Ecuador Eliminating Fossil Fuel Use in the Galapagos

[Judi Lynn]

May 7, 2009
Ecuador Eliminating Fossil Fuel Use in the Galapagos

The Galapagos Islands rank right up there with the Amazon and the Serengeti as one of the richest and best known, yet fragile and threatened, ecosystems in the world. Now, the Ecuadoran government is looking to a range of alternative energy resources to make sure it stays that way.

Recognized by the UN as a World Heritage Site for its rare and unique marine and terrestrial fauna and flora, booming eco-tourism in the Galapagos, ironically, has added to the challenges and problems faced by those looking to restore and protect the island's native species and ecological balance.

The Ecuadoran government has turned to wind and solar power as a means of realizing its goals. Along with a range of international aid organizations and private sector businesses, it's working to eliminate the use of fossil fuels on the Galapagos Islands by 2015.

The Ecuadoran government's projects in the Galapagos clearly demonstrate the significant long- and short-term advantages and benefits renewable energy resources and technology can provide. As project participants expect to demonstrate, a diversified base of clean, renewable energy systems can reliably and economically supply electrical power needs with a much smaller physical footprint, and with little or no environmental risk and damage as compared to their fossil fuel counterparts.

Wind and solar power play big roles in the government's renewable energy plans. Wind turbines and solar panels are now generating electricity for the community of San Cristobal, population around 6,000.

More:
http://www.triplepundit.com/pages/ecuador-eliminating-fossil-fuel-use-in-t.php