In today’s newsletter we shall share with you some of the issues we consider important and of interest to our members and the public at large.

In October Gibraltar saw the arrival of a team of EU inspectors; here to review the border problems with Spain. Apart from the obvious lack of traffic that day which although predicted, was nevertheless frustrating, they also overlooked the longstanding cross border environmental problems we have fought for so long to place on the map. The ESG published our views on this during their visit and also distributed our paper directly to MEPs, and to the local and UK Govt. We therefore welcomed meeting the MEPs visiting Gibraltar shortly after the inspection. We would like to advise that this has reaped dividends for the Rock as our submissions to the MEPs have now been translated into direct questions to the European Parliament by Sir Watson and to official letters to the Commission by Ashley Fox. We await replies and are ever hopeful for action, but at least we know that cross border environmental issues such as those affecting Western Beach and the chronic industrial pollution from the major petrochemical installations in the Campo area are also getting heard in Brussels at a time when much else is heavily politicised. We are grateful to the support from our MEPs.

We found it astonishing that the Spanish authorities recently claimed to hold a clean bill of environmental health regarding the Campo area at the same time as alerts have been raised by Spanish NGOs as to how official monitoring standards of the industrial activity have lapsed due to financial cutbacks and how data is once again being provided by industry. This is a very serious matter which, supported by numerous articles and public statements, formed part of the submission we gave to the MEPs.

See the next article for a video link of a visit by Denny Larson of the Bucket Brigade Movement to the Rock ten years ago – his informed comments describe a toxic chemical industry that has wide reaching impacts, and while the smoky emissions may have improved, we cannot allow the relaxing of standards on the less visible but equally harmful poisons crossing the fence line.

On another matter, and closer to home, is the recent discussion at the Development and Planning Commission on the Sullage Tanks application and the need for an Environmental Impact Assessment. As we have urged for this assessment to be carried out, we welcome the fact that Minister Garcia, has now ruled that an EIA is necessary.

Also at DPC this week was an application by another company for an underground fuel pipeline in the Port area. While deferred for future consideration this nevertheless raises questions. For instance: Past and present governments have confirmed their long-term interest in bringing fuel supplies onshore – where does this application fit in with that? Also the area concerned is rapidly becoming congested- with the new power station, lubricant oil farms, floating recreational parks, desalination water intakes all in the mix as well as day to day port activities. The ESG is formally approaching Government and the Port Authority for sight of a holistic plan of the area as this will be a critical tool in determining whether all proposed and existing activity can co-exist safely. This area now sees thousands of residents living alongside who could be adversely affected by any serious environmental impact resulting from poor planning decisions.

ESG to meet with MEP Ashley Fox on the 28th October 2013

“The ESG is to meet with Conservative MEP Ashley Fox during his visit to Gibraltar next week. The group’s legal adviser, David Dumas QC from Hassan’s International Law Firm, will also be present at the meeting.They will brief Mr. Fox and bring him up to date on the current environmental situation in the Bay so he can address these important issues more effectively in Brussels on our behalf.

These meetings follow on from a paper published recently by the ESG and forwarded to Gibraltar’s MEPs. The paper focuses on the marginalisation of major environmental issues in the Bay due to political tensions.

The worsening situation at Western Beach will be discussed as will concerns of weaker monitoring by Spanish authorities of the large chemical installations and Oil Refinery located in the Campo area due to the economic crisis in Spain.

An example of the severity of the problem is a 2012 report commissioned by the Spanish authorities and recently published in the press by Spanish Env NGO’s. It confirmed that nickel levels found by air monitoring systems were among the highest in Andalucía and were linked to Acerinox, a steel processing plant, located in the Bay. This is just another reminder of the threat to health and the environment posed by these large chemical industries that need to be monitored very rigorously. A spokesperson for the ESG added that “The impact of such toxic pollution is far reaching and must be dealt with at European level.”

ESG Paper referred to in PR can be found here:-

http://www.esg-gib.net/statement-published-on-regional-environmental-concerns-during-eu-inspectors-visit-to-the-bay/

The ESG has received reports these past few days about persistent heavy air pollution in the area of Waterport Terraces over the weekend. Rotten egg, or sulphur smells were also affecting the south district late last night, with further reports received today that residents near the port area were similarly affected at the same time.

