And this is where comparisons with other countries come in, because if there is something we Spaniards enjoy, it is comparing ourselves with everyone else—especially when we can justify why we do everything right, even though deep down we know we do not. While countries such as Germany or France have spent decades investing in reforestation, green energy, and sustainable mobility, in Spain we have preferred to invest in something much more solid: concrete.
Take the Nordic countries, for example. Sweden, Norway, and Finland are champions of protecting their forests and creating sustainable cities. Meanwhile, in Spain we have decided our specialty is building roundabouts. In fact, if there were a world prize for roundabout density per square kilometer, Spain would win it hands down. Every tiny crossroads deserves its own roundabout, preferably adorned with an incomprehensible sculpture, while trees and green spaces seem like unnecessary luxuries.
As for sustainable transport, well, cities such as Copenhagen or Amsterdam have spent decades promoting bicycles, and public transport is efficient and inexpensive. And in Spain? Yes, we have made some progress, but we are still obsessed with cars. Instead of reducing traffic in our cities, we have built more lanes and more parking lots, as though that would solve our pollution problems.
And then there is recycling. In countries such as Germany, recycling is practically a religion. They have efficient, clear systems for sorting waste, and citizens are well informed. In Spain, on the other hand, recycling is more of a leap of faith. We put out the colored bins, but we are never entirely sure whether we are throwing things in the right place. And, of course, the lack of monitoring and penalties means that everything often ends up mixed together again at the landfill.