Ironically, the sustainability focus in the region has always been on the protection of animals. But this surge in human population is now putting undue stress on the Galapagos, reports the BBC:

[T]he islands do not cater for the human species as well
as they do for the rest of their inhabitants. Tap water is not
drinkable, so large quantities have to be imported from the mainland.
Shipments of food and fuel also reach the islands on boats that bring
with them mosquitoes, flies and rats that are threatening the islands’
native species.

In Santa Cruz, the most populated island, there is no sewage system.
The waste water is slowly penetrating the underground water reserves,
contaminating them and the coastal waters.

There is also a
problem with the disposal of the growing amounts of rubbish. Despite an
efficient recycling system, the rubbish, once sorted, has to be shipped
back to the mainland because it cannot be treated here.

Government officials have taken action to help control the overpopulation by identifying and deporting residents who do not have the proper permits to work in the islands. And they’ve also said they will begin looking to implement more sustainable practices for the residents, encouraging them to find alternative energy sources and to take better care of their environment.

“For years everybody dedicated themselves to conservation on
Galapagos, and all the revenue went towards that,” says Fabian Zapata,
former director of the regional planning agency, told the BBC. “We were
trying to save the blue-footed boobies and the giant tortoises, but we
forgot about human beings. We forgot that we need to give them
education and skills, and infrastructure.”

[BBC News]

Photo: Senior photo editor Dan Westergren

















Ecuador – Galápagos Islands – Galapagos Islands – South America – Provinces

View full post on Intelligent Travel Blog

It’s part of the reality of living in a world fueled by hydrocarbons, and some of the fuel made here is destined for U.S. gas tanks. However, its good to know that both islands are also taking steps toward a greener future.

The Tera Kora and Playa Kanoa wind farms in Curacao, for example, will soon put out a combined 30 megawatts of clean power, and Aruba also is building a 30 megawatt wind farm — a great legacy for future generations of residents of two islands where Dutch heritage and steady trade winds makes alternative energy projects like these a natural fit.

Learn More About Wind Power

Aruba, Curacao Look Beyond Oil, Seek Green Energy originally appeared on About.com Caribbean Travel on Sunday, February 7th, 2010 at 10:44:52.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

View full post on About.com Caribbean Travel