Carlos Mallo, a civil engineer turned environmental activist, started his journey after witnessing the detrimental effects of mass tourism on Tenerife's natural ecosystems. He founded the NGO Innoceana after realizing that the development of a road connected to a port threatened a unique marine environment. Recently awarded a Goldman Prize for his advocacy, Mallo highlights the conflict between tourism and ecological preservation, noting protests against mass tourism in the Canary Islands. He asserts that uncontrolled tourism significantly harms the islands' ecosystems, particularly in heavily tourist-driven areas.
"Tourism is certainly the main factor damaging the islands... Extensive, mass tourism like that found in the Canary Islands destroys ecosystems."
"I thought it was unique in the world and that they were building a road that would connect to a port, which would destroy that area... That was the beginning."
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