Back in November 2021 we made an episode of The Change Troubleshooter called, A Solar Farm at What Cost? The episode was about a campaign against the construction of a proposed solar farm in the eastern Algarve area of Portugal.

In theory, a solar farm sounded like a great idea which was in line with our global necessity to switch to renewable energy solutions, and help the slowdown of catastrophic climate change.

Sometimes though, what sounds like the right thing to do can actually have unintended consquences for the land we are trying to protect through energy transition.

The problem in this instance was that the site of the proposed solar development would have contaminated an important water source. An untouched area of natural landscape, beneath which lies an aquifer - an ancient subterrannean system of pools and lakes that the local area relies on for its fresh water supply. Clearing the land of trees, vegetation and boulders for a solar farm would undoubtedly have had terrible consequences for the aquifer as well as the flora and fauna of the area which has remained untouched for millennia. If you didn't catch it back in 2021, we recommend you have a listen here before listening to this episode.

This new episode is a follow up to that story and is one of the most inspiring things you'll ever hear - Amanda, the local resident and activist tells Nina what heppened to that proposed solar farm.

Nina's guest, Amanda, is part of an environmental protection organisation called Probaal who campaign tirelessly against projects that, if approved and executed, can have terrible consequences for the areas and people who live in the communities.

As you will hear, Probaal's campaign was successful because specific reports were required to quantify the damage. These reports aren't done by anyone. Unbelievably we leave the importance of geological surveys and four seasons reports to the company whose interests lie in getting a positive outcome from the public consultation. This costs money. Nina and Amanda touch on the need for systematic change in this area, but today Probaal and other citizen led organisations rely on funding.

You can make a donation through their Go Fund Me page here.

Here are a couple of lovely videos that were used as part of the campaign which you might also find interesting.

Ruby's Rabbit

Water is life - how an aquifer works