The ESG has contacted the relevant agencies and Ministry for the Environment to report this matter and to ask for an investigation as to the actual cause/offender. We have been largely spared this type of widespread nauseating air pollution for some time now and do not want to see a resurgence of such pollution on the Rock. The group asks Government to explain what is causing this unacceptable recent pollution and to ensure it is swiftly brought under control. The group asks that the public do not suffer in silence and continue sending in reports to the relevant authorities and to copy these to the ESG

ESG Press Release

10th October 2013

The ESG confirms it will be holding a meeting with MEP Sir Graham Watson on Friday morning during his visit to Gibraltar. The group’s legal advisor, David Dumas QC, will also be present at this meeting.

The meeting will review issues raised in a paper recently published by the ESG during the visit to the area by EU inspectors. In it the group decries the lack of meaningful focus by all agencies on the critical and regional environmental issues affecting the health of all bay citizens and the living environment.

Issues such as: sewage pollution; long-term emissions from the CEPSA Oil Refinery; lack of adequate monitoring of major, chemical installations in the Bay, and other matters.

The group hopes to enlist the help of the MEP to remind the European Commission of the outstanding and unresolved environmental issues the ESG has presented to them in the form of complaints and petitions over the past few years; especially important given the present spotlight on Gibraltar and the Campo area due to border queues and other issues.

Letter of thanks to all participants in 2013 Clean up the World

As organisers of Clean up the World locally we would like to thank the community for once again rising up to the challenge of cleaning up Gibraltar! A strong cross section of our community got behind the hands on action sending a powerful message that many care and want to protect this great environment we live in. This public, widespread action also serves to raise awareness of the serious littering issues we continue to have and the need to tackle these together.
It is impossible to thank everyone personally but this public letter is intended to offer an acknowledgement of the efforts made by those involved, especially to team leaders and school representatives.

Thanks to:-

CUTW Volunteer teams:Royal Gibraltar Police Marine, Officers and Recruits, Art in Movement, Department of the Environment, St John’s Cadets, Environmental Agency, Rotary International, Fiduciary Management Ltd, Gibraltar Sub Aqua Club, Royal Gibraltar Police Divers, Simply Diving, Cocoon Renewable Energy Consultants, Museum Cave Section, GONHS, Bayside School, Lucas Family, Scouts 1, Scouts 2, Youth Clubs (Laguna and Dolphin), Master Services, GSLP Youth, Girl Guides 1, Girl Guides 2, ESG/Alameda Tenants Association, Round Table, GSD, Lloyds Bank, Wake up Gibraltar, Charlie’s Team, Westside School

Logistical & Equipment Support:
ESG, Eco Art, Wildlife Gibraltar, Bassadone Motors, Master Services (transport), Master Services (abseiling team), Gibraltar General Support Services Ltd (for skips and trucks), St John’s Ambulance (First Aid Cover), Heritage Trust, Morrisons, GibDock (Crane support), GDP, RGP Marine, All Diving teams, RGP Traffic and Community Police.
Also special thanks to volunteers who come together in the critical moments to help organise equipment.

Rubbish collectors deserve special thanks as they work on throughout the day long after the volunteers have hung up their pickers: Tom Scott, Steven Barea, Jim Howitt, Andrew Abrines. Support from Master Services, Gibraltar General Support Services Ltd, Environmental Agency, GibDock and also to the three waste holding areas for allowing the Clean up waste to be managed at each site during a short period of time. (GGSS, Old Incinerator site and Transfer Station (managed by Monteverde)

Parade and Square:
Schools: St. Bernard’s First, Sacred Heart Middle, Bishop Fitzgerald Middle, St. Joseph’s Middle, Loreto, St. Anne’s, Bayside and Westside and families. Children and parents from St. Joseph’s First, several CUTW teams.

Art in Movement and Danza Academy
Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Garcia and Ministers Dr Cortes and Mr Linares who were present to lend their support on the day.

Sponsors: As a voluntary campaign it is vital to be supported with financial donations and we are very grateful to the Open Day Trust and to Isolas for their support

Thanks to the local media for their support in spreading awareness of this important campaign, in particular to the Gibraltar Chronicle and GBC
To those not mentioned above but whose assistance made the clean up run smoothly, we extend our thanks.

Sincerely,
Janet Howitt for the ESG Committee
Organisers of the 9th Clean up the World Campaign in Gibraltar

ESG CONCERNED ABOUT ONGOING REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IGNORED DURING POLITICAL UNREST

“The ESG is concerned that the ongoing political situation is seriously affecting agencies and governments ability to effectively address critical environmental issues which have a regional bearing and which are currently getting very little airplay.

