bunkering | The Environmental Safety Group

RADIO BROADCAST 141010

ESG Radio Newsletter Thursday 14th October 2010

On the cards today are topical issues on the environment which I know many of you follow and are deeply interested in-

The first is our

power generation stations and renewable energy

– where are we going with this in Gibraltar? Last nights Newswatch reported that Govt is now contemplating harnessing wind power as the best option to meet the renewable energy target under EU law, but this to happen some years ahead. For some time now we had understood we needed to meet a percentage imminently – has this changed? Or are we changing plans once again?

Furthermore, it was regrettable to hear that Govt was not prepared to discuss this issue in public, ie end of story. This is not acceptable. Modern communities, democracies and indeed Freedom of Access to Environmental Information under EU law, demands that any project, plan or activity which has a direct impact on the environment and hence on the citizen, has to be transparent and publicly shared.

We go further and remind Government that climate change is a critical issue which demands cross party unity and community support and co-operation if we are to successfully meet the challenges ahead- the community therefore needs to be part of the solution and decision making process and should be carefully informed about the intentions of how our authorities plan to steer us towards a cleaner and more responsible future.

What the message given yesterday suggests is that the present Government has no real intention of acting on renewable energy systems for Gibraltar in the foreseeable future and this is reprehensible. Postponement of such action will place the responsibility squarely on the shoulders of our grandchildren who currently look up to us as their protectors. We are not meeting their expectations rather, continuing in the business as usual mode which is not where we should be.

On the question of power stations and additional engines and fuel costs- this has absolutely floored us, we cannot believe this latest development and will be releasing a statement outlining our thoughts and position on this tomorrow.

This last fortnight the ESG received calls and emails from members of the public affected by various activities around the Rock- These complaints are not made lightly and people are usually extremely agitated and upset at the time. Calls are usually about power station fumes, bunkering fumes, sewage smells, noise pollution from 24hr activity etc.

While we attempt to help the callers by providing information or advising who they should contact, the extent and variety of these problems remind us of the fact that Gibraltar is still waiting for an Action Plan on the Environmental Charter signed by the Gibraltar Government several years ago, which would set out rules and timelines to rein in heavily impacting activities that affect our peace of mind, health and quality of life. Yes, it matters to us all.

Without such a plan we shall continue to see all these activities grow without adequate restrictions in place- just look at our power stations for example. It must be said that bunkering fumes and noise must also be tackled by our authorities- we refer complainants every week to the Port Authority and Environment Agency- truth is not sufficient feedback is received and no real action taken suggesting that more radical steps are needed. In fact, the only radical news we get is that bunkering industry is to increase!! But where, we ask, are the efforts to reduce environmental impacts from this activity?

Finally, let’s talk sewage– again on Newswatch last night, the fact that Western Beach is now closed due to sewage pollution which we warned would happen back in April-

This flagrant breach of public health and environmental laws at a cross border level by the Spaniards has to be challenged by our authorities. And if not by citizens. The ESG is hoping to meet with the Chief Minister soon who has assumed responsibility for this issue- and we will then decide how to approach this problem.

More news soon- thanks for listening-

www.esg-gib.net esg@gibtelecom.net

Call us on 200-48996 Mobile 54960000

RADIO BROADCAST 300910

ESG Radio Newsletter Thursday 30th September 2010

Our last fantastic Clean up seems like such a long time ago now!! What a great effort by so many of you supporting an inspiring and active effort at giving something back to our environment. You may be surprised to know that a few teams want to do more areas soon! It’s very rewarding to transform areas trashed by the thoughtless especially when these areas should be home to nature’s creatures and with this years CUTW theme being Communities Caring for Nature, what better way than focusing our efforts in this way.

It’s fairly well known now that the Gib Government is responding to our campaign and has pledged to maintain over 30 such green areas from now on- we are obviously delighted about this.

It still remains a big issue for many of us though that our community should be educated to not littering and dumping in the first place and our campaign focus will seek to tackle the problem more at the source than simply cleaning up each year.

Watch out for more news soon on how we intend to go about it.

Other environmental news, well as always, there’s quite a lot going on. With a possible new management authority for our Upper Rock Nature Reserve, to possible expansion of bunkering on the Eastside, issues for the ESG keep cropping up – such as the dropping of the judicial review by Clifftop residents against the proposed new Power Station- this created additional delays to an already critically needed facility – and so good news the legal challenge has been stopped but the ESG regrets the delays and the manner in which Clifftop residents managed to delay the project and then get their legal costs covered by the taxpayer as well as assurances from Govt that noise levels etc. would be controlled.
As we have said in our press release today, to the many thousands of local residents severely affected by the pollution from our aging and illegal stations, this offers little solace. We urge Govt to simply move ahead and

prioritise the new power station now.

