If there is one thing we Spaniards know how to do well, it is balance our internal contradiction between loving nature and our unbridled passion for covering everything in asphalt. We like to boast about our beautiful beaches, imposing mountains, and national parks, but when push comes to shove and we have to choose between progress and preserving nature, we already know which option wins: concrete!
This chapter will explore how Spain has handled the environment over the years, always with that special touch of irony and self-criticism that defines us. From the past to the present, with a glance at the future, we will see how we have managed to become champions of environmental contradiction. Will we ever reconcile our apparent obsession with building with the need to protect what is left of our environment? Let us see.