They are three people. But the impact of their work is measured in protected ecosystems, transformed communities, and scientific data that change the way the Canary Islands look at the sea.
Three Awards, One Commitment
Three members of Latitud Azul have been recognized with the Change Makers award, one of the most prestigious recognitions for those driving social transformation in the Canary Islands:
Cristina Fernández and Arturo Boyra — Social Impact Economy
Cristina and Arturo lead Oceanográfica, a company recognized as the best example of the economy of the common good in the European Union. But their impact goes far beyond recognition: they are the drivers of initiatives that transform neighborhoods, coasts, and lives.
Their key projects:
- Green Neighborhoods: terrestrial custody, citizen participation, and reforestation
- Marine Microareas: marine custody and community participation on the coastline
- One Neighborhood, One Family: solidarity with disadvantaged people, migrants, and refugees
They also created the Association I Take Care of You, You Take Care of Me, which extends their vision of care beyond the environment.
Alicia Herrera Ulibarri — Research and Science
Alicia belongs to the Group of Ecophysiology of Marine Organisms (EOMAR) at the ECOAQUA University Institute of ULPGC. She is the principal investigator of the project that revealed impactful data:
- High concentration of microplastics in the Bay of El Confital facing Las Canteras
- Marine litter reaching the Canary Islands may have been floating up to 20 years
- In Alegranza, the proportion of plastics exceeds 97% of total waste collected
A Recognition of Coherence
This award does not recognize people who do one-off things. It recognizes those who have spent years building real alternatives: rigorous research, authentic community participation, and an economic model that proves it is possible to generate positive impact without destroying what sustains us.
To Cristina, Arturo, and Alicia: thank you for making visible that change is not only possible, it is already happening.
