Why protecting the environment matters: what we do on our farm

Looking after the environment is a huge topic, and sometimes it feels as if what each of us does doesn’t count. We believe it does. Here we look at three big challenges, climate change, pollution and energy, and at what we do on our farm in Lanzarote to do our bit.

Climate change: trees that store carbon

Climate change is mainly caused by greenhouse gases, above all the carbon dioxide released when fossil fuels are burned. Trees help: through photosynthesis they absorb CO₂ and store the carbon in their wood, their roots and the soil.

There are hundreds of trees on the farm, many of them planted by the family. Among them are 8 Canary Island pines (Pinus canariensis), a native species that can grow over 40 metres tall and can resprout after a fire. We also have two Canary Island date palms (Phoenix canariensis), endemic to the archipelago, which have been with us for more than 20 years.

Pollution: air, water and soil

Air, water and soil pollution affects the health of every living thing. On the farm we try to reduce it like this:

• We use only solar power, with no fuel burned for electricity.
• We clean with non-toxic products and use no pesticides.
• We use no chemical fertilisers in the organic vegetable gardens.
• When we go to the beach, hiking or for a walk, we take a bag and pick up the litter we find, to leave the place better than it was and keep it out of the sea.

On CabanaLanz’s social media (Instagram and TikTok) we share what we do on the farm, in case it gives you ideas.

Energy: a farm that runs on sunshine

The farm is not connected to the electricity grid or to mains water. All the energy we use comes from solar panels, and our water is rainwater collected in a cistern (topped up by tanker when needed). This way we cut emissions and learn to use only what we need.

Every little bit counts

You don’t have to change everything at once. Switching off a light, planting a tree, picking up a can on the beach or choosing local products all add up. If you’re interested, here is why insects matter so much and how to protect them. We encourage you, within your means, to make the world a little better every day.

Frequently asked questions

Why is it important to protect the environment?

Because the air we breathe, our water, our food and the climate depend on it. Looking after it means looking after our health and that of future generations.

What does CabanaLanz do to look after the environment?

The farm runs 100% on solar power and rainwater, we use no pesticides or chemical fertilisers, we plant Canary Island species and we switch off almost all the lights at night. And it is home to hundreds of birds and Nana, our rescued donkey.