Engineer Turns Activist, Saves Protected Marine Ecosystem in Tenerife
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📰 The quick summary: Civil engineer Carlos Mallo Molina abandoned his career to protect a marine ecosystem in Tenerife, founding nonprofit Innoceana which successfully prevented construction of a port in a marine protected area.
📈 One key stat: Molina’s activism saved a crucial marine habitat for an entire population of endangered pilot whales that wasn’t accounted for in outdated environmental impact assessments.
💬 One key quote: “I think understanding how my impact was going to destroy actually a marine protected area … [I realized] I need to do something to change what I’m doing in the way that I can protect this ocean.“
1️⃣ The big picture: Former civil engineer Carlos Mallo Molina became an environmental activist when he realized a port project he was working on threatened a marine protected area in Tenerife, Canary Islands. After quitting engineering in 2018, he founded the nonprofit Innoceana and mobilized a community coalition including biologists and lawyers to oppose the development. Their scientific data showed the port would endanger numerous marine species, including a significant pilot whale population. The campaign ultimately convinced the Spanish government to cancel the port project, earning Molina the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: The successful campaign preserved a vital marine ecosystem teeming with sea turtles, whales, and diverse marine life in a protected area off Tenerife’s coast. Beyond stopping harmful development, activists secured funding to create a marine conservation and education center that will serve the community long-term. This victory demonstrates how citizen-led environmental initiatives can effectively challenge destructive infrastructure projects through scientific evidence and community engagement. Molina’s transformation from engineer to award-winning activist offers an inspiring example of how individuals can pivot their careers to align with environmental values.
3️⃣ What’s next: Innoceana will establish a marine conservation and education center to teach local children about ocean protection. The organization aims to support sustainable development that safeguards the marine protected area. This approach creates what Molina calls a “long-lasting solution” for both environmental preservation and community needs.
Read the full story here: Mongabay.com – Goldman Prize winner’s shift from engineer to activist in Tenerife, Canary Islands
