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1546
El Hierro’s portrait of the Virgin Mary comes to the island
The beloved portrait ( Virgin de los Reyes ) was brought to the island by the wind, which islanders prayed to in a drought years later, soon followed by torrential rains. This was seen as El Hierro’s most important religious and cultural event, and was the reason for their connection to wind and water. -
Plans begin for energy independence
This would make them the first energy-independent country in the world, meaning their energy comes only from renewable sources, a change from using diesel-powered generators. -
Initial plans to convert the whole island into a green energy lab are greenlit
The island utilizes a closed-loop system, using five windmills and two water reservoirs. Near-constant winds from the Ocean give islanders and water desalination plants power. Power that isn’t used pumps water into an inactive volcano crater to reserve for later use if needed. -
Repsol begins drilling in the Canary Islands
The Spanish Minister of Industry allows this, among concerns of oil spills causing detrimental effects to marine biodiversity, drinking water, tourism, and fishing industries. Even without a spill, the sound of drilling would make life for the waters’ species impossible to navigate, feed, and breed.