One important word on bunkering fumes- the ESG has managed to acquire a 24hr contact number to be called by anyone suffering from what is suspected to be a bunkering fume issue- we urge people to use the number as the port has repeatedly told us that their follow up is only as good as their being able to investigate the problem at the time it is occurring- the number to call is : 56000545 repeat-

CURSO DE VERANO SOBRE GIBRALTAR

Un breve repaso sobre la historia de Gibraltar y el ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY GROUP.

POLITICA
Durante los últimos 300 anos, Gibraltar ha sido y sigue siendo territorio británico, un contencioso político para los políticos de ambos lados de la frontera que siguen hablando y negociando sobre temas de interés común. España, ha reivindicado, y sigue reivindicando la soberanía de Gibraltar, pero el pueblo de Gibraltar desea ser tan independiente como le sea posible, (la total independencia es imposible ya que el tratado de Utrecht lo impide, y de todos modos no es algo que la mayoría del pueblo desea) así que la reivindicación española tiene poca o ninguna posibilidad de que se consiga.

ECONOMIA
En tiempos pasados, y en gran medida, la economía de Gibraltar como importante base militar, estuvo sustentada por el Reino Unido. En los últimos anos la actividad militar y naval en Gibraltar se ha reducido notablemente, y Gibraltar ha tenido que apoyarse económicamente en otros pilares para sobrevivir y desarrollarse. Con una población de 30,000 habitantes, Gibraltar tiene, predominantemente un sector financiero, y tiene que importar todo lo que necesita para su consumo y desarrollo. Gozamos de una economía estable y prospera con un comercio financiero semejante al que existe en Dublín, Luxemburgo o Malta. Gibraltar también goza de gran popularidad como destino turístico. También es un centro desde donde se opera el “bunkering” marítimo. Tenemos astilleros comerciales, y lo que nos queda de la base militar, la cual es utilizada por submarinos de propulsión nuclear Británicos y de los Estados Unidos.

ECONOMIA DEL CAMPO DE GIBRALTAR
Históricamente, la región española directamente al otro lado de la frontera ha sido una zona subdesarrollada (aunque esto ha ido cambiando en los últimos anos), con una alta tasa de desempleo, una economía mas pobre que en el resto del país, y unos índices de salud por debajo del resto de la nación. Durante las últimas décadas, mientras que Andalucía en general ha experimentado un notable desarrollo económico, muchas industrias indeseables (por su alta contaminación y precarias condiciones de trabajo) han sido ubicadas en esta zona. La tierra y la mano de obra eran mas baratas que en el resto del país, y las comunidades de la zona carecían del poder político para oponerse a su implantación. Así es que los municipios del Campo de Gibraltar, (el área adyacente a Gibraltar), fueron las zonas idóneas para emplazar ciertas industrias tales como la refinería, las petroquímicas, industrias para la fundición de metales, etc. A pesar de estas actividades industriales, esta región sigue teniendo un alto nivel de desempleo, sus habitantes padecen de condiciones sociales mas pobres, y los trabajos disponibles en estas industrias son de mayor peligrosidad.

EL MEDIO AMBIENTE
Este rincón de la Península Ibérica es de una belleza deslumbrante, y rica en su biodiversidad. La mezcla de ecosistemas mediterráneo y atlántico hace que esta sea una zona de unas características únicas. Y los Gobiernos de Gibraltar, España y Marruecos tienen la gran responsabilidad de preservar este entorno tan especial para nuestros hijos y para las generaciones venideras. Si se tomaran medidas para corregir y limitar los abusos de la industria la zona del campo de Gibraltar podría recobrar su belleza, y podría ser desarrollada de un modo económicamente sostenible basándose en el turismo y la pesca. Y creemos que esta visión del futuro es algo por lo que merece la pena luchar.

LA ADMINISTRACION DEL MEDIO AMBIENTE
Ya que el medio ambiente no conoce fronteras, es de vital importancia que se apliquen leyes y medidas a todos los proyectos que afectan el medio ambiente y que estas leyes y medidas se apliquen por igual a ambos lados de la frontera. Hoy por hoy, nuestra bahía ya sufre una contaminación de proporciones inmensas. Se han perdido ecosistemas, por ejemplo las praderas de Poseidonia oceánica, sitios de nificación, flamencos, etc. La contaminación también afecta la salud de la población actual, así como la salud de generaciones venideras, y son pocas las opciones y alternativas de que se disponen para crear económicas sostenibles. Por el contrario lo que si tenemos son operaciones industriales, que dan empleo a poca gente, contaminan a gran escala, y degradan nuestro medio ambiente.

Hace falta una administración transfronteriza del medio ambiente que supervise y controle el transito marítimo, y prevenga el riesgo de accidentes, y para que se asegure que se lleve a cabo un desarrollo sostenible en la bahía. También es necesario que se pongan en marcha medidas de emergencia para prevenir y paliar los efectos de posibles accidentes graves en la bahía, y el gran transito marítimo por el estrecho, por donde navegan unos 100,000 buques al ano.

