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The Galapagos go green

October 8, 2013

The Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean, home to a stunning variety of species, have become ground zero for climate change, and the battle to stop it.

https://p.dw.com/p/19w8t
Iguanas on the Galapagos Islands ( Manuela Kasper-Claridge)
Image: Manuela Kasper-Claridge

Ecuador: The Galapagos Island Under Threat From Climate Change

Project goal: rolling out green energy

Project size: Floreana, one of the main islands of the Galapagos group

Project volume: 2.1 million euros provided by the International Climate Initiative

The Galapagos Islands are made up of a series of archipelagos and islands and deemed a UNESCO world heritage site. Together, they boast a vast number of species, from plants to animals. But one in every five of the island’s endemic plant species is under threat, as well as half of the endemic animal species - like the Galapagos penguin. The animal’s source of food has vanished, thanks to climate change and warmer waters. Global Ideas joins researchers from the Charles Darwin Foundation as they work to protect native species from the effects of climate change. And the report isn’t just about species conservation. Global Ideas also shows how renewable energies are cleaning up electricity generation. The island of Floreana is entirely powered by electricity generated from Jatropha seeds. And cultivating the plant has provided farmers with an important economic boost.

A film by Manuela Kasper-Claridge