La Gomera: Land of Hope

La Gomera, a remote island in the Canary archipelago, rises from the sea, a shining example of hope in a changing world. We often speak of the unavoidable devastation of climate change and the disappearance of tradition in the modern age. La Gomera offers a tale hope against all odds: reflecting its volcanic origins, this tiny island is a powerhouse for change. Throughout history, the people of La Gomera summoned cultural pride to renew a community trampled by colonialism, revive their unique whistled language, and reinvigorate an ecosystem devastated by overuse. From whales that sequester carbon, to mandatory whistling-lessons in schools, to pole-vaulting down cliffs, this island anomaly offers boundless hope for a culturally and ecologically rich future, despite our changing planet. Designated a U.N. climate Hope Spot, La Gomera offers lessons for the larger world in building community to overcome global perils.