The work of meteorological observer Josep Pascual selected as one of the 100 best practices of Green Destinations

The work of the weather observer from L’ Estartit , Josep Pascual , has been selected by Green Destinations as one of the 100 best practices of 2023. Each year, the organization collects stories of sustainable tourism and good practices from destinations around the world. This year, Torroella de Montgrí – l’Estartit – Illes Medes presented Josep Pascual’s work under the title ‘Josep Pascual Massaguer, a key character in understanding the climate crisis’. The work of the weather observer from L’Estartit has attracted the attention of Green Destinations as an inspiring example for both the tourism sector and tourists.

A life dedicated to the sea

The son of fishermen, Pascual has been recording sea temperature data for more than 50 years, creating a database of incalculable value for the international scientific community and which has been recognized by NASA.

These records, which Pascual has been making voluntarily, highlight the effects of climate change in the Mediterranean with an increase in water temperature and also sea level.

The work of the meteorological observer has been crucial in making the population understand the effects of climate change and has contributed to promoting policies such as the regeneration of coastal dunes or the deurbanization of spaces on the seafront.

Beyond his data recording work, Pascual has had a very close relationship with the Tourist Office, helping to disseminate the environment and collaborating with various media outlets by sending them images that have allowed Torroella de Montgrí and l’Estartit to be positioned on the tourist map as a destination concerned with the environment. In fact, Pascual is a good example of the phrase that says ‘Think globally, act locally’

Internationally evaluated good practices

The inspiring practices and stories in the field of sustainability are evaluated by a committee made up of a hundred experts from different fields based on criteria and indicators related to the conservation of nature and heritage, waste management, energy use or climate analysis. The Councilor for Tourism, Dúnia Oliveras , highlighted that the work that Josep Pascual has been doing for so many years is “of incalculable value”. She added that “he, in a totally altruistic way, is giving us many hours of his life dedicated to the collection and sharing of essential data for the detection and understanding of this climate change that concerns us so much”. Oliveras stated that “from the Tourism Area, this recognition of him fills us with satisfaction”.

Torroella de Montgrí and l’Estartit had already been recognized

This is not the first year that Torroella de Montgrí and l’Estartit have been recognized for their good practices and stories in the field of sustainability. Without going any further, last year they received a similar mention for the program ‘The Natural Park at School’. An educational project promoted by the Natural Park of Montgrí, the Medes Islands and Baix Ter , in which around 3,000 students from 9 different educational centers in the area of ​​the Natural Park participated.

The objective was to ensure that children acquired the necessary tools to understand the Park’s immediate environment and become people capable of intervening actively and critically to conserve and improve it.

What is Green Destinations?

Green Destinations is an organization based in the Netherlands that works on the assessment, capacity building and certification of destinations and companies committed to sustainable tourism. It is made up of experts in sustainable tourism, consulting companies and non-profit organizations. It has a presence in 450 destinations in around sixty countries around the world. All recognized practices can be found on the Green Destinations website.