BUNKERING
Nos preocupa el incremento del suministro de crudo que se lleva a cabo tanto en aguas españolas como gibraltareñas. Esta es una actividad que muy a menudo critican los grupos ecologistas españolas. En particular el suministro de crudo desde un barco a otro. Estas operaciones se hacen así por carecer Gibraltar del espacio suficiente para este tipo de operaciones desde tierra firma.
Debido a la presencia de la refinería, esta actividad del “Bunkering”, ha crecido enormemente durante los últimos anos. Han habido varios accidentes, que afortunadamente hasta ahora, no han resultado en graves desastres. Sin embargo, estudios que se han realizado, nos muestran que a nivel mundial, la cantidad de crudo de aceite que se vierte al mar durante estas operaciones, es 3 veces mayor que la totalidad de crudo que se vierte como resultado de accidentes en los que se vean implicados barcos cisternas. Esto significa que el daño que causan estos “pequeños” vertidos son constantes y todos puestos juntos inmensos.

Tenemos que lamentar el hundimiento del barco “New Flame” que encallo en un arrecife hace ahora un ano, y en el que aun se sigue trabajando para sacarlo de las aguas.

Esto pone de manifiesto el peligro que entrana este tipo de actividades maritimas y lo necesario que es implementar unas medidas efectivas tanto transfronterizas como internacionales que incluyan a Marruecos.

De cara al futuro nos gustaría ver desaparecer de nuestra zona, todas las actividades relacionadas con el petróleo, y ver el desarrollo de la industria turística, y otras menos, o no contaminantes. Mientras tanto, y hasta que eso ocurra, todas las actividades industriales, tendrían que estar sometidas a controles rigurosos, la mas optima administración medioambiental, y cooperación transfronteriza. Algo, que hoy por hoy, se enreda en debates políticos debido a la disputa sobre la jurisdicción de las aguas territoriales.

Otros temas regionales que deben de ser abordados a nivel transfronterizo son:

Pesca ilegal con redes que llevan a cabo las flotas pesqueras Marroquíes
Pesca de arrastre que llevan a cabo las flotas pesqueras españolas cerca de la bahía sin ningún tipo de controles
El puerto de Algeciras sigue creciendo alarmantemente, así como otros grandes proyectos urbanos que siguen poniendo en peligro las pocas zonas verdes que van quedando
Pinar del Rey: otra zona verde cercana a la bahía que esta en peligro de desaparecer. Se han llevado a cabo varias concentraciones para protestar en contra de este atropello medioambiental. Es esencial que las autoridades presten atención a estas protestas ciudadanas y pongan en practica una política medioambiental para la protección y preservación de las zonas verdes tan ricas en fauna, y tan necesarias para el disfrute de la gente. No es suficiente el preocuparse por las selvas del Amazona si no nos preocupamos por nuestras zonas verdes, y las sacrificamos a cambio de ingresos económicos.
Urbanización: Mientras cubrimos la tierra de hormigón y hierro, estamos obligados a reflexionar sobre la calidad, o, falta de calidad del medio ambiente que vamos a dejar para las futuras generaciones, y las graves consecuencias climatologicas que vamos a padecer en un futuro no muy lejano.
Exploraciones sísmicas afectan la vida marina, y se llevan a cabo en secreto
Greenpeace: ha elaborado y publicado recientemente un informe sobre los puntos mas contaminados en España. La sección dedicada a nuestra bahía pone de relieve la severa contaminación industrial, así como el daño crónico que sufre el fondo marino por los frecuentes vertidos de aceite durante las operaciones de bunkering. . Este informe se puede ver en nuestro website. (www.esg-gib.net)
El Reporte del SCIC: Este reporte del SCIC que en parte esta financiado por la Comunidad Europea pone de manifiesto la presencia de metales pesados, hidrocarburos y otros agentes contaminantes que pasan a la tierra, al mar, y al aire, y son emitidos por las industrias ubicadas en la bahía. Dicho informe pide que se tomen medidas para prevenir, y parar estos vertidos.

EL ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY GROUP
El Environmental Safety Group es una Organizacion ONG que se creo para protestar contra la presencia en Gibraltar del submarino nuclear “Tireless”, pero muy pronto la agenda de temas se amplio. A pesar de que uno de los principales problemas que acapararon la atención y actuación de nuestra organización fue la contaminación de la refinería CEPSA, otros temas de contaminación ya de puertas adentro siguieron a este. Fueron temas tales como nuestra central eléctrica, el bunkering, el tráfico, el reciclaje, y el cambio climático. Nuestro grupo emprendió una campana para crear conciencia usando los medios informativos, dando charlas públicas, y siempre ofreciendo soluciones positivas.

