Performing climate democracy: How a city in Brazil is using legislative theater to influence policy
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By Amanda Luz
In Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, located about 300 kilometers from São Paulo, young people and senior citizens from the city’s outskirts gather on Saturdays to express through theater how the climate crisis is impacting their lives. Flooding, air pollution and urban heat island effect are just some of the local challenges highlighted in these performances, which began in January.
The initiative is led by the Centro de Referência Popular (CERPO), an organization that graduated from the first cohort of the Climate Democracy Accelerator (CDA) last year, and funded by the São Paulo State Department of Culture. As the project concludes, participants will present a theater play they have collectively created at a public event in the city. This performance, set to happen in the second half of 2024, will also inform and contribute to the city’s new Climate Change Plan.
Edgar Reinaldo Prandini, representing CERPO, developed the legislative theater project during his intensive five-month training and mentorship in People Powered's accelerator program. "I hadn’t realized that theater could influence policymaking,” Edgar said, “until I joined the CDA.”
Reflecting on his initial goals during the CDA, he noted his objective was to "remove the dust from the municipal climate plan" and engage those directly affected by climate issues, bringing fresh perspectives to environmental advocacy. With Ribeirão Preto home to over 70 "favelas", Edgar and his organization hoped this initiative would spotlight the importance of more inclusive and resilient urban planning. "We understand that the most affected climate change in cities are those in vulnerable social and economic situations, as they predominantly live in areas at higher risk of climate-related disasters, such as floods and landslides."
With the help of his mentor and training resources, Edgar says that it was helpful to know "where to start and how to plan" his project, for a successful implementation. "The CDA program helped me develop an actionable plan to obtain funding and other necessary resources, in addition to introducing me to the concept and process of legislative theater."
In collaboration with Ribeirão Preto's Municipal Secretary of Culture, the anticipated public performance will showcase the community-driven solutions to climate challenges. As the project progresses, CERPO aims to involve more local government officials in workshops and to expand it to neighboring cities.
On Earth Day, projects like Edgar's remind us of the role of participatory democracy in a more just climate transition. If you want to know more about other graduate projects from the Climate Democracy Accelerator, check its page and sign up for the learning webinar in June!