A Lagoon Worth Fighting For

In the late 1990s, a quiet lagoon on the Baja California peninsula became the centre of a global environmental battle. Laguna San Ignacio, one of the last pristine birthing grounds for the Eastern Pacific grey whale, was under threat from industrial development. A proposed saltworks project, backed by Mitsubishi and the Mexican government, aimed to transform part of this UNESCO-listed biosphere into a massive salt extraction facility.

Joining the Fight

I couldn't sit back and watch it happen. Like many others around the world, I joined the fight, not just in spirit, but in action. I wrote letters to both the U.S. and Mexican governments, calling for the protection of this vital ecosystem. I stood with conservationists, scientists, and local communities who understood that once this lagoon was industrialised, it would never be the same.

Why It Mattered

The protests were fierce but grounded in care. We weren't just opposing a project, we were defending a way of life, a rhythm of nature that had existed long before us. Grey whales return to Laguna San Ignacio each year to give birth and raise their calves in calm, shallow waters. To disrupt that cycle for profit would have been a tragedy.

A Win for Wilderness

Eventually, the pressure worked. The saltworks proposal was withdrawn, and the lagoon was spared. It was a win for whales, for wilderness, and for every person who believes that some places should remain untouched.

What It Taught Me

For me, it was also a turning point, a reminder that environmental advocacy isn't just about planting trees or picking up rubbish (though we do plenty of that too). It's about standing up, speaking out, and protecting what matters.

Voices That Echo

Laguna San Ignacio taught me that even the quietest voices can echo across borders when they speak with conviction. And I'll never forget what it felt like to be part of that chorus.