The Councilor for Beaches of the Mijas City Council, Daniel Gómez, presented the initiative aimed at preventing skin cancer. It is a solar clock called ‘uvilisco’ that indicates the ultraviolet radiation levels we are exposed to according to the time of day and is installed on El Bombo beach.
The councilor explained that the initiative was created by the University of Malaga and is part of the ‘Soludable’ project, which aims to raise public awareness about the importance of photoprotection and avoiding excessive sun exposure.
The ‘uvilisco’ functions as a solar indicator that measures the shadow distance cast by a one-meter-high object onto a surface graduated in ultraviolet index (UVI) units, data determined daily by the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET). The shadow length varies throughout the day, being longest at the beginning and end of the day and shortest at noon.
“Mijas, especially its beaches, is a municipality committed to photoprotection as a way to care for the health of our residents and visitors. This solar clock is further proof of that commitment, and I hope it will be widely used to raise awareness of the dangers of excessive sun exposure,” stated Gómez.
Mijas also holds the Soludable-Blue Flag distinction, recognizing beaches that integrate real and verifiable measures for photoprotection, health, and sustainability, thus promoting a safer and healthier environment.
The ‘Soludable’ project, promoted by the Costa del Sol University Hospital for all of Andalusia, is an initiative for research, innovation, and health promotion focused on skin cancer prevention. Launched in 2020 with support from the Consejería de Salud y Familias of the Junta de Andalucía, it seeks to foster healthy sun exposure habits across various sectors through policies and practices in public institutions and private companies, establishing itself as a pioneering project and a national and European benchmark.
