ESG Radio Newsletter 3^rd November 2022

With COP27 launching in Egypt next weekend it really does seem only weeks since the last and much heralded COP26 took place in Glasgow. Then, much fanfare was made of the commitments from world leaders to meaningfully reduce their countries carbon emissions. The British Government had also published an Environment Bill, or Act, just ahead of COP26, setting out enforceable targets to be met by COP27 – the aim was for one target to be set in each priority area per year, which were:  Air, Water, Biodiversity and Waste Reduction. In the past few days the UK Government released a statement on how they were not able to meet this first deadline, not blaming Brexit, or politics, Ukraine or the energy crisis – instead, they blamed the massive public feedback received to the original Environment Bill consultation rounds, as reasons why no targets had been reached? This is quite bizarre.

Sadly the robust front delivered by, yes, Boris Johnson, and his colleague and President of COP26, Alok Sharma, last year in Glasgow, has got lost amidst the goings on in the UK parliament, together with the economy, energy, inflation, etc. With the new Prime Minister finally agreeing to attend the Egypt COP27 after all, let us hope he returns inspired and focused to back the plans already in place to push UK towards a greener future. It’s critical that he will do that.

Looking closer to home we know our Climate Strategy, published during last years COP, has helped foster some traction within Govt circles to prepare for targets to be met here in Gibraltar. However we do not know exactly what will be met within targets, what will be delayed, or by how long. As with the UK we think the Gibraltar Government should explain and inform the community of the efforts they are making towards significantly reducing our carbon emissions, of course, including from shipping and foreign vehicle fuel sales. These measures will also improve our physical environment and make Gibraltar a better and healthier place to live.

We understand that humans are living in a time of contradiction and that we have to balance growth with the ability of our planet to maintain a stable environment. It fills many of us with dismay as we see the energy crisis unfold leading to the reversal of critical policies. These changes, however, will last a long time and lead us into ever more extreme climate behaviour just at a time when we know there is a limited time to cut our emissions.

Let’s start talking/shouting/sharing thoughts and concerns about climate change  – it is an emergency – lets hear from our political leaders too with their thoughts on such a BIG issue of the day!!

COP27 6^th to the 18^th November

ESG Radio Broadcast 13^th October 2022  

Key topics:  Follow up activity post Clean up/ Seven Sisters and ongoing oil concerns/ / Development & Planning Meeting / Climate Change and need for far greater prominence

Hi! There is much to cover today in a short space of time so here goes!!

Many of you will remember the inspiring and energised Clean up which took place less than a month ago. A real shake up as always:  a focus on hotspots, forgotten areas, right in your face areas and much more. The Gibraltar wide action involving volunteers of all ages – with many schools involved – encourages civic pride and raises awareness on the importance of looking after your home town and natural environment. It’s a fantastic initiative the ESG has been proud to coordinate for 18 years to date. We now continue with post action reports, lobbying for improvements, presentations, discussions and more.

Of course the clean up efforts did not end with the main event on the Saturday. Just a week after the clean up at Seven Sisters, we again organised some volunteers to help with the heavy oil pollution, which landed on this special shoreline – a thriving marine reserve. A shattering experience for nature lovers, given the impact this tarry substance has on the living environment. So began an intense and urgent battle to rescue the reserve from the shocking pollution to leak from the stricken vessel OS 35. This Saturday marks 3 weeks and work continues.

Once again we must thank our volunteers who have been on standby from the start and have actively responded on 3 occasions to help the Dept of the Env and GJBS who daily tackle this contamination. It is no picnic and we thank those working round the clock to free Seven Sisters of the oil as quickly as possible.

The ESG welcomes the details publicly provided by the Captain of the Port on the plans for the complete removal of OS 35 – something we also asked for publicly. Like others we remain concerned however about the wrecks stability during the harsher winter months and any remaining oil on board which could still threaten our marine environment – we continue to be on standby should our volunteers be needed.

