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CUTW 2011 Second and Final Planning Session

This week saw the final planning session take place for this year’s Clean Up the World Event on Saturday 17th September, 2011. This promises to be a truly dynamic event with well over 500 volunteers tackling various areas around Gibraltar in an effort to clear away dumped rubbish from green, coastal and underwater areas.
The day will start with an energetic and colourful parade supported by local schools and members of the community which will finish up at John Mackintosh Square where activities, information displays and other attractions will feature, all with an environmental theme. Parade will depart from Casemates at 11.00am and will make its way to the “Piazza” where activities will continue until at least 12.30pm. The ESG hopes the community will support this important event. “Waste Art” workshops have been held during the summer and will continue until the weekend ensuring various exciting and thought provoking displays and activities on recycling and waste issues will greet the schools at the Square on the day. Meanwhile some of the teams will already be working hard at relieving our natural environment from litter and dumped waste.

On both of our planning sessions the ESG has delivered a presentation outlining the aims of the campaign and the progress attained over the years. In subsequent discussions it’s clear that all volunteers agree that until we see a litter fining and enforcement scheme in place our home town will continue to see litterers and irresponsible contractors dumping waste where they shouldn’t. Campaigners hope that this scheme will be implemented with no further delay. They also welcome the fact that in this, our seventh year, the Govt response to our collective efforts means that everyone senses progress and the chance of achieving further positive change.

Team leaders are reminded to please collect equipment and information sheets on the 16th September from ESG Premises above Plater Youth Club – (details sent direct via email) – call 54960000 if any problems.

Teams confirmed for action: ESG, GONHS, RGP Diving Team, Gib Sub Aqua Club, Simply Diving, Mixed Team, Tom’s Team, Peachies, Scouts, Heritage Trust, Guides, Recycle.gi, Interbuild, 101 Ltd, MoD, St. Mary’s School, Bayside School, Westside School, St.Christopher’s School, St. Anne’s School, St. John’s Cadets, Thinking Aloud, Deloitte, Round Table, Rotary, Convent, Community Services, Wildlife Park, and Alameda Botanical Gardens (a few others remain unconfirmed).

Additional Support from: Barbary Rock Adventures, Navy, Tarik Shipping, GibDock, Master Services, Toyota, 101 Ltd, Interbuild and many others. Thanks in advance to everyone for their enthusiasm and commitment to this community wide campaign.
(Picture attached of 2nd Planning Session with ESG and various Team leaders)

Press Release Western Beach Pollution
9th September 2011

Western Beach users and the ESG welcome the comments made by the Chief Minister and Mayor of La Linea on the need for action on the sewage pollution affecting Western Beach from La Linea’s storm drain. This public and direct admission is considered progress and is welcomed by campaigners. It would appear that the works to be carried out to the storm drain leading out into Western Beach will be made a priority. This is good news to all of those people who use Western beach.

Having kept a close watch on the levels of e coli pollution at all the beaches this summer, campaigners are concerned that it is not just Western Beach that has been affected. The levels at both Eastern Beach and Catalan Bay have risen considerably this year at times recording serious spikes in pollution levels. The solution therefore, needs to be thorough, and permanent, and ensure that all illegal discharges are closed and proper treatment facilities set up.

Campaigners believe it is vital to maintain pressure on this issue. At a meeting with the MEP Sir Graham Watson last week it was agreed that the Petitions Committee in Brussels would be contacted again to push for the petition signed by 3000 people to be heard as soon as possible.

“We cannot allow sewage to continue to flow out onto any of our beaches in the way that it has done over the past year,” said a spokesman, “a solution needs to be found, and more importantly, adequately funded by central government if need be due to its cross border nature , as a matter of urgency”.

