Rio gears up for 'green' fireworks

This year's New Year's Eve fireworks on Rio's famed Copacabana beach, an event expected to draw nearly two million party-goers, will have an environmental theme, officials said Wednesday. "We are very proud to organize the world's biggest 'Reveillon' show, the liveliest and the most peaceful," said Mayor Eduardo Paes. "We are going to have once more a super event with beautiful, spectacular and fantastic fireworks for all tastes." Press reports said the elaborate firework display would seek to represent solar energy, flora and fauna as well as the wind and optimism. The celebration, in which nearly 24 tons of fireworks will be detonated for 16 minutes from midnight on January 1, will also feature a laser show and music by DJ Joao Brasil. Attendees were expected to come clad all in white to the event, which calls attention to the importance of protecting the environment and to ways people can contribute to building a better planet for future generations. It is planned as part of the lead-up to Rio+20, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development scheduled to take place in the Brazilian city in June. Some 1,500 policemen will provide security for the Copacabana extravaganza, the biggest of 10 such events across the city.