Perhaps there are more development opportunities for the Azores in the area of more scientific research projects using the natural environment as a starting point. In any case, this also fits well with the mindset of the residents themselves.
Think of activities oriented around marine biodiversity. Especially with the new acknowledgements that conservation and protection of this area is vital. Here too there are already the necessary (private) initiatives.
Tidal and/or other forms of renewable energy generation where it makes use of its specific geographical and geological characteristics could still be interesting with advancing technological development. A test site has already been built on Pico for research on tidal energy. The findings with that project were not one-dimensionally positive. But sometimes even this knowledge building can be important to further develop insights in this area.
” The Azores itself could easily offer a formally recognized international school program from some summer months to a whole school year.”
In addition, several botanical gardens can already be found on the islands. A further development towards research in economic botany is obvious here. Precisely because of its unique characteristics, its isolated location and because it is one of the few places on earth where both trees and plants from the northern and southern half fronts can maintain themselves.
Furthermore, involving the younger generations in the natural environment of the Azores offers interesting development opportunities. There are already international schools visiting the islands in programs they usually combine with sea sailing.
The Azores itself could easily offer a formally recognized international school program from some summer months to a whole school year in which ordinary school skills are explicitly combined with biosphere activities both land and marine oriented, while sailing around in between. Another line of thought might be an international university master’s program.
