An immersive journalistic investigation exploring the transformative power of the smallest Canary Island. From its volcanic soul to its status as a global pioneer in renewable energy, this project deciphers the keys to a truly sustainable future.
After thirty years of professional storytelling and strategic communication, my journey to El Hierro began the exact moment I chose this island as the core of my Master’s Thesis for the School of Travel Journalism.This project marks my first physical encounter with the territory, yet the investigation started months prior, driven by the challenge of documenting a global benchmark in sustainability through a disruptive, immersive lens. It is more than an academic requirement; it is a journalistic chronicle of a living laboratory, aiming to provide a strategic blueprint for future resilient destinations.
Covadonga Riesco | Journalist & Researcher
Chronicles of the Meridian
Long before Greenwich became the global standard, the Orchilla Lighthouse stood as the "Zero Meridian". For centuries, Ptolemy's maps ended here. El Hierro was not just an island; it was the psychological and physical frontier of the explored world.
UNESCO designated the entire island as a Biosphere Reserve, recognizing a community that refused mass tourism. This milestone transformed El Hierro into a sanctuary of biodiversity, where the volcanic landscape became the engine for development.
The underwater eruption of the Tagoro volcano tested the island's fortitude. Rather than a disaster, the event became a symbol of geological rebirth, attracting global interest and reaffirming its status as a living laboratory.
With the inauguration of Gorona del Viento, El Hierro achieved a self-sufficient energy system based on wind and water. This feat proved that even the smallest territory can lead the way toward a carbon-free future.