Looking Towards a Greener Europe

           This past spring semester, I studied abroad in Madrid, Spain. During my time spent abroad, I also had the opportunity to visit Ireland, Morocco, Croatia, and Italy. Throughout my travels, I’ve noticed different ways in which these countries have green energy or green activities. Some of these green ways are part of their cultures and have continued to this day but in a more modern form.

            One iconic image from Spain is of the windmills from the popular novel Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes. This novel was written in the 1600s, and is considered one of the most-read novels in the world, along with the Bible and Harry Potter. These windmills were used to grind grain. However, although this particular type of windmill is no longer in use, Spain has kept their iconic image, but in a more modern form through wind power created by massive wind turbines.

Venetian Gondolas, photographed by Angelise Musterer

Italy also has an iconic image that has been a part of its culture for centuries. If you couldn’t guess it, it’s the Venetian boats called gondolas. These rowing boats were used as the main form of transportation through the canals in Venice, Italy. Nowadays, they are more for show and for tourists.

            Ireland is known for being extremely green and rainy. When driving through the countryside, there are rolling green hills dotted with sheep and cattle. Ireland has what they call a “Green-School” program. These are also known as Eco-schools. The schools that are part of this program have an initial focus on the theme of litter and waste. These schools can also have other themes, such as energy and water.

            What I noticed most about Croatia was the walking. I mainly visited the Old City of Dubrovnik, and in this area there were no cars. People either walked to rode their bikes. The streets and allies were very narrow and were made of cobblestones. Here in Dubrovnik, there is a famous island named Lokrum. This island is completely covered in trees and foliage. There are very few buildings here, one of which is an old fort that over looks the island, Dubrovnik and the Adriatic Sea. The other main attraction of Lokrum is the old Benedictine abbey and monastery. In 1959, a Botanical Garden was founded on Lokrum where visitors can see endemic tropic and subtropical plants and other vegetation that are native to countries from Australia to South America. The last buildings include a tiny hut that serves food and drinks and a small museum.

            Morocco was a completely different experience than the other countries I’ve visited. However, it is still developing, and many place in Morocco are integrating approaches of sustainable development. Morocco and a few other countries like Croatia and Nepal, have been experimenting with harvesting fog to provide water to the communities. This collection of fog is not only sustainable, but is also necessary for parts of Morocco.