The solar powered boat PlanetSolar has reached the Galapagos Islands during its circumnavigation to show that vessels can be powered by sources other than fosssil fuels. The visit to the nature preserve archipelago is spnsored by the World Wildlife Fund. Wonder what Darwin, who did so much impportant wildlife research in the Galapagos, would have thought of PlanetSolar?
From the press release: During its circumnavigation of the world entirely without fossil fuels, using only the power of the sun, MS TÛRANOR PlanetSolar is currently visiting the Galápagos Islands. The world’s largest solar boat anchored in the harbour of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristóbal, today, Tuesday, 25 January 2011, around 9.00 hrs a.m. local time (15.00 hrs UTC). The islands, which belong to Ecuador, are a unique natural paradise unlike anywhere else in the world. They have been included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites since 1978. Sustainable development plays a special role for this region. During its stopover the PlanetSolar team will meet a number of politicians and officials who are active in the field of nature conservancy. The visit has been made possible through a co-operation with the WWF, which has been supporting and implementing conservation activities in the Galápagos for more than 40 years in close partnership with local and national authorities, the private and public sectors, and the local community. WWF’s work in the islands is focused towards achieving a sustainable Galápagos in the future, and envisions a maximum use of renewable energy, especially as an important component in sustainable tourism. In this context the visit of MS TÛRANOR PlanetSolar offers the Galápagos Islands a concrete picture of the technological possibilities already available today in the field of renewable energy.