Protect Local Trees

The ESG wishes to add its support to the statement made by the GONHS condemning the recent felling of mature trees in the town area. The ESG agrees that Gibraltar must protect its trees, that they are living organisms that do not need to be destroyed, and more importantly, are vital because:

–They cut down the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere
-They provide a source of oxygen in built-up areas
-They provide urban cooling and wildlife habitat within urban areas
-They help to eliminate fine particulate matter from the air which is also a problem in Gibraltar
-They are aesthetically important in a city environment
-They provide badly-needed shade in pedestrian areas
-They have been part of our heritage and community

The ESG believes that the community should be made aware of the rationale for this latest tree felling in the Theatre Royal area and assurances given that no more trees will be removed.
The ESG agrees with the GONHS that we should be paying particular attention towards conserving our local trees and ensuring their long term survival.

Key Words: Clean up the World 2011, GoG Action, Fines, Glass and Cans Recycling, Sir Graham Watson

Hello to one and all- the pace is now truly picking up for our exciting Clean Up the World Community Event to be held on the 17th September that will see over 500 already registered volunteers help make Gibraltar a cleaner environment for all. What is remarkable is the transition organisers are witnessing this time round regarding the vast improvements to many of our usual hotspot sites targeted each year since 2005.

This represents a major success story of an effective and sustained community campaign together with the efforts of the Minister of the Environment and related depts. Master Services and agencies who are now responding and are better resourced to maintain many of our precious green and coastal areas which historically were off radar – except that is, for tourists, litterers and irresponsible contractors. These ongoing issues highlight the need for prevention of littering and dumping by way of improved information/facilities and above all fines and enforcement. We shall be focusing on this during the 2011 campaign.

So, this is an extremely positive year for our volunteers as we gear up to work on new areas and new projects knowing that the efforts will survive beyond the weekend event

We shall be cleaning underwater sites, hard to access coastal and green areas as well as working with the local NGOs in programmes related to vegetation and conservation projects. We also are expecting to assist in worthy fixing up projects which are currently being looked at in detail. The ethos of CUTW is to clean up, fix up and green up our environment- imagine if all communities did this – everywhere – the world would indeed be a better place to live in!! If you haven’t yet signed up and are interested to take part just give us a call on 200-48996 or mobile 54960000 or email us at esg@gibtelecom.net. We also welcome donations to support the event so call us if you can help. Thank you!

Taking responsibility is also part of the 2011 Clean Up theme and disposing of your waste falls clearly under this ethos. While it is the responsibility of Govts and agencies to provide and monitor basic services the community also has a part to play and 2010 statistics for collection of glass and cans do not tell a good story. Although Gibraltar exported over 100 tons of glass and over 20 tons of cans in 2010 this falls short of the waste targets we are required to meet as a community. Clearly more work needs to be done on both sides ie the service providers and users and we hope our annual campaign will help increase awareness during the Clean Up Event.

On other news the ESG was very pleased to meet with MEP Sir Graham Watson on his recent visit to Gibraltar. Sir Graham, who is now fully briefed and concerned about regional environmental issues has given us greater confidence in the European Commission process and we are very thankful to be able to rely on his support and representations on our behalf on important issues such as CEPSA pollution, sewage, and bunkering, among others.

Thank you for listening and a reminder to all CUTW team leaders that we meet on the 7th September at 7pm at the Charles Hunt Room for a detailed logistics and planning session. Hope to see you there!

ESG Press Release 26TH AUGUST 2011

The ESG would like to highlight the disturbing scenes at the nearby CEPSA Oil Refinery today which began showing signs of trouble sometime after one pm. At what was reported as a fire at a fuel storage containment area, flames produced heavy black smoke could be seen as far away as Marbella prompting concerns on both sides of the border. Indeed the ESG received a number of calls from people anxious about what they were seeing with no information to hand.
After contacting our Spanish colleagues we learnt that although designated as a control 1 fire by the industry and emergency services, and quickly brought under control (under half an hour), subsequent heavy flaring at the plant signalled its troubles were far from over. The ESG continued to receive calls from concerned citizens and was also in touch with local media in an effort to share what information was available.
This incident highlights once again the lack of an official protocol for information exchange between Gibraltar and Spain to quickly and effectively disseminate updates on serious accidents which can have regional impacts on people and the environment.
The ESG considers this unfortunate incident as timely on a day where visiting MEP Sir Graham Watson will spend some time in discussion with the group over issues such as CEPSA and compliance, sewage matters and bunkering, among others.