El ESG también mantiene su postura en contra de la presencia en Gibraltar de submarinos nucleares, y pedimos lo mismo en la base norteamericana de Rota.

Sobretodo nos preocupa que la mejor tecnología, así como los mejores medios disponibles no se puedan usar fácilmente, debido a la adversa política reinante entre España y Gibraltar, que obliga al Gobierno de Gibraltar a utilizar gran parte de sus recursos económicos en suministrar a la población gibraltareña, servicios básicos tales como el suministro de electricidad y agua potable.

Esto se hace a gran costo, para una comunidad pequeña que es lo que somos, pero nos sentimos obligados a tener que ser auto-suficientes debido al clima político en el que vivimos, preñado de incertidumbre y falta de confianza en nuestro vecino del norte. Desde una óptica medioambiental, el no poder adquirir estos servicios de España es muy lamentable, ya que esta opción seria la más razonable y lógica dentro de un contexto europeo, de ser asi, Gibraltar podría usar estos fondos para solventar algunos de los temas medioambientales que nos quedan por resolver de un modo más eficaz y progresivo.

QUEJA OFICIAL ANTE LA COMISION EUROPEA
Como he dicho con anterioridad, una de las campanas mas importantes del ESG ha sido, y sigue siendo, reducir la terrible contaminación que emite la refinería que durante décadas ha envenenado a las comunidades que habitan nuestra bahía. Hoy, mas que nunca sabemos lo peligroso y dañino que resulta esta contaminación y como su impacto afecta la salud de los ciudadanos, y todo esto ante la pasividad de las autoridades.
La compañía CEPSA es la industria más importante dentro de este complejo industrial. Refina crudo de aceite y produce una variedad de productos petroquímicos, que incluyen combustible para los aviones. La refinería Cepsa, del Campo de Gibraltar, es una de las refinerías más grandes y contaminantes de Europa . Hay motivos para creer que la contaminación que emite es la causante de la alta incidencia de canceres y alergias que sufren los habitantes de la zona de la bahía. Esta contaminación del complejo petroquímico, la de la central para fundir acero , y la de otras industrias, y la falta de controles por parte de la administración española, nos han obligado a presentar una denuncia ante la Comisión Europea. Esta denuncia ha sido respaldada por:

David Dumas QC- Abogado del Bufete de Abogados Hassans
El Profesor Benach, experto en temas de salud publica de la Universidad Pompeu Fabra de Barcelona
Stephen Salter, experto en temas de ingeniería medioambiental y consejero de grupos ONG de Canadá
Denny Larson, experto en la tecnología de refinerías de los Estados Unidos
Así como otros activistas y científicos locales

La campana y las demandas ante la Comisión Europea han recibido la ayuda del Eurodiputado de Gibraltar, el Snr Neil Parish, y la del Eurodiputado David Hammerstein de España, los cuales han visitado la zona, y ahora ponen presión en Brúselas. Mas recientemente la Plataforma de ciudadanos transfronteriza por el estudio epidemiológico, también recibieron ayuda de otros Eurodiputados de España.

Las industrias como CEPSA han podido evitar el tener que cumplir con los requisitos medioambientales gracias a la “clausula del abuelo”. Una clausula que existe para dar protección a las industrias mas antiguas, las cuales no están obligadas a tener los mismos rigurosos niveles para la protección del medioambiente que las industrias mas modernas. Pero esta clausula solo es aplicable si la planta en cuestión no ha sido ampliada. El ESG y otros grupos afines argumentamos que el hecho de que la refinería Cepsa haya podido duplicar la producción de crudo es prueba de que la planta ha sido ampliada, y por lo tanto ya no debe de gozar de la protección de la clausula del abuelo. Este es un tema que se sigue debatiendo en los círculos de la Comisión. A pesar de que se han visto algunas mejoras, aun queda mucho camino por andar. En particular nos preocupa la lentitud con la que se están aplicando las ultimas legislaciones como, por ejemplo, la del IPPC, 96/61 que podría reducir aun mucho mas los niveles de contaminación.

CO-OPERACION TRANSFRONTERIZA DE GRUPOS MEDIOMBIENTALES

Los grupos medioambientales han forjado lazos de cooperación desde los días cuando se protestaba en contra del submarino Nuclear Tireless y hemos pedido que cese la extensión de las industrias químicas en la zona de la bahía.

CAMPANAS TRANSFRONTERIZAS

“ADEBA” – Fue la plataforma desde la cual se empezó a protestar y hacer campana contra los vertidos de crudo en las aguas de la bahía y contra la contaminación de la refinería y de Acerinox
“Bay Bucket Brigade”- Brigada del Cubo de la Bahía: La cual sirvió para recoger muestras de aire contaminado de la zona cercana a la refinería y con la cual se constato el alto nivel de contaminación en el aire- Hay también que resaltar la valiosa contribución del Sr Denny Larson, que en todo momento apoyo los esfuerzos y campanas de los grupos ecologistas de ambos lados de la frontera, que acabaron trabajando unidos con un único fin. La creación, y el trabajo conjunto de la Brigada del Cubo de la Bahía fue de vital importancia para confirmar con datos científicos la presencia cerca de zonas residenciales de niveles alarmantes de agentes tóxicos y carcinogénicos como el benceno.

