The Galapagos Islands are some of the most unique and ecologically fragile ecosystems in the world. Inspiring Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, the Galapagos offer glimpses of species found nowhere else in the world. Though the islands are part of Ecuador’s national park system, and conservancy groups are constantly trying to protect the species that live on and off the island, human presence has already begun to erode an ecosystem that evolved without humans in it.
The Humans Are Coming! The Humans Are Coming!
Every year, more than 140,000 tourist descend on the islands to catch a glimpse at its pristine coastlines and unusual native plants and animals. In addition to these transient ‘uninvited guests of the island’, a population of 30,000 (which is triple the number from two decades ago) resides permanently on the islands. To support the accompanying infrastructure that comes along with every human, 10 million gallons of diesel fuel are shipped to the Galapagos annually with a fifth of that fuel being used to generate electricity.
Suffice to say, even the most clueless of human beings can see the inherent danger in a huge tanker ship navigating the rocky waters surrounding one of the world’s most fragile and unique ecosystems. Given this obvious danger, the Ecuadorian government is making moves to ‘be more green’ in what was already one of the greenest place on Earth until we found it.
Greening What Was Once The Greenest Place On Earth
In the past few years, several ‘green initiatives’ have been implemented on the different islands. In 2007 3 wind turbines were erected on San Cristobal (the 2nd most populous island) that supply the population with about half of the electrical needs most of the time and 90 percent of their needs when the winds really start blowing. A similar system is planned for Santa Cruz island next year. In addition to these turbines, other efforts have been made to be less environmentally intrusive such as upgrading fuel storage sites and installing biodiesel generators. Also, solar arrays have been installed on a couple of islands with plans to install an array at the Isla Batra airport in 2011 that will supply it with about 25 percent of the electricity it needs to operate.
thanks to Liam for the story tip
The Good: Efforts are being made to lessen the impact of an ever increasing human population on the Galapagos.
The Bad: Ideally there should be no human impact. Even with these ‘green upgrades’, the islands would still fair better if there were no humans/tourism period. These ‘green upgrades’ to the islands still do not eliminate the need for diesel fuel and its transport through fragile areas.
The Bottom-Line: Though these attempts to lessen the footprint of humans on the Galapagos may indeed help, the sheer number of people visiting or living on the islands are its biggest environmental stressors. Given the fragility and unique remoteness of the islands, any human intrusion poses unintentional consequences for the native ecology; regardless of how ‘benign’ that impact is attempted to be made.
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