The government of Ecuador has just announced that it has green-lighted plans to build the world’s first “ecological airport”… in the Galapagos Islands.
According to spokesman Guillermo Bernal, the project will feature wind and solar power, a retractable roof, and ocean breezes in the place of AC. Don’t book your flight just yet, though: the project is anticipated to take 15 years to complete.
The islands are one of the world’s most popular travel destinations, especially for nature enthusiasts, and the biodiversity of the islands was just one of the reasons why the Galapagos were named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978.
Some of the species that call the Galapagos home aren’t found anywhere else in the world.
But the number of visitors who flood the islands each year–approximately 80,000 a year since 2001–create serious environmental problems, including habitat and species destruction, soil erosion, and massive amounts of waste.
So forgive me if I’m a bit skeptical, but isn’t another airport (there are already 2 on the islands)–even a supposed “ecological airport”– a bad idea for islands that are already threatened by too much tourism?
What’s your opinion? Sound off in the comments section below!
Community Connection: There are several organizations in the Matador community that offer volunteer experiences in the Galapagos. Check them out here!
Feature photo: Harry R (Flickr creative commons)
Photo: stirwise (Flickr creative commons)
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8 Comments... join the discussion!
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Eva- You're absolutely right…the tourists are going to keep coming and so if another airport is being built, might as well be "green." BUT–and the big but–is that building another airport isn't really the biggest priority (at least from this outsider's perspective). The big priority for sustainable development in the Galapagos is establishing a better plan for managing the flow of tourists in a way that will protect the reasons people go there in the first place.
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Too bad all those planes that'll be using the new airport won't be running on wind and solar. It's hard to even imagine a time when "green" and "air travel industry" will cease to be polar opposites.
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There are 3 airports in Galapagos, 1 in Baltra another in San Cristobal, and the newest one is on the Island of Isabela. I lived there for 4 years.
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This new airport will REPLACE the current one on Baltra. they are not adding another airport. Only Baltra & San Cristobal receive flights directly from mainland of Ecuador.
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John and Peggy- Thanks for the local information. The original report didn't mention anything about the new airport replacing the old one. My question for the planners would be: how do they plan to dispose of the materials from the demolition of the existing airport and/or repurposing the existing structure? And the point remains: what's being done to mitigate the negative effects of the overtouristed islands?
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Dear friends, If you have being in the Galapagos, you must agree that the Islands need better air facilities. The devlopment of a new airport over the current one will only give better facilities to the tourist taking absolutelly care on the environment. There will be a new green building with sustainable operations. The airport by itself will not increase the tourists which are regulated by the National Park. Additionally, The leftovers of the old airport will be used for the construction of this new airport
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Dear friends, This airport will be built over the current one. The left overs of the old one will be reused for the new one according to the latest green building practices. The new airport will not necessarily bring more tourists to the islands. The flow of tourist are controlled by the National Park. This new airport will be constructed with galapagos friendly and safe materials, will be operated wisely saving energy and using natural energy, Solar and eolic. Also will be operated in a sustainable way taking care of the the environment and the animals.
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