Due to tourism, economic pressures such as illegal fishing, rapid population growth, and the introduction of exotic species, the Galapagos Islands, among the sole havens for natural evolution in the world, are facing an uncertain future. As part of an MIT course Solving Complex Problems (12.000 - Mission 2008), students are to address these issues and formulate a plan to protect the fragile ecosystem.
The three tasks at hand are:
- To develop a new preservation strategy for the Galapagos that builds on the current national plan for the Galapagos National Park and Galapagos Marine Reserve by designating the two as a "World Scientific Preserve" that would be managed by an international commission and funded by a multinational trust
- To design and deploy a network of environmental sensors to support a comprehensive program of ecosystem monitering on the islands and surrounding waters
- To design an idealized "village" for permanent residents and visitors that ensure the lowest possible impact on island ecosystems
My area of research is the how to fund our plan. There are many organizations offering monetary support. My job is to evaluate the larger donors and determine which will better fit our needs.
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