Lanzarote: el papel de la crisis - Fundación César Manrique

to almost everybody. If we want less waste, we should set a limit on the contaminating
capacity of visitors and residents and, until such time as the measures for the reduction of
kilograms of waste per capita achieve the results that are deemed necessary, the individual
producers will also have to be reduced, while the waste generated is used to the best
advantage.
The conversion of food waste and similar into fertilisers for the recovery of productive soil,
checking erosion and aiming for an ecological agriculture to give the old, fundamental selfsufficiency
renewed strength, is an easy way to go about it, if the wherewithal to convert part
of the present contaminating burden left by tourists and residents into something highly
beneficial is both desired and available. The reuse of water containers, now disposable, would
mean an annual decrease of 700 tonnes of waste of a high-quality imported material - plastic -
which, having been used but once, ends up in the rubbish-bin. The organisation of the
construction and demolition of buildings in such a way that the materials could be reused
afterwards would mean the island’s liberation from the fierce depredation of volcanic cones for
conversion into coal. The harnessing of solar energy would put an end to carbon dioxide
effluents and other contaminants, thus reducing dependence on energy from outside.
These are just a few examples of an immediate course of action thanks to which the new
maps of a respected biosphere might portray the ínsula de Lancelott as a privileged
destination coveted by new tourists respectful of its environment and eager to experience
the new, exciting adventure of its enjoyment and conservation.
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