El Sr Larson también acompaño al Eurodiputado Parish cuando este llevo a cabo una inspección de la refinería, y dio respuestas de carácter técnico, así como atendió los planteamientos y preguntas de los vecinos de la zona. A pesar de que el Sr Larson dijo que los responsables de la refinería hacían intentos para mejorar el funcionamiento de la planta, y así disminuir el impacto medioambiental, esto no se hacia con la rapidez necesaria, ni del modo mas idóneo. El reporte de esta visita se encuentra también en nuestro website.

“Plataforma por el Estudio Epidemiológico”: Una coalición de representantes de partidos políticos españoles, grupos medioambientales, y sindicatos de ambos lados de la frontera, se han unido para poner presión a las autoridades para que lleven a cabo un estudio epidemiológico independiente en todo la zona de la bahía

Este es un tema en el que las fuerzas de base de la ciudadanía se enfrentan y protestan ante la actitud pasiva de las autoridades, y piden que se tomen medidas para resolver un serio problema de contaminación medioambiental.

LA SALUD Y EL MEDIOAMBIENTE
Los estudios llevados a cabo por el Profesor Benach, así como los resultados obtenidos de las muestras de aire usando el método de la “Brigada del Cubo” , han dado un espaldarazo a la moral de los grupos medioambientales que trabajamos en la zona de la bahía.
Los resultados de los estudios del Profesor Benach han probado que existe un triangulo de alta mortalidad que incluye Cádiz, (el área del Campo de Gibraltar), Huelva, y Sevilla. Mas recientemente, el Profesor Benach ha publicado un extenso articulo en El País, donde reitera su llamamiento a las autoridades sanitarias para que respondan a lo descubierto por el en sus estudios.

Otro reporte realizado por el Instituto de Salud Carlos III y hecho publico en 2007, confirma la alta incidencia de enfermedades del aparato respiratorio, canceres, y otras patologías en esta zona.

El ano pasado, la Plataforma por El Estudio Epidemiológico presento al Comisario del Medioambiente de la Comunidad Europea una petición, firmada por 14,000 ciudadanos de ambos lados de la frontera. Esta petición también fue presentada al Gobierno de Gibraltar y a la Junta de Andalucía. El Gobierno de Gibraltar ya ha respondido y ha asegurado que encargara que se lleve a cabo un estudio epidemiológico independiente, y confía en que la Junta de Andalucía se una a este estudio que beneficiara a las comunidades de la zona de la bahía.

Es pertinente subrayar que existe otra bahía que sufre una degradación medioambiental y de salud parecida a la que sufrimos nosotros. Se trata de la bahía de Haifa en Israel. Un reporte publicado en el ano 2000 en Israel, “Emisiones Industriales y alta incidencia de canceres” revela una similitud alarmante con lo que padecemos en nuestra bahía. No es sorprendente saber que también en esa bahía esta ubicada una refinería y un complejo petroquímico, y que la ciudadanía sufre una alta incidencia de canceres y otras patologías muy parecidas a la que sufrimos nosotros.

DETERMINACION
Mucho se ha conseguido gracias a los esfuerzos y cooperación de los ciudadanos y la despolitización del tema del medioambiente y de nuestra salud. Seguiremos trabajando con nuestros colegas españoles, con la esperanza que unidos podremos efectuar los cambios en la mejora de nuestro medioambiente que todos deseamos.
Para finalizar aplaudimos la noticia de que en la siguiente reunión del foro tripartito se discutirá el tema del medioambiente. Felicitamos a los políticos participantes, y los animamos para que aborden todos los temas medioambientales que tanto preocupan a la ciudadanía de ambos lados de la frontera.

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Environmental Safety Group www.esg-gib.net contact 00-350-200 43156 or 78067

Member of
Bucket Brigade International
Clean up the World
Plataforma por El Estudio Epidemiologico

References:

Benach J, Yasui Y. Geographical patterns of excess mortality in Spain explained by two indices of deprivation. J Epid Community Health 1999; 53:423-31

iiAnuario Economico “La Caixa” 2004, Barcelona

European pollutants Emission Register for industries located en el Campo de Gibraltar region (EPER)

Paper submitted to European Commissioner for the Environment, Strasbourg, 2006 by J Howitt “Unsustainable and Intolerable”

Driftnet fishing and biodiversity conservation: the case of the large-scale Moroccan driftnet fleet operating in the Alboran Sea (SW Mediterranean) WWF Programme