A reminder that the DPC meet next Thursday 20^th of October to discuss another round of planning applications. You can access live streaming of the meeting by going to : Town Planning Website and clicking on  DPC meetings.

Next time we look at Climate Change and Gibraltar’s Strategy and the need for far greater prominence of this critical objective.

Go to website: esg-gib.net   for more info on other issues.

Thanks for listening.

Check out Chronicle link which carries pics of all teams and supporters:-

Close to 500 volunteers ‘Clean Up the World’ in Gibraltar

The ESG thanks all volunteers, logistics support, sponsors and our key steering team for a successful and effective Clean up the World 2022.  The energy and determination displayed by volunteers during their Gibraltar-wide action was truly inspiring. Harmful waste was removed, issues were highlighted and lessons learnt with efforts now underway to ensure these are put to good use.

Thanks go to:

888.com

Backing the Planet

Bassadone

Bayside School

Bishop Fitzgerald School

Britannia Abseiling & Crane team

Department of the Environment

Dolphin Youth Club

ESG

For the Love of Cats

Gibraltar College

Gibraltar Heritage Trust

Lazer Tag

Laguna & Glacis Youth Clubs

Laguna Tenants Association

Martinez & Friends

MH Bland

Morrison’s

Muscat & Friends

Scouts 3^rd Europa Cubs

Prior Park

PWC

Rotary International Club

J Safra Sarasin

St Anne’s School

St Joseph’s School

The Nautilus Project

University of Gibraltar

Westside School

Youth Service

Additional logistic support from :

CUTW Base team

ESG Truck support

Britannia Truck support

Toyota Gibraltar/Bassadone vehicles supply.

Monteverde Waste Transfer Team

Imossi Boat team

Dept of the Environment

Gibraltar Government

GibDock

Sponsors:

Thanks to the Turicum Private Bank, The Open Day Trust, 888.com and Bassadone for donations towards the campaign and to Britannia for a supply of bags.

Thanks to our community once again for giving the campaign the oxygen it needs to keep it alive every year!

Sincerely,

ESG

Mere days after our volunteers for Clean up the World removed large amounts of plastics and other non-organic waste from Seven Sisters shoreline its southern section got plastered in thick tarry oil from OS 35. This is very bad news for the area, which is a thriving ecosystem and Marine Reserve. It’s an area where fishing is forbidden and many can enjoy the rich marine life present via the Thinking Green underwater camera situated here.

While warnings had been issued regarding the potential for such pollution from the OS 35 to still occur, it was nevertheless shocking to witness Seven Sisters heavily tarred in this way.

The Department for the Environment has set up cleaning operations at the site with NGOs ESG and The Nautilus Project assisting with initial action. Garbed up, the enormity of the task was soon evident, as the thick, black oil on the rocky southern shore was very time consuming to remove and labour intensive. Mopping up with pads was the method advised. The clean up started.

It was very sad to see the impacts on the species that live in this intertidal zone with volunteers coming across many affected by the oil. ESG understands that a survey is underway by the department.

The ESG spokesperson said, “We have coordinated annual clean ups here since 2008 clearing historic fly tipping to annual removal of plastics and other waste that arrives by sea. “It’s a difficult area to access and the campaign has made the project possible with support and goodwill from various agencies and individuals. We are proud of the impact we have made to help keep this special area free from harmful waste. We were informed that our clean up last week enabled the current situation to focus on the oil without having first to remove what could have been sack-loads of oil contaminated plastics and other waste.” 

“However, this oil spill,” they add, “ is shocking, unprecedented in our experience, and way beyond our abilities.  It’s critical that all resources are provided to the frontline teams to remove the damaging oil from this special area, rich in marine life as fast as possible. A final toll of true impacts to the environment should be published. We just hope that no more leaks of this type will recur. It is imperative that the final stages in salvaging the vessel is within sight and that we see an end to the continuous pollution.”

Contractors are now based at Seven Sisters hoping to make a difference and the Department of the Environment are monitoring the clean up process.

The ESG and other NGOs will continue to help as much as possible regarding volunteers and providing other support.