ESG Press Release August 22nd 2011
BUS SERVICE FEEDBACK

In response to the Government’s request for feedback on the free bus service and the new routes, the ESG would like to make the following points:-

To begin with, as it has stated in previous press releases on the matter, the ESG congratulates the Gibraltar Government on having introduced free public transport for all but one route. It considers this to be a progressive initiative which should undoubtedly have a very positive, long term impact on reducing the increasingly heavy traffic in Gibraltar and subsequent pollution.
Nonetheless, it is obvious to all those who use public transport that the present system has to be tweaked in a number of ways if it is to be efficient.

1. One of the complaints made by numerous members of the public is that there are not enough buses and that, as a result, there has been a serious disruption to the timetables since the new routes were introduced. Clearly, we would recommend an increase in the number of buses for the new system to be effective.

2. In fact some of the new routes have themselves proved to be highly unpopular with many, particularly the removal of the No3 bus route, from the frontier to the lighthouse. This was a route used by hundreds, if not thousands, of Gibraltarians and frontier workers. The buses were punctual and got people to their destination quickly. The present system, whereby all buses have to go to the market place, is cumbersome, inefficient and counter-productive. A passenger who has to get a first bus to the Market Square and then get on a second bus could easily take anything between 45mins and 60mins to complete a trip which in the past would have taken 10 or 15 minutes. It should not be necessary to take two buses to get to any destination in a place as small as Gibraltar. Therefore we would recommend the re-activation of the No3 route or some similar, direct route.

3. Steps should also be taken to ensure pensioners can enjoy the complete free bus service in place before the new system was introduced.

4. Also, we need to ensure that free, but community-financed, public transport is not used to make profit for an outsider party (cut out the opportunistic tour operator) with new legislation if necessary.

5. Finally, the system as it stands, and perhaps because of the complicated arrangement that exists with regards to the other bus company, unfairly discriminates against the frontier worker. Whereas the remainder of the routing is free, the very popular and very necessary route from frontier to town is now more expensive than before. This anomaly should be addressed as necessary so that the discrimination is removed. This will further reduce the number of vehicles entering our road system.

Inevitably, any new system was bound to have teething problems and the GoG rightly said there would be a trial period before definite decisions were made. Now is the time to redress these problems, preferably before school starts again.

We further hope that, with the finishing of the full-sized Devil’s Tower car park, a Park-and-Drive shuttle system will be employed to encourage foreign visitors to leave their vehicles out of town and ride the free bus to their destination.

The ESG hopes that the GoG takes on board the best recommendations made by the general public, and their own advisers, to enhance this very good initiative. It certainly should not retract on the policy of free public transport for all which puts Gibraltar ahead of most other cities, anywhere in the world, in this particular context.

ESG Radio newsletter 18th August 2011 KEY WORDS : Clean up the World – East Side Bunkering – Professor Cales Linden – Buses Survey Deadline –
Hello,
Today the ESG will touch upon various matters to do with our local and regional environment which we hope will be of interest.
To start with an update on the CUTW Programme which is moving along extremely well as we speak, sites being assessed, teams signing up, and 2011 showing itself to be a high point locally for this global campaign once more.
Gibraltar’s coastline, a growing number of underwater sites and hard to reach areas will receive attention from our volunteers with positive results for our marine and natural environment. That will be the action. Of the campaign itself, well, we hope it will help create more awareness and civic pride in our community with the ultimate aim of becoming more responsible in “How” we manage our waste in general, at every level.
The next CUTW planning session will be held on the 7th September at the Charles Hunt Room, John Mackintosh Hall, at 7pm. Hope you can attend especially if you couldn’t make the 1st session. See you there.