Diagnostico de la situacion ambiental del Entorno del Campo de Gibraltar – April 2005 CSIC

See ESG website www.esg-gib.net for more details

“CEPSA Oil and Health in the Campo de Gibraltar”- Author SEAPRISE in conjunction with ESG, S.Salter and D. Larson

Steel foundry, Acerinox, emitted a radioactive cloud that travelled across Europe, subject of a current legal case- subsequent radioactive ashes from

Sandra Kloff, Marine Biologist and IUCN Consultant/Moses Benrimoj, Environmental Scientist/ David Dumas QC, legal advisor Hassans/James Machin, Renewable Energy Expert/Dr John Cortes, Nature Conservation authority/Henry Pinna, Gibraltar’s first Ombudsman and dedicated Environmentalist

Environmental Safety Group, Verdemar/Ecologistas en Accion, Agaden, Mesa de la Ria, GONHS, Prodeni and many other civic groups

Bay Bucket Brigade sampling confirmed levels of benzene at 22 times higher than the legal limit- benzene is a known link with leukaemia, respiratory problems, skin problems and blood disorders

2004, J Benach, Y.Yasui, J M Martinez, C Borrell, M I Pasarin, A Daponte. The Geography of the highest mortality areas in Spain: a striking cluster in the southwestern region of the country. Occup Environ Med 2004; 61:280-281

El Pais, page 22, 12/7/08 El suroeste espanol, zona de alto riesgo

Website of Insituto de Salud Carlos III

ESG Radio Broadcast 8th July 2010

Infrastructural Projects

Clearly anyone can see that Gibraltar is undergoing numerous, massive, infrastructural projects, which will significantly improve many of our public areas.

Sandy Bay is finally receiving serious attention mainly driven by the risk of collapse of the buildings known as “Both Worlds”, which, for decades, have enjoyed the luxury of a truly stunning landscape and environment. As a Sandy Bay fan I only hope that the beach will also be stabilised in its own right and will be returned to full public use once the re-enforcement works are completed.
The Dudley Ward tunnel is also moving quickly ahead with reports of completion sometime this year.
The rubble mountain off Eastern Beach continues to grow and this is a cause for concern. Let’s hope the dumping is strictly monitored and controlled but this does beg the question of Gibraltar’s rubble waste in general and the copious amounts being produced.
Over to Europa Point and much evidence today of the ongoing tidying up project, both long awaited and promised. Though still a building site, this effort will, with any luck, result in an improved area where tourists and locals alike will experience and enjoy the brilliant vistas Gibraltar offers. Hope to also see lots of trees going in to the final refurbishment effort!

CUTW

The ESG is currently visiting problem sites as well as “difficult to get at” areas for assessment for the upcoming Clean Up the World Campaign taking place this year on the 18^th and 19^th September. We are now distributing our colourful volunteer posters and are contacting teams to begin planning in earnest.

Please, call us and register on: 200-48996, or on mobile: 54960000.You can also email us on: esg@gibtelecom.net . Launch of campaign happening very soon.

Eastside Bunkering:

I also wanted to quickly touch base on a number of important issues which have arisen recently – one, the fact that the Govt of Gibraltar has stated in the press that it is planning to lift restrictions to allow bunkering to be carried out on the eastside of Gibraltar. This is completely opposed by the ESG, and we believe, by many in the community. We shall be launching a petition to prevent this from happening. We strongly believe that economic growth should not come about at any cost and hope to gain widespread public support on this. We issued a detailed press release on this outlining our concerns and you can read about this and the petition on our website: www.esg-gib.net .

Green Budgetary Measures:

The green measures proposed by Govt in its recent budget are most definitely good news and a long awaited step in the right direction. We mustn’t forget that Gibraltar will be failing to meet European targets this year in using a percentage of renewable energy as part of our energy base, and this has to change. Investment and focus on this by the Govt of the day is needed and overdue, and will, in the long-term, provide financial as well as environmental benefits. Of course our air quality will also improve with clear health benefits for all.

Well, hope you have heard something of interest to you. Please do get in touch if you would like more information on any local or regional environmental issue.

Thanks for listening!!

ESG Radio Broadcast 240610

Hello-

Well our environmental world is truly becoming more and more complicated- from witnessing potentially the worst ever marine disaster ongoing in the Gulf of Mexico – today confirmed as decimating hundreds of thousands of birds and marine species, to closer to home, bunkering fumes, dolphinariums, Tripartite and Bay issues, renewable energy and yes, the inevitable sands from the Sahara story……

Our members are kept informed on all these issues via emails/Facebook and our website- if you are listening to this broadcast, and have never heard of the ESG and would like to find out more, please visit our website www.esg-gib.net where you can join up or alternatively access lots of information on local and regional environmental issues-

Just to confirm we are an NGO, non profit making organisation and therefore depend on donations and support from the community to continue our work.
Members are encouraged also to attend monthly open meetings where projects are discussed and those interested can support and participate more fully. Do please get in touch!