The ESG wishes to thank ALL volunteers, team leaders, partners and sponsors for another energetic and successful Clean Up in Gibraltar. Civic Pride was shining loud and clear with schools, clubs, the young and not so young, shoulder to shoulder , eliminating harmful waste from many natural environments. Close to 500 volunteers helped remove 13 truckloads of waste from 20 plus sites. (see image attached) The ESG would like to give a special mention to the Base Team who look after team equipment and saw to everyone’s needs. A lot of hard work done there too!

Highlights include waste craned up from Seven Sisters; a few heritage sites, upper rock sites, beaches, various revetments, and more.

Hotspots of particular concern include open areas being used by commercial entities which also serve as public spaces and are poorly monitored, serviced and managed and end up becoming dangerous environments.

Reports, with feedback from team leaders, will now be compiled and the ESG will step up its campaign to see more action taken to address these hotspots and ensure our green spaces and coastal areas are better protected. We want to see greater efforts in deterrence and prevention and action taken on the lessons learnt after this Gibraltar wide clean up. Well done to all !

CLICK ON LINK BELOW FOR PICS OF TEAMS ALONG WITH ESG PR ROUNDUP

Close to 500 volunteers ‘Clean Up the World’ in Gibraltar

CUTW 2022 will launch this Saturday morning together with 100s of countries and millions of volunteers around the world where citizens, NGOs and communities will be making efforts to help their environment. This demonstration of civic pride has proven to energise these issues locally in the past, as well as deliver immediate positive results. In this, our 19^th year, we value the response from our community in support of this campaign. Its clear people care about their environment.

 A busy Team leader meeting was held last week where planning and discussion of sites took place. Over 30 teams and 500+ volunteers will target sites throughout our homeland tackling out of the way green areas, underwater, coastal, and urban sites.

The prospect of further oil spills has led to a decision to postpone the Rosia Dive Clean up for now and will be rescheduled for a few weeks time.

The campaign will once again highlight the need for|:-

• more regular and thorough attention to be given to habitats and hotspots, especially during the summer months when the whole town is outdoors for much of the day and tourism numbers spike
• the need for visible application of fines and enforcement of our dumping and littering rules to serve as a real deterrent
• for increased and improved facilities and more signage to be displayed to promote pride in our environment (info for residents/ rubble tipping/ rubbish in hotspots)
• stricter monitoring of shared public spaces used by businesses and the community often leading to dangerous conditions and creating

The ESG is sent reports by members year round also concerned about the need to elevate our profile as a tourist destination. From entry points to Gibraltar, to key roads visible by all visitors, to keeping roads and pavements clean. However we all, as a community, have a role to play in this. The Clean up will highlight these issues via our hands on action as well as by lodging reports and pressing for more to be done.

A big thanks to all volunteers who have stepped up to help and to our sponsors for enabling the campaign to move forward every year. A 2022 Clean up Report will follow in the media.

We thank:-  Turicum Private Bank –   GBC Open Day Trust –   Bassadone Automotive Group –  888.com for their donations &  the Gibraltar Government for support given over the years

Today’s newsletter focuses on our participation in, and Gibraltar’s support of, the global environmental campaign Clean up the World. Together with 100s of countries and millions of volunteers around the world, Saturday 17^th will see extraordinary efforts made by citizens of all ages and backgrounds, as they take action to help their local environment.. This demonstration of civic pride has proved to energise these issues locally in the past, as well as deliver immediate positive results. In this, our 19^th year, we value the response from our community in support of this campaign. It is clear that many people do care about their environment though some clearly don’t appear to. We expect around 500 volunteers to target sites throughout Gibraltar, tackling out -of -the way green areas, coastal and some urban sites.

Of course many of the issues faced by the campaign are chronic and not solvable in a day of action. But highlighting these issues in a manner that also demonstrates civic pride is a golden opportunity that the ESG has backed for the past 19 years.  Unfortunately, this year, we shall see the absence of many of the services and departments which usually support us, due to the ongoing and worrying situation regarding OS 35, the stricken vessel grounded off Catalan Bay.

