Canary Islands at Breaking Point: Foundation Calls for Urgent Shift in Development Model
The Canarina Foundation is calling for an urgent shift in the Canary Islands' economic model, advocating for a moratorium on tourism development and a transition toward ecological restoration and local self-sufficiency to address environmental degradation.
Land management in the Canary Islands has reached a breaking point. The Canarina Foundation, which focuses on environmental preservation in the archipelago, warns that the current economic model has pushed the islands to their limit, threatening both local biodiversity and the quality of life for residents.
The Foundation argues that the term "sustainability" has been misused, narrowed down to focus only on tourism profits. They believe this ignores the urgent need to diversify the economy and achieve self-sufficiency. Currently, the islands rely heavily on imports for food, energy, and water, leaving them dangerously vulnerable to global crises.
To address this, the Foundation is calling for a shift toward ecological restoration, particularly in mid-altitude areas and thermophilic forests that have been damaged by urban sprawl and farming. Their proposal suggests combining land recovery with regenerative agriculture—moving away from chemical fertilizers toward decentralized, local food production. Regarding energy, they oppose building large solar farms on farmland, advocating instead for installing solar panels on existing urban rooftops.
The Foundation identifies population growth and the heavy consumption of natural resources as the root causes of the current crisis. They are calling for immediate action, including a moratorium on new tourism developments and vacation rentals to allow time to rethink the islands' growth strategy. They also stress the need for stricter land-use regulations to protect natural areas from being turned into overcrowded tourist attractions.
Beyond highlighting these problems, the Canarina Foundation is actively funding projects to prove that alternative models are viable. They are also investing in environmental education for schools, believing that understanding the local ecosystem is the first step toward protecting it. While they acknowledge the public's frustration, they note that environmental awareness is growing rapidly across Canarian society, moving from a niche concern to a mainstream priority.