Moving on, you may have seen recent press coverage of widely held concerns of the possible expansion of Bunkering to the East side of Gibraltar. There is a coalition of associations and entities that have specific issues regarding any type of this activity on the East Side. For these details please visit esg-gib.net or gonhs.org for the various papers. The “Coalition” published a joint statement a few days ago outlining the many areas of concern which are shared by all groups – this can also be found on the aforementioned websites. We believe its important that the community knows the detailed concerns these same groups gave the scientists last year who are carrying out an env impact assessment on this proposed activity.
It is after all, our quality of life, our safety, our marine environment, and natural heritage that is at stake and the coalition representing all these areas presents mature arguments and reasons against any such activity most eloquently. If you do not have access to a computer please contact us at 200-48996 for a copy of the submissions.

Some of you may have known a colourful and somewhat controversial character by the name of Swedish Professor Claes Linden. Claes was an environmental activist, scientist and farmer and lived in the Campo de Gibraltar region for 28 years. His recent passing has given rise to renewed focus of his efforts to fight for a better environment locally, via his farming methods and concerns of pollution, and globally with his scientific works on climate change and critical need for the protection of rainforests. A year ago, close friends of the ESG organised for Claes Linden to give a presentation of his ideas to a select audience in La Linea. It was clear that while his failing health was a growing issue, his commitment and passion for the battle to save our planet was as strong as ever. We would therefore like to mark his passing with respect and sadness. He has left a legacy though – a farming project in Castellar which he nurtured for over twenty years has now become the focus of a petition which Linden’s friends and colleagues are running to try and preserve the land he occupied as an environmental botanic garden. Mid September will see a meeting take place in Castellar and more information will be provided locally by the ESG. Please do contact us if you knew Professor Linden and would like to assist or learn more about this project.
A word on the buses and problems so far – do not forget to send your complaints and suggestions to paul.martinez@gibraltar.gov.gi where feedback is being gathered towards a govt survey to address these issues. The ESG will also be issuing its own press release on this matter tomorrow.

The ESG would also like to thank all those who take time to raise issues or call us for advice on our environment. You can reach us at esg@gibtelecom.net, telephone 200-48996 or mobile: 54960000
Thanks for listening.

BOTH WORLDS (RETIREMENT) MANAGEMENT COMPANY LIMITED
22 May 2011

PROPOSED EAST SIDE BUNKERING

1. We applaud all initiatives which contribute to the prosperity of Gibraltar but believe that short term developments must be viewed not only in terms of commercial gain but also in terms of long term expense:
1.1. To the environment
1.2. To the people who live in the vicinity
1.3. To all the people of Gibraltar

2. We are concerned that no environmental impact study has been undertaken. An in-depth study should be undertaken and the results made public.

3. We are concerned that the number of vessels anchoring on the East Side will increase and will destroy the natural seabed environment with loss of flora and fauna.

4. We are concerned that there is a very real risk of a major oil spill which could ruin our beach and the adjacent coastline for years to come. This area is of prime recreational value for the whole Gibraltar community and must not be exposed to these dangers.

5. We are concerned that minor oil spills will accumulate and in the end be just as destructive as one major spill.

6. We are concerned that an additional number of vessels will also produce vastly more quantities of sulphur in our air as ships’ fuel is renowned to be of low quality and thus produces excessive atmospheric pollution.

7. We are concerned that the proposal will expose us to pungent odours when the wind direction is from south to south westerly.

8. We are concerned that the increased air pollution will effect the residents of our retirement home. Older people, like young children, are very susceptible to asthma, allergic reactions and bronchial infections.

9. We are concerned that there is no comprehensive long-term strategic plan for the development of Gibraltar in general and for the East Side in particular.

Patricia Hayward – Director Roy Smith – Director

24th May 2011

To Whom It May Concern

Re : Eastside
After being briefed by the company that was appointed to carry out an environmental
impact study on the possibility of east side bunkering and after having considered the
consequences of this activity, at the Caleta Hotel we can only be against any kind of
bunkering.