Throughout the summer our group has highlighted the ongoing sewage contamination at Western Beach which has threatened public health and is widely known to be caused by a storm drainpipe illegally discharging raw sewage from la Linea. And still nothing is done about this at an official, legal or European level. Instead we have witnessed complete silence on the part of La Linea’s municipality on this and our Government taking steps to attract bathers to this contaminated area.

These past few weeks has also seen sewage and chemical pollution affecting several spanish coastal areas only brought to the publics notice by NGO’s from the Spanish side.These relate to Spanish sewage discharges into Bay waters from Algeciras through to Palmones and highlights sewage management is a critical issue for spanish citizens.

The latest reminder of the intense air and water pollution from the industrial and chemical installations in the Campo area came in the form of a 2012 report (commissioned by the spanish authorities) that nickel levels found by air monitoring systems were among the highest in Andalucia and was linked to Acerinox, a steel processing plant located in the Bay. Given the report is an official paper its possible that the levels admitted are conservative and could conceivably be worse. This is not a surprise to the ESG. There have been copious reports over the years emanating from Spain on the Bay’s air and water quality which have generally confirmed the pollution caused by the chemical industries. The problem is enforcement of regulations and this requires agency action.

The ESG has learnt from cross border environmental colleagues that another key worry is how the spanish economic crisis has further weakened the official agencies ability to monitor industrial activity. This is a very grave situation as major chemical installations such as those located in the hinterland need strict and independent
evaluation and monitoring because any slip in standards or shortcuts in safety practices can have dire consequences for the health of all Bay communities as well as the living environment. Sustained chemical discharge into air and water systems will naturally enter the food chain and hence affect our health. Monitoring of industry standards is obviously a critical matter which should come under the microscope of any EU Inspection team worth its salt.

Although being stuck for hours in hot vehicles and delays at the border are clearly very unpleasant, the longterm environmental problems in the region are a real health concern.

Throughout our campaigns particularly on the CEPSA Oil Refinery and petrochemical industry which is massive and has expanded exponentially in the past two decades, we have tried to get our voices heard, at cross border level, over the genuine fears, supported by a growing number of health studies, that such industries could be causing higher than average mortality and disease in the bay area. MEP Neil Parish organised for a party from Gibraltar including the ESG, a global public health expert from Barcelona, a top legal adviser, and a global industry activist, to take our health and environmental issues to the heart of Brussels. They heard but did not act. Mr Parish urged the Commission to visit the area, see the installations for themselves, ageing infrastructure/proximity to schools, nurseries and residential areas – in complete defiance, in fact, of most health and safety regulations. But they did not come. We persevered with the support of our technical and legal advisers, cross border petitions, and more recently via the support of MEP Sir Graham Watson. Some progress has been made but it has taken much longer than it should. Our industry expert compared our Refinery problem as a “slow Bhopal”. Global Community Monitor, Denny Larson produced a detailed report for Mr Parish who pressed these directly into the hands of those officials in Brussels whose job it is to ensure that environmental standards and regulations are being met. And still the inspectors did not come.

We therefore wish to publicly request the team of inspectors heading to Gibraltar to give us an audience so that we can directly appraise them of the regional longstanding environmental issues which affect all Bay citizens health and wellbeing and that will prevail unless serious action is taken – long after the politcal troubles have faded into the background. We shall remind them of the 14,000 strong cross border petition calling for help from the European Commission to see independently commissioned epidemiological studies done at a cross border level to assess the full impacts of the toxic chemical industry that many of us are living next to and undeniably affected by.

Please refer to the ESG’s website at : www.esg-gib.net for more information on the groups regional environmental campaigns in Brussels.”

CUTW 2013 summary.

Saturday morning saw a carnival like Parade launch Clean up the World. The weekend clean up got off to a very bright, loud and energised start. The Parade was supported by local schools, clubs, associations and Govt Ministers. Art in Movement led the walkers with rthymic drumming which attracted much attention. Many school children had created signs and banners made from recycled materials especially for the Parade and bright, important messages about protecting the environment were on display and shouted out by the pupils. Once at the Square and after a few words were spoken by organisers and the Minister for the Environment the crowd was entertained by fabulous dance displays by Art in Movement and Danza Academy. Thanks to all who made this extraordinarily special.

