Sparking hope worldwide: A two-year global voyage dedicated to conservation, inspired by Darwin's pioneering work.
In the heart of the Atlantic, Tenerife's forests are grappling with environmental challenges starkly different from those observed by Charles Darwin nearly two centuries ago. Meanwhile, a historic vessel, the Oosterschelde, has completed a two-year around-the-world voyage, inspiring a new generation of conservationists.
The forests of Tenerife are currently under severe threat from extreme heat and high wildfire risk. Conditions not observed in the same intensity during Darwin's 1831 visit have led to intense heatwaves reaching around 36°C, resulting in forest fire alerts, access restrictions, and trail closures to protect remaining natural areas.
Hundreds of people waved and cheered as the Oosterschelde received a "water cannon salute" from fire service boats in Rotterdam, marking the end of its epic journey. Aboard the vessel were some of the world's best young conservationists and 100 scientists aged 18 to 25 years old. The voyage, inspired by Darwin's journey aboard the HMS Beagle, followed many of the same stops.
Science co-ordinator Rolf Schreuder admitted that habitat loss and climate change have significantly transformed the environment beyond what Darwin would have recognized. However, he found the mission inspiring, despite observing the natural world's degradation. Schreuder was inspired by the young scientists on board, who were full of ideas and determination.
Daan van Roosmalen, a crew member, set sail on the Oosterschelde at 17 and returned at 19 after completing a round-the-world voyage. Van Roosmalen hopes the voyage completed by young scientists and crew will inspire his generation to care for the planet. He believes that seeing the young conservationists putting effort into preserving the natural world would inspire more people to do the same.
Lotta Baten, one of the Darwin Leaders, conducted a study into the impact of tourism on forests in Tenerife, Spain, and found that only roughly 4% of the forest that Darwin would have seen is still alive today. Tourism has had a mixed impact on forest preservation: while it has driven economic growth and funded conservation efforts, the large influx of visitors also heightens fire risk through human activity. Consequently, authorities have imposed strict regulations to balance use and conservation.
Despite the challenges, the mission aimed to inspire a new generation with the message: "Conservation isn't about what we've lost, it's about protecting what we still have." Rolf Schreuder believes that Charles Darwin, the inspiration behind the mission, would be enthused by the young people taking care of the natural world. However, Lotta Baten noted that Darwin's legacy is divided due to his role as a European in colonial times, as he may have claimed to have discovered things that had already been discovered by the people of those places.
Schreuder ran over 100 local projects during the trip with people seeking to preserve landscapes. The voyage concluded with a ceremonious escort into Rotterdam by over a dozen vessels, including tall ships and steamships. As the Oosterschelde docked, it marked the end of an extraordinary journey that has left a lasting impact on those who sailed on it and those who watched it pass by.
- The young scientists aboard the Oosterschelde, who followed in Darwin's footsteps, are learning about the severe environmental changes, particularly climate change, impacting Tenerife's forests.
- As part of their mission, the Darwin Leaders, such as Lotta Baten, are educating and self-developing by conducting studies to understand the impact of human activity, including tourism, on the environment and conservation efforts.
