge influence on the adoption by a larger part of the population.

"Planting native seedlings gives even greater visibility to the cause. When a team shows that sport goes beyond the football field, also considering health, society in general, and the environment, it demonstrates that the issue isn't just about one sector, but about everyone," she emphasizes. "We are very happy with this partnership. May it be the first of many teams," Flora celebrates.

Once again, social causes gain an ally in Clube de Regatas do Flamengo. The pursuit of a better society is everyone's fight, and engagement with globally relevant issues gains even more prominence with the involvement of major entities, regardless of the sectors in which they operate.