Meanwhile over 400 volunteers transformed several parts of Gibraltar leaving these pristine clean, well, for a short while at least. General litter as well as contractors materials from slopes, underwater sites and green areas was collected in the space of a few hours. Our symbolic mountain at the main dump was this time distrbuted to three separate centres. Around 40 trucks and 6 skips were used. A large site, Seven Sisters, will be collected sometime this week. The ESG will follow up various issues with Government, the Ministry and related agencies at the upcoming Litter Committee meetings where this years lessons will be tabled for further action.

The dive clean up was very efficient this year with record number divers turning up supported by land based teams which made the removal of water based rubbish a little easier. A scorching sun however, made the final clear up at this site quite a challenge when teams had to bring up the waste to the top of a very steep slope at Rosia Bay. Abseilers tackled otherwise inaccessible sites also supported by other teams and the Seven Sisters, also only accessible by boat, witnessed a major clear out of rubbish. This site will be cleared later on this week. Town sites that proved shockingly diffficult to clean were Hargraves pitch – and an untouchable site identified during the 2013 campaign was the Police Barracks which is in a critical condition and needs urgent attention.

We began the Clean up in Gibraltar as an awareness raising and educational campaign that also seeks to keep the agenda moving forward to bring about positive lasting changes in Gibraltar’s physical environment. We did this again this year -as a community, with multi-level support, and a great feeling of camaraderie.
Looking ahead we shall be publishing a series of photographs of all the teams and support network – as well as a detailed report with a compilation of issues identified by volunteers and recommendations for solutions to some of the recurring problems.

Thanks to everyone involved. Together we CAN make a difference!
kind regards
J Howitt

The ESG is very pleased to announce that this year’s plans for Clean up the World 2013 are now underway. In what is the 9th year of Gibraltar’s participation, we can confirm the widespread interest and support for this community campaign is as strong as ever. Over twenty team leaders attended a major planning meeting this week. A report was delivered by ESG’s Janet Howitt on last year’s Clean Up recognising the great voluntary effort and the many gains achieved in the past year.

Among these are:
• Improved recycling streams and facilities
• Schools and Government departments leading the way by recycling as policy
• Year round efforts at tackling litter and waste issues are being heard and acted upon by the Litter Committee
• Efforts underway via Litter Committee to encourage businesses and clubs to increase recycling
• Cleaning of CUTW hotspots and other areas are now carried out more frequently
• Initiative to deliver information on litter and waste to every single household and business in Gibraltar was achieved via a Litter Leaflet – this was a collaboration between ESG/Litter Committee/AquaGib and the Ministry for the Environment

There are a number of issues still pending that the Clean Up, as a Campaign, will set out to highlight and promote this year. Among these is the need for fines and enforcement and dedicated Litter Wardens. Facilities must be improved and an Eco Park set up without delay. Tobacco smuggling related rubbish is a growing problem that needs to be tackled.

In spite of year on year clean ups, wanton littering is still seen in many of our natural environments, and this presents a threat to all life forms as well as being an eyesore. In spite of increased, sustained action by various agencies, and while improvements have been noted, it’s clear we still have a problem.

Volunteers will be tackling several green areas, coastal sites and underwater clean ups. Organisers believe it is vital to continue to promote the need for civic pride and responsibility.

If you would like to take part please contact 54960000 or leave a message at 200-48996, or email esg@gibtelecom.net to register for the Clean up, as an individual or a team. We are currently assigning teams to sites so this is a good time to get in touch.

The Clean up Date is the 21st September and we expect the day to kick off with a lively parade in the heart of town as from 10.30am- Casemates. More details will be published soon.

Today is significant on many fronts. Speaking as a global citizen it’s especially important to consider the impact we are having on the planet and consequently how this will affect not so distant future generations. Two issues are currently in the news that are important to mention: Insofar as global resources, we continue to undermine nature’s ability to renew herself and absorb the filth and waste we constantly throw at her. According to Global Footprint Network, the world has already reached “earth overshoot day” in 2013, explaining how we are tipping the balance in terms of resource use and the planets ability to replenish and absorb waste. With a rapidly rising global population, it’s hard to see how this balance will improve and will likely worsen with the ensuing economic and social upheaval this will create. Only then shall we realise the folly of our ways and how we should have taken better care in living more sustainably. Look at news on fracking.

