For those who love to travel but are concerned about the environmental impacts of flying, the Ecological Airport of the Galapagos is the perfect destination. In 2017, the airport became the first in Latin America to be recognized as carbon neutral by the Airports Council International’s Airport Carbon Accreditation Program. This program accredits airports that are trying to reduce their carbon emissions, and the Galapagos airport has offset over 71,000 kilograms of CO2 and provided over 340,000 carbon-neutral air miles.
The airport was built in 2012 using 80% recycled materials, including steel pipes repurposed from the oil fields in the Ecuadorian Amazon. It is also the first airport in the world to be run entirely on renewable energy, utilizing both solar and wind energy. 65% of the total energy used by the airport comes from wind energy, and 35% is provided through PV panels installed on the airport walkways. The airport also has its own desalination plant, which converts seawater into fresh water for the airport.
The airport has partnered with CarbonClick to support carbon offsetting projects, such as the Tambopata-Bahuaja Biodiversity Reserve in the Peruvian Amazon and providing more environmentally sustainable cookstoves in Ayacucho and Huancavelica in Peru.
The Ecological Airport of the Galapagos is one of eight environmentally friendly airports in the world, as defined by the Airport Industry Review. These airports include Delhi Indira Gandhi Airport in India, Boston Logan Airport and Denver International in the United States, Zurich Airport in Switzerland, Oslo Airport in Norway, Stockholm Airport in Sweden, and Singapore Changi Airport. Many of these airports use renewable energy sources similar to those used in the Galapagos.
Due to its status as a protected National Park, there are no international flights directly to the Galapagos International Airport. Instead, travelers should take a flight to Quito or Guayaquil, which they can then use to get to the Galapagos. By flying into and out of environmentally friendly airports in Europe, Asia, and the Americas, travelers can enjoy their trip without contributing to global carbon emissions.
FAQ
Q1. How electric car batteries work?
A1. Electric car batteries are typically lithium-ion batteries that store energy and power the motor. They are recharged by plugging the car into an electric outlet or charging station.
Q2. What electric car has the longest range?
A2. The Tesla Model S has the longest range of any electric car currently on the market, with a range of up to 370 miles on a single charge.
Q3. How electric car batteries are recycled?
A3. Electric car batteries are recycled by breaking them down into their component parts and then separating out the metals, plastics, and other materials for reuse. The metals are melted down and reused in new products, while the plastics and other materials are recycled into new products.