Bunkering is totally against the nature of our industry and certainly not an environmentally
friendly activity. The consequences of such activity will result in water pollution, noise
pollution and smells. This is totally detrimental to our business and will spoil forever the
only unpolluted coast left in Gibraltar.

While we can understand and appreciate the commercial opportunities that such activities
might bring to Gibraltar PLC,it is totally detrimental to the environment and our industry. It
will jeopardise any future tourism development in Gibraltar and affect the residential areas
enormously.

The hotel will vigorously oppose such activity.

Franco Ostuni
General Manager
P.O. Box 73, Catalan Bay, Gibraltar • T: (350) 20076501 • F: (350) 20042143 (Reservations). E: reservations@caletahotel.gi
E: sales@caletahotel.gi • www.caletahotel.com

Gibraltar Sub-Aqua Club
BSAC 888
Parson’s Lodge
Rosia Road
Gibraltar

Date: 27th May 2011 Re: East Side Marine Bunkering

The GSAC is opposed to the expansion of marine bunkering activities to the east side for the following reasons:

1. Anchor and chain damage. Every time an anchor is dropped onto a reef or other underwater formation, it damages these structures by breaking pieces away, eventually demolishing them to nothing.

The ship at anchor releases a length of chain which is approximately 3 times the depth of the water at that point. Once there is a change of tide the chain scrapes a radius along the bottom, destroying and removing all marine life on the bottom and that attached to any formations.
Eg: the kelp forest at ‘el lomo’ (a popular dive site on the East side) has been depleted to almost zero because of this. Removal of kelp results in a loss of sheltered habitat for immature marine creatures and the loss of a critical breeding ground. This loss leads to lesser fish stocks in the area and also less biodiversity. Although not an environmental consideration, there is a reduced fish stock for local fishermen.

The chain and anchor damage also destroys fish egg deposit grounds, in particular the cephalopod (molluscs) family and species of dogfish. Hence population recovery takes even longer.

The removal and cleaning up of reefs also reduces entanglements otherwise experienced by Spanish trawler fishermen, thus further creating an incentive for netting and the destruction and capture of the few remaining marine life.

All scallops and other shellfish living above the surface of the sand are also damaged and destroyed by the chain action.

The amount of anchoring now is already excessive and if one considers the total surface area which the radius of a 100m chain can describe at it moves, then even if there is just a small increase in anchoring, the reefs will soon be depleted to levels which can only lead to a recession of life with no chance of ever regenerating.

2. Oil spillages in the top part of the watch column will undoubtedly affect spawning success rates as many eggs/sperm will be contaminated.

Local fish stocks depend on surface migratory crabs and small fish to feed on. These always travel on the surface. They will die from feeding on contaminated particles and/or subsequently contaminating the fish that eat them.

If in the event of an oil spill, dispersants are used, the globules formed will sink in the water column and over the years will destroy the reefs and kill filter feeders (ie. shellfish) in the sandy areas outside the reefs. In effect it destroys reef and non-reef sandy area marine life.

Marine life in the coastal water column is destroyed by the continuous deposits of oil slicks – no matter how small these are.

Oil is many times observed on the seabed by divers. This oil takes the form of balls ranging in size from a tennis ball to a handball. This no doubt kills sensitive plant life and corals besides being a disgusting eyesore.

Surface oil and other contaminant slicks damage expensive diving equipment and present a hazard to the diver. We can presume that these slicks are also hazardous to bathers.

Oils are harmful to passing cetaceans.

3. Every time a vessel anchors, rubbish is dumped overboard. As divers we encounter this at the bottom quite frequently.

4. Bay waters are often out of bounds for divers because of heavy maritime traffic, and we prefer the East side. Increased traffic here is clearly a hazard to submerged and decompressing divers.

Conclusion:

The social marginal utility gained from this increase in commerce is clearly outweighed by the social marginal disutility brought on by the environmental risk exposure. At what social and environmental cost will this relatively small % increase in GDP be enjoyed?
£ is not the scarce resource – our waters, marine life and coastline are.

Chris Riddell
Chairman

Vinod Khiani
Vice-chairman