If you go to guardian.com you will find a range of articles and comment on the technical aspects of this technology as exploratory works are underway in the UK. You will also hear about protests which include both residents and national protesters as fracking will have both local and global impact. While you hear a lot about securing power source as the key argument for fracking, there is silence on the CO2 emissions this will produce. While many Governments behave as though renewable energy is unable to deliver today’s energy needs, there remains much that can be done to process our waste into energy, such as biogas from farm waste and sewage, or converting other waste into different forms of useable energy –as well as harnessing all forms of renewable energy. This requires political will on a major scale to develop necessary financial and legal tools to increase the pace at which these ultimately, cleaner technologies, can start replacing fossil fuel as the seemingly first natural choice.

On a day that we hear about how we are already borrowing resources from our children’s future, its critical that choices made today reflect the need to increase efficiency and sustainability.

Closer to home and because this will be the last newsletter before the main CUTW planning meeting I would like to remind those of you keen to participate in this years clean up to please get in touch as soon as possible. We are busy taking calls and emails and have a healthy list of teams already. You are welcome to sign up as a volunteer as additional teams are formed closer to the day, but not on the day. It is important for all team leaders to attend on the 3rd September at 7pm at the John Mack Hall, Charles Hunt Room. Please call 54960000 and/or email esg@gibtelecom.net. Clean up the World will take place on the 21st September.

Another issue is Western Beach – we continue to advise against bathing there –visit environmental-agency.gi and check the data for yourself on the site for Western Beach. Compare it to other beaches and you will see a glaring difference in contamination levels at Western Beach compared to all our other beaches. We do not understand how Government has chosen to introduce a water play park there. We shall be issuing a press release soon as we follow up our complaint lodged at the European Commission.

Finally, another one for your diary – a reminder that the next planning meeting takes place on the 5th September. Look out for the agenda that should be published online a week beforehand as we understand there could be interesting projects to be considered.
Thanks for listening.

Radio Broadcast 8th August 2013

• We wanted to say first of all that we have been running our membership renewal programme these past few weeks and would like to thank all members who have responded to date; also for the messages of encouragement and support for the work we do towards improving our local environment. With the changes in funding we are currently experiencing we need community support more than ever and invite you to please contact us and join up by emailing: esg@gibtelecom.net and you will be sent details. All donations gratefully received.

• We shall later today be issuing a press statement on Western Beach, closed this week by the police due to high levels of sewage contamination – to our knowledge no official statement has yet been made, and no details as to what is planned for this beach are known. What is clear is that very high levels of sewage contamination picked up by the agency’s sampling on Monday, were realised on Tuesday and led to the order given for police assistance to close the beach. What a situation this has developed into! Keep the beach closed until its safe – that’s our view.

• An analysis of water quality on the Environmental Agency website shows Western beach 2013 is presenting a much darker picture than for the same period in 2012. Of 15 sample days in July 2013, two thirds failed guide levels, with one failing mandatory. In July 2012, of the 9 sampling days, only one failed guide levels, with none failing mandatory.

In a matter of weeks, this summer we have seen Western Beach close twice. Instead of keeping the beach closed however, Government has chosen to increase beach use and the sense of security of use by introducing an Aqua Park feature!!. We do not understand their position and are approaching Govt directly on this. The ESG and fellow campaigners will also be following up their complaint lodged with the European Commission.

• Another discussion this week has focused on artificial reefs. The ESG has been contacted by a number of international media bodies for comment and interview. We have strived to steer conversation towards the environment and the wider bay issues and shall continue to do so as best we can.

• Only yesterday we rec’d calls and reports from both sides of the border regarding the heavy flaring at the CEPSA Oil Refinery. This highlights the importance of working together as Bay citizens for a clean environment as politics clearly defines borders, but we all breathe the same air! Given the Oil Refinery is under new ownership and the episodes of heavy flaring and other pollution becoming more frequent, the ESG is looking into lodging a fresh complaint with the European Commission. More news on this soon.

• For those of you with an interest in planning and development issues in Gibraltar, make a note in your diary that the next DPC meeting has been brought forward will now take place on the 5th September – likely to be at 9.30am though this will be confirmed closer to the time.

• Under the CUTW banner we also ask you to please send in details of any litter hotspot areas that could receive a good clean up during this year’s campaign held on the 21st September. Remember you can also sign up to volunteer simply by emailing esg@gibtelecom.net or calling 54960000. Check our website esg-gib.net for more details and where you can download this year’s poster. Thanks for listening.