When I hiked near Pico de las Nieves, the highest point on the island, I saw smoke rising from the ground where pine needles were still burning. This reminded me that wildfires are a serious danger on the dry mountains of Gran Canaria. These fires can spread quickly, damaging forests and threatening homes.
The ocean is changing too, and big storms can damage the coast. Last week, a heavy rainstorm hit the city of Ingenio, causing a huge landslide. Homes were destroyed, and cars were washed away.
To tackle climate change, people in Gran Canaria are using renewable energy sources. Windmills, which take advantage of the island’s strong winds, and solar panels, which harness the abundant sunshine, are common sights.
Many homes are also designed with energy efficiency in mind, using special materials that regulate temperature naturally. These homes stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter without relying on air conditioning or heating, reducing energy consumption and helping people live comfortably. Even the island’s first inhabitants, the Guanches, understood the importance of adapting to their environment. They built cave dwellings that stayed naturally cool in the summer and warm in the winter, demonstrating their deep connection to the land.
As the number of tourists increases, the local government and communities have been working to control the impact on natural areas. Many national parks, like Roque Nublo, now have reservation systems in place to limit how many people can enter the park at one time.