This maritime accident threatened to derail our clean up altogether, with concerns of oil pollution becoming a real threat once more, and it has in fact stopped the dive clean- up for the time being. We aim to reschedule this for a few weeks’ time when the situation with the vessel has hopefully stabilised once again. A separate team under the ESG will be on standby in case they are needed to help with any future oil clean ups.

 Last week a busy Team leader meeting was held where planning and discussion of sites and issues took place. We also welcomed new teams and partners. Several schools and other educational establishments, as well as clubs and a few businesses, make up the main teams involved, so much awareness will be raised. Determined to make a difference to many sites around Gibraltar, we hope the community will acknowledge and support the volunteers in their work.

Reports on the Clean up always follow, and continue throughout the year. There are always ongoing challenges and issues relating to litter and dumping in our small, but beautiful town and we will make several recommendations to the authorities on the back of the focus of this year’s clean up.

We couldn’t do this without the great support from the community and we thank all volunteers and sponsors including:  Turicum Private Bank, GBC Open Day Trust, Bassadone Automotive Group and 888.com for their donations, and the Department of the Environment for the assistance given.

Details of the 2022 Clean up will follow in the media and on our website esg-gib.net after the weekend.                                                                                                                      

Thanks for listening.

“The ESG is watching the scenario unfold off the Caleta coastline with deep concern.

It is alarming to see heavy fuel now escaping boom containment and moving into open water. Impacts will be damaging to our natural environment and indeed to our communities should tides move this slick onto land- we do not understand how this spill has not been contained, running clearly past the containment boom.

We are concerned the worst-case scenario could now be before us and feel saddened and angry for our environment. The ESG hopes recovery efforts as described are as successful as possible in limiting the spread and removal of oil –even though, as is well established, traces of this contamination will remain in the environment for some time to come.

The group adds it is willing to assist wherever possible and calls on the public to report any sightings of affected wildlife to the Department of the Environment.”

http://www.esg-gib.net/wp-content/uploads/documents/Spanish-Flaring-Leaflet.pdf

SEE BELOW ENGLISH TEXT FROM LEAFLET

THE FLARES  – EVERYTHING YOU SHOULD KNOW:

1. What are flares? The word “flare” is used to describe a flame that is burning off excess gas. This process usually occurs in refineries, as well as in certain chemical plants. These gases are generated when the production process is not working properly, when there is a loss of energy, or when the gases are released during maintenance periods. There are more flares in oil and gas production plants than in refineries. It also occurs in some mines, as well as many garbage dumps.

2. What is the biggest problem with flares? The flares, in short periods of time, emit large amounts of gas into the environment. They are prone to problems related to wind turbulence, and to gases not burning properly due to lack of time and temperature variations. All this contributes to the gases burning in a “dirty” way. One of the main problems with torches is that their efficiency is essentially unknown. It is often the case that refiners cite manufacturers’ specifications, as refinery operators are unaware of their own efficiency. Research carried out by the Alberta Research Council (Canada) also suggests that the number and volume of potentially toxic components escaping into the environment due to incomplete combustion are higher than previously suspected. Flaring also contributes to a number of environmental problems, such as eco-inefficiency, resource depletion, global warming, and acid deposition.

3. Why do refineries release flares or torches? These flares are intended to protect the refinery, and release the gases beyond the work areas. Therefore, its purpose is not to protect the health of those who live beyond the industrial area. Refineries use flares as a safety device with which excess gases are removed. A buildup of gases can increase pressure in the plant and cause an explosion. Some refineries flare more than they should as they use this method to dispose of waste. In the south of Durban, refineries flare up due to operational and maintenance failures, as well as for emergencies. It is interesting to know how under Engen’s new production permit, dated December 2004, refineries are not allowed to use flares for economic reasons.