Obviously air, noise and marine pollution concerns everyone–

With the summer upon us, pollution is more clearly felt as the hot temperatures amplify the problem and we all need to keep windows and doors open to cool down. We also tend to spend more time outdoors.

The situation has been such that the ESG has issued some half a dozen press releases during this last fortnight alone on pollution from power stns, the Refinery, bunkering fumes and others. What also brought matters to a head was the threat of legal action from the EU regarding Gibraltar’s particulate and NOx levels- both harmful to health with especially harmful particulates produced by diesel engines which by the way are used in all three of our electricity generating stations.

We have heard the Minister for the Env. suggest the EU have got it wrong with the Saharan Sands and sea salt largely to blame for excessive levels and not our activities at all- we strongly dispute this claim and others made by senior environmental officers representing Govt position on this.

As we have done on other occasions, we are currently putting together a paper on the Govt Draft Air Quality Plan currently open for public consultation in clear and simple language, highlighting the key issues contained and our views on Govt strategy –we will of course publish this document too.

We must not forget that Gibraltar still awaits the long promised Action Plan to deliver on the Environmental Charter “Aims and Objectives” which are there to actively steer us towards creating a healthier and better quality of life for our citizens, our families and the living environment alike-

We do recognise that to change from business as usual to a progressive and green future will take some, shall we say courage, transparency, and purpose. So far, we are seeing glimmers of light emerge from Govt corners but with statements of Saharan sands we are truly going backwards-

Please, let’s be honest with ourselves, get onto a green track- prioritise our action plan to put a timeframe on all the key areas and let’s not leave this for election fodder and empty promises.

The ESG will continue to work hard to push forward this agenda as well as highlight practical solutions.

You can reach us on: 200-48996, 54960000 email on esg@gibtelecom.net and our website again: esg-gib.net.

Thanks for listening.

Pollution – Local and Bay issues

POLLUTION UPDATE 2010, MARCH 2010
Power Stations –Bunkering – Traffic – Bay Pollution – Epidemiological Studies – Enforcement of Green

Legislation
While many of these issues remain a threat to the environment and our health, there have been changes in key areas which we shall briefly explain here. Firstly, though, we should underline that many of the contributory sources of pollution are exactly the same if not worse than in previous years. Traffic and power stn emissions for example continue the same or have possibly worsened. This first section is a 2010 update to a paper we submitted at the last election in 2007 (details at end of this section)

Power Stations:

Gibraltar’s Power Stations are noise and dirty- if you live near one you will know the score. After several years of campaigning and the ever strengthening laws coming down from Brussels the Gib Govt decided on replacing all three plants with a new modern equivalent which will be built on Lathbury Square. The length of time it has taken to get to this stage has meant that many families have been exposed to illegal levels of air and noise pollution affecting their quality of life on a day to day basis. In our 2007 paper (see below) we recommended various actions to be taken to ameliorate impact from the power stations during the time of planning and building the replacement plant. Govt has not agreed to do this and we continue to campaign for urgency on completion of the new plant. (see http://www.environmental-agency.gi/PDF%20Files/LathburyBarracks_decisiondoc.pdf for details just published on the licence issued for the construction of replacement power station.

Bunkering fumes
Have markedly improved, with steps taken by the Gibraltar Govt and CEPSA Oil Refinery to lower temperature of fuel bunkered to reduce smells. This was solely due to public pressure and our campaign. Work is also underway to install state of the art monitoring systems such as VTS (Vessel Tracking Systems) as well as co-operation measures between Gib and Spanish ports in the Bay to liaise on all shipping movements thereby significantly reducing risk of collision. The ESG understands that the Gibraltar Govt is considering bringing fuel bunkering supplies to ‘onshore’ facilities removing the risk of a catastrophic incident involving floating refuelling mother ships. This would be some improvement although vapour recovery technology (VRT) would need to be implemented throughout any such installation to ensure the new facility would not cause harmful pollution to the nearby area.

Update on Traffic
Is that everything is just as dreadful as it has been and getting worse- no doubt with the opening of Dudley Ward tunnel (!) and new airport road in action, we shall see vast improvements to the state of our roads- the emphasis however always in providing ever more facilities for more and more motorised transport. Very little indication from this Govt of any intention or vision to give us safe, calm streets and fresh air with clean running public transport systems and moves to actively reduce traffic levels. Vested interest and the vote-losing element of any bold plan actively reducing motorised transport is obviously driving govt agenda in this regard. And all we do is complain!! The ESG is considering holding a poll shortly to gauge the real public feeling on this issue as without public support, very little will change.
• Please refer to the ESG website for a comprehensive response to the latest Govt plan on Transport during last quarter of 2009.
• Also look at the ITWMC (In Town without My Car) website for further information on alternatives to Gibraltar’s traffic problems.

