Brazilian man builds floating home from scrap to promote environmental change

RIO DE JANEIRO 22 March (Reuters) – As Luiz Fernando Barrreto floats atop a home he made from scrap wood and metal, passersby stare in awe.

Luiz Bispo is a 55-year-old local artist and philosopher who is known locally as Luiz. He has his own small circular swimmingpool and van on board.

He stated, “I feel an incredible personal satisfaction knowing I built it using recycled material,” and he did so from inside his vessel. The windows were made from old wardrobes.

Barreto explains that the main purpose of his floating house is to get politicians to pay attention to environmental concerns in the popular tourist destination.

Barreto is a resident of Rio de Janeiro’s Pavuna River, where he collects raw sewage and trash. He collects the dirty water and puts it in a plastic container. This allows him to filter the water and remove any trash or plastic that has gotten into the river.

He said, while sitting on an old sports car seat that he attached to his raft, “If there is a product on this planet that is really valuable, it’s neither diamonds nor golden.” “Water has always been valued, and will continue to be. Water is the foundation of life. Barreto, a Brazilian native who grew up in one of Rio’s many poor neighborhoods, known as favelas said that he hopes global environmental activists Greta Thunberg will see the problems in Rio, including the polluted Guanabara Bay which surrounds the city.

“Come to Rio de Janeiro, come help us, come walk along Guanabara Bay. … It’s a humble boat, but it is entirely made from recycled material. Come and swim in my pool.

Sergio Queiroz reports; Steven Grattan writes; Mark Porter edits

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