In a recent post, I broached the topic of Yelapa’s
degree of environmental greenness/friendliness; using metrics most likely
established by those responsible for assailing the environment in the first
place. These included: recycling, energy efficiency and the protection of
native plants and animals. Not surprisingly, each of these three components has birthed a plethora of profitable industries. We now enjoy collection centers throughout
most towns; these are then serviced by massive garbage collection-type vehicles
which transport the various recyclables to some distant processing center. A
deluge of expensive, energy-efficient products pass into consumers’ hands. We
revel that a product is “more efficient” yet we lack any awareness about the
overall energy “footprint” associated with the raw materials, production
methodology, or subsequent transportation. We simply delight in displaying our
twenty speed blender which required a financial outlay approaching the hundred
dollar mark.
Yelapa’s electricity is provided by CFE (Comisión
Federal de Electricidad). The village has enjoyed commercial electricity for less
than fifteen years. Prior to that, business ventures (i.e. markets, a hotel,
restaurants, some lodges, and homes) met their needs via generators. Individual
generators are noisy, emit toxic exhaust, require repairs and periodic service
and need a close (stored) supply of fuel. Those without generators either used
kerosene lanterns or simply embraced the cycles of sunlight.
The Mexican government considers Yelapa an impoverished
zone. I am unaware what that determination entails. As a result, electricity is
provided to the village at a fifty percent discount. Rumors surface that this
benefit may be removed since Yelapa’s main industry is tourism, not fishing, and that just possibly
villagers are not as impoverished as earlier believed. The providing of deeply
discounted electrical power was an economic and logistical boon to the village.
It also removed the incentive to monitor overall energy costs. Previously these
included fuel, lubricant, parts, service, transportation and handling. Now all
you have to do is await your bi-monthly statement.
Nonetheless, Yelapans are frugal. Construction is
expensive due to material transportation costs. Sand/gravel, the single
exception to this, is extracted nearby from the Tuito River bed. Unlike American
domiciles, the number of electrical outlets and light fixtures are normally no
more than one or two per room. The only running appliance, excluding the odd
boom box or an oscillating fan, is a small
refrigerator. As of this writing there
is only one ductless air conditioning installation and less than a hand full of
portable/window units.
There is no centralized delivery system for natural
gas. Villagers satisfy this need via individual propane tanks. Once again, due
to transportation costs, propane is expensive. More lodging operators and homes
are installing on-demand water heaters
instead of the diminutive gas/electric
units. In addition to reducing consumption, this design also eliminates the
chance of an unnoticed, extinguished pilot since there is no ignition until a
demand is placed on the system.
A word about vehicles; Yelapa is home to perhaps thirty
motos (ATVs), a hand full of small displacement scooters and one electric golf
cart. There are no cars or trucks and never will be. All but one of these vehicles
are gasoline powered and produce toxic emissions. To some villagers, the growing
popularity is of concern. To their credit, many of the motos are used in the
service of hauling heavy goods (i.e. bottled water, ice, concrete, cinder
block, rebar, scrap, luggage), while others transport heavy adults and their
hefty children to/from school daily.
Pack animals are still employed to haul building
materials. A few use a mule for personal transportation. Most Yelapans walk
from point A to point B and back again as their forefathers/mothers did before
them. The old ways flex to accommodate the new ones which seem less flexible. As
of yet, those who return home to Yelapa have not declared that they “are strangers
in a strange place.” That is a good thing.
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