4. Why do some flares emit toxic smoke? If a torch emits smoke, it is not a good torch, since what it is emitting is not being completely burned. Both Engen and Sapref in Durban gave their torches more propulsion, and this helped the flares burn properly. If a torch smokes, if the flare is very high, this practice must be denounced. Torches also smoke because the volume of gas is such that the flame cannot completely burn it.

5. Why do the flares produce such strong odors?
Many gases are emitted into the environment during the entire time that the chimneys emit flares or torches. If the flare is “good”, it is only emitting carbon dioxide (CO2) and water. Since gas analysis is not done in stacks, and can only be done in laboratories, it would be a stretch to say that there are 2 gases that can make a torch smell – sulphur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is a colorless gas with a strong odor, irritates the respiratory system, and can cause or aggravate the condition of patients with asthma or bronchitis. Babies whose mothers have been subjected continuously or for long periods of time to this type of contamination during pregnancy, may be born with a predisposition to these diseases. Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) is a highly dangerous chemical. It smells like rotten eggs. Shell’s safety committee issued an information leaflet in December 1986 explaining, “The greatest danger of hydrogen sulfide is that it can cause sudden death if inhaled in concentrated doses. Torches or flares normally emit amounts of toxic substances that are well below lethal concentrations, but are high enough to be recognized by their distinctive odor, and cause nausea and vomiting.

Another fact to take into account regarding contamination by hydrogen sulfide is that ones sense of smell becomes used to the bad smell and no longer detects it, and after a while you no longer smell it. There is then the risk that this contaminating substance can reach lethal levels and those affected do not realise it.

6. What polluting substances are issued when there are flares? According to the Public Health Association of Canada, and according to its “Position 2000” document, 250 different toxins have been identified. Among these are the following:

7. Can flares damage health? Certain polluting compounds aggravate respiratory diseases such as asthma. The “EPA Enforcement Alert October 2000” of the United States says the following:

Hydrogen Sulfide is considered a cyanide-like toxin. Flaring torches can produce high concentrations of sulphur dioxide in the environment. Those people who could be exposed even for short periods of time to high levels of sulphur dioxide may suffer lung damage that would be accompanied by discomfort such as shortness of breath due to congestion of the respiratory tract.

8. Can the torches or flares affect air quality? Flares can affect air quality, particularly if they are not burning well. Stations for observing air quality have detected an increase in solid particles during those periods in which the chimneys have been emitting torches or flames. It is also known to increase hydrogen sulfide concentrations at ground level. Flares also cause carbon dioxide levels to rise. Incomplete combustion emits solid particles (soot) and hydrocarbons into the atmosphere that are harmful to health. Studies conducted in Houston, Texas, reveal that smog levels can increase as a result of increased flares, which in turn increase VOC and sulphur dioxide emissions.

Solid particles (soot) Benzene
Benzoprine
Carbon di-sulphide (CS) Carbonyl Sulphide (Cos) toluene

Mercury
And many more.

INFORMATION: THE BAY BUCKET BRIGADE IN COLABORATION WITH “LA PLATAFORMA POR EL ESTUDIO EPIDEMIOLOGICO YA!”

JUNE 2006

The ESG shares the alarm expressed around the Bay over the major flaring incident that occurred yesterday evening

While a mishap at a substation in Pinar del Rey was believed to be the cause of the power failure in Spanish towns, which reportedly was resumed after 20 minutes, the emergency flaring, caused by power failure, did not normalise until close to 3 hours later!!

.

Picture supplied courtesy of John Sanchez

We were advised in our refinery campaigning days that flaring releases untold levels of toxic chemicals into the surrounding environment and must therefore be limited to the shortest possible period. That best practice should see back up power supply at the industry to restore power and limit flaring as quickly as possible, in a matter of minutes.

Best practice on this occasion, did not prevent the noxious fumes which continued for close to 3 hours yesterday.

The ESG calls for an official enquiry to be placed by our Government to establish all the facts and to clarify whether emergency power supply is in place at this refinery to limit this extended and dangerous flaring practice, which is a cross border environmental and public health hazard.

*** Visit Resources Page for access to reports on pollution including Flaring.