Bay Pollution:
A couple of big developments here mainly in the form of a recent audit on the CEPSA Oil Refinery the ESG managed to acquire via our legal advisers, Hassan’s, and the positive steps taken under the Tripartite Political Process where at least the regional environmental issues have been tabled for the first time ever.
The Bay and its citizens have been exposed to excessive levels of pollution from the heavy industrial complex for over 40 years! We campaign locally, at cross border and at European level for all activity in the Bay to be regulated to best practice and technology and for sustainable development to replace aging and damaging practices.

• The ESG produced its own technical assessment of the Audit which can be found in full on our website.
• We have also collaborated with groups from across the border and from Gibraltar to produce a number of files that have been sent to the Tripartite Forum. This coalition is intent on highlighting the critical areas of regional environmental importance need for urgent action. The cross border coalition is made up of: AGADEN (from Algeciras), VERDEMAR (San Roque), GREENPEACE from Madrid, and the ESG and GONHS from Gibraltar.

We shall continue to monitor this situation and demand appropriate action by the three participating governments under the Tripartite Forum and other relevant authorities.

Epidemiological Studies
Gibraltar Government took the step of launching its own independent epidemiological study in response to public concerns and pressure created by Environmental NGO’s in the region. It is possible that first reports emerging from the Danish Team will be published towards the end of 2010. The ESG regrets the unilateral nature of this study as the cross border coalition campaigned steadily for years for this to be done at a cross border basis- knowing full well that the environment knows no borders and that all Bay Citizens deserve this type of independent analysis to address wide spread concerns about higher mortality in the area.

Enforcement of Green Legislation
The ESG has long campaigned for an Environmental Charter for Gibraltar that was eventually signed in 2006. Subsequent to this “great document of worthy principles” was news that the Ministry for the Environment was soon to be releasing an Action Plan to follow up on the objectives set out under the Charter. The ESG is seriously concerned about the risks posed to health from several activities on the Rock and that, while understanding the inevitability of proximity to sources of pollution due to our size, that more needs to be done to ensure that strict application of Best Practice and the Precautionary Principle is enforced in Gibraltar. In other words, that steps are taken by all relevant agencies to identify threats and take active measures to reduce these over time, but with expediency.

POLLUTION (2007)
Because of the growing scientific evidence of pollution effects on health it is a Government’s duty to try and eliminate and reduce all avoidable sources of pollution over and above EU requirements. Gibraltar’s unique situation results in closer than usual proximity to sources of heavy pollution from power plants, bunkering fumes, traffic emissions, etc which makes pollution reduction measures all the more necessary.

– Short-term
!-Bunkering fumes and other impacts from intense maritime activity, such as potential collisions, need to be addressed. The implementation of vapour recovery systems should be made conditional to all fuel activity to minimise harmful fumes. The ESG submitted technical solutions to Government 9 months ago. It is hoped that any future Govt will support the need for bunkering companies to invest in this technology without further delay. A hotline should also be set up with an answering service to ensure complaints about fumes are recorded.

! Transport and Traffic emissions – Traffic is clearly a crisis at the moment -Focus should be on reducing vehicular traffic and associated fumes by encouraging healthier forms of transport/mobility-needs a sustained Government campaign, promotion, disincentives, and alternatives

– For all political parties to give due regard to a detailed document prepared by the ESG, GONHS and FoE/Gib under the “In Town Without My Car” campaign with recommendations and potential solutions submitted to the Minister for the Environment in 2007 and available on the ESG website: www.esg-gib.net

-Short-term
! Bay Pollution – Gibraltar Government to support the ESG’s complaint to the European Commission regarding the dangerous operational standards of the CEPSA Oil Refinery and associated petrochemical installations – MEP’s and now MPs from the UK are lending support to what is clearly a regional environmental problem.

Short-term
!-Epidemiological studies – Urgent need for independent, cross-border epidemiological (health) studies to be carried out to establish links between industrial pollution and elevated mortality rates in the bay. A bay wide petition of close to 14,000 signatures was handed to the Gibraltar Government and to the Spanish authorities in 2007 as part of a sustained campaign by a 14 strong cross border coalition of NGO’s and various other organisations (Plataforma for Epidemiological Studies).

Short to long-term
Environmental Agency to be invested with independent powers to regulate private and Government activity – and appoint the agency with specific goals to assess the health effects from chronic pollution sources in Gibraltar (not only comply with EU legislation) This can be only happen if the Agency is charged with actively working towards the elimination of all avoidable pollution sources.

BAY POLLUTION

Tuesday, June 02, 2009, 8:08:38 PM

The ESG is pleased to see political intent as stated by GSLP spokesman Fabian Picardo, regarding the pollution in the Bay and the GSLPs’ commitment to commission, fund and publish an enquiry to gauge the impact that the said pollution is having on our population. This is an area of main concern […]