The concern for the environment and climate change in Lanzarote is, together with that of the inhabitants of El Hierro, the highest in the Archipelago. So much so, that nearly six out of ten Lanzarote residents say they are concerned about the climate situation.
However, the perception is that the concern of the Lanzarote residents is divided between those who perceive a sense of concern about problems related to the environment and climate change (41.6%), compared to the population that is "little to not at all" concerned (53%). This is reflected in the data from the Canary Islands Sociobarometer, prepared by the UNED during the month of November, where 410 Lanzarote residents were interviewed.
In this line, 59.4% of the citizens of the Island of Volcanoes stated that they were "very" or "quite" concerned about the situation. However, 28.5% of the Lanzarote residents testified to being "very or quite informed" about the ecosystem, compared to 49.7% who considered themselves to be "somewhat informed" or 21.1% who believed they were "not at all informed."
Through what means do Lanzarote residents get informed?
To learn about the climate change situation, most people get informed largely through television (51.3%), followed by social media (33.8%), the press or newspapers (31.7%), or through websites, forums, or blogs (31.6%).
Thus, three out of ten Lanzarote residents decide to nourish themselves with thematic films and documentaries, 28.4% through informal talks with friends or acquaintances, by radio (22.1%), and two out of ten through information provided by the administration.
Lanzarote residents are, along with the inhabitants of El Hierro again, the ones who continue to get informed the most through television.
How do they assess the environmental situation in the Canary Islands?
Lanzarote residents are the most optimistic about the environmental situation in the Canary Islands. In 43.9% of the responses, they have stated that it is "good or very good," compared to 34.1% of the regional average. Thus, 48.3% consider it to be "fair," and 4.7% consider it to be bad or very bad.
Of the 3,200 respondents, 61.3% stated that the particular situation of their island was "fair." The perception of the most environmentally damaged islands grows in the capital islands and in La Palma. However, in the case of Lanzarote, 45.7% considered that the reality is "fair," while 47.9% added that it was "good to very good."
What are the problems in Lanzarote?
The respondents reflected that the generation of waste, dumping in ravines, or problems in recycling (31.1%), along with air pollution (30.6%), drought, desertification, and problems in the water supply (22.2%) are the most noticeable difficulties in the Archipelago. They also alluded to problems in the sea and the coast, with pollution, deterioration, and dumping (16.7%).
Among other points, the Lanzarote respondents alluded to global warming (7%), citizen awareness (6.5%), uncontrolled construction and urban development (4.9%), depletion of natural resources (4.6%), and intensive tourism (3.9%), among others.
Regarding the problems that most affect Lanzarote, they stated that waste (32%), drought, desertification, and water supply (24.2%), along with air pollution (19.1%), as well as problems in the sea (17.5%), are the ones that most harm the seventh Canary Island.
Which ones do they perceive as very or quite important?
Nearly ten out of ten Lanzarote residents revealed that pollution and water scarcity, as well as air pollution or toxic waste (biological waste, batteries, oils) on the island are "very or quite" important problems. In 93.4% of the cases, they opined the same about garbage, waste, and dumping.
For seven out of ten islanders, population growth, urban illegalities, or the increase in immigration are relevant concerns. While for six out of ten, the growth of tourist beds on the coast or the creation of more industrial zones is. Meanwhile, half of the respondents revealed that the construction of more highways or roads is an important problem.
Personal actions against climate change
Eight out of ten residents on the island use low-energy light bulbs at home, have reduced energy consumption, others advocate for bringing their own bags when they go shopping, or try to save water at home.
Fewer are those who support zero-kilometer or locally sourced products (45.9%), buy plastic items, repair a product instead of buying a new one (39.2%), or buy second-hand products instead of new ones (34.3%).
Almost three out of ten Lanzarote residents continue to buy "always or quite often" single-use plastic items apart from plastic bags, while 13.2% have participated quite often in some protection activity such as cleaning a beach or a park. Finally, one out of ten residents stated that they had participated in a demonstration or attended a conference on environmental protection.
