Radio Broadcast – Key words: elections, air pollution, LNG, bunkering, DPC

With UK elections looming – much focus is being given to issues like the NHS and Immigration, cost of living and cutbacks – Important though these obviously are, it is quite worrying how the environment, pollution and climate change are hardly being given a mention.

Increasingly however, one reads more and more medical reports linking health problems to air pollution, with an article in today’s Guardian claiming it to be more costly to the NHS, around 15bn pounds per year, than obesity and alcoholism combined, and yet this is not seemingly addressed, with the UK failing to meet EU standards on air quality.

In Gibraltar, we too are failing to meet air quality standards on a number of pollutants, which will be having a bearing on our community. Two key factors affecting air quality locally is power generation and traffic. On the first we can see some movement as preparations move forward at the North Mole. However, there is no completion date in sight – indeed there are a number of technical challenges facing Govt, which are being addressed, but on this count, we are still some years off from removing the present polluting load from the existing power stations and generators. The ESG is holding a series of meetings with technical experts involved in the new generating station to share our concerns and ideas. The LNG question remains pending and this will also be influencing progress. The Traffic Implementation Plan has not yet seen the light of day even though measures are popping up here and there. Clearly major steps need to be taken to reduce the negative impacts from traffic significantly.

Another issue growing at present is that of bunkering fumes. We have received a number of reports from the Waterport Terraces area and have directed people to contact the relevant authorities. ESG Committee members only this week took a boat ride in the harbour and experienced very strong smells in the vicinity of the mother vessel berthed at the detached mole. We shall be following this up directly with all relevant authorities, as it is really important to safeguard our quality of life as well as our health. With summer upon us such fumes are exacerbated and people need to keep their windows open at home.

The ESG hopes that informed and factual debate will form the basis for discussions during Gibraltar’s elections and that the environment will feature highly. We hope to see NGO’s holding such public discussions so that the community can also hear what the issues are and potential solutions, and not only whose fault it is in the past or present: The present heritage debate on the upper town, being a case in point.

On other matters last months Planning meeting was an interesting one with May’s proving to be equally so. The date for the next meeting is set for 20th May at 9.30am. Its possible that Marina Bay apartments and super yacht application will feature as well as other significant projects. Please note that agendas are posted online at the DPC website a week beforehand, and most importantly if you are lodging an objection, and wish to address the Commission, that you must do this in writing and as soon as possible.

If you would like further information about the ESG and what we do, please contact us via email: esg@gibtelecom.net , visit our website at: esg-gib.net or call 200-48996.

On this weeks Viewpoint programme, a local weekly television programme that discusses current affairs in more depth, the ESG joined the Minister and Shadow Minister for the Environment to discuss the issue of LNG ( Liquid Natural Gas) as a suitable fuel for Gibraltar.

The programme is available online and can be found here:-

http://www.livestream.com/gbctelevision/video?clipId=pla_65f6b105-d3f5-4799-ae86-c97a454e94a9

The ESG attempted  to convey its position that:-

• completion of a new power station is paramount –
• a bold renewable energy programme needs to run parallel to reduce output from new power station incrementally as green energy takes hold –
• that while there could be gains from LNG, that efficiency, by way of turbines over pistons,  energy recovery, and post combustion treatment of both diesel and gas emissions makes them both compliant
• storage of gas is an issue – location – volume – and specifications should be published
• supply of gas is an issue
• concerned that bringing in LNG is further delaying the completion of this critical project
• nurturing LNG bunkering from Gibraltar would not be supported by the group
• reports/studies/assessments on all technical aspects of fuel choice must be released, ideally via a public meeting and presented  by experts advising Government to give full opportunity for informed debate
• Government’s Renewable Energy Strategy should also be presented at this public meeting
• this is too important to be a political hot potato

these and other issues surrounding economic factors and safety were discussed at length in the programme. Check it out!

The debate starts here!

Key words: ESG Wish List 2015, LNG Gas, CUTW 2014 Report

In todays newsletter we’d like to announce some news, which will interest our members and the wider public.

Given the run-up to local elections is now underway, the ESG has held meetings with both political parties and also submitted our 2015 Wish List that includes 14 areas that cover our core aims and objectives. We urge the public to visit our website at esg-gib.net where this document will be posted as from tomorrow.

The Wish List is based on our 2011 paper, carries an interim 2014 review on each issue, gauging progress or inaction, with a 2015 update giving our verdict on “where things stand” regarding the environment in Gibraltar today.

We would just add that for the sake of brevity, in what is unavoidably a long document, we have kept summaries short, and advise anyone with a particular interest or query to contact us for more details.

Some big issues to emerge recently are the new power station fuel choice, specifically gas – and the traffic and transport draft plan.

On the question of gas or LNG storage, the ESG has made our views known by way of previous press releases and in many past newsletters. That is to say that we would like to have sight of technical and H&S documents before issuing a full statement on this matter. We do remain concerned that the present process is breaking down the project into 3 areas: reclamation, power plant, and fuel supply and storage. Although we have been silent on the matter recently, as Govt and Opposition discuss the matter in the media, we reserve our position that more technical details need to be made public so as to give assurance over the levels of safety pledged by those consulted, which are presently swaying Government towards gas, gas storage, and even contemplating bunkering with this fuel in future.

The real question is, can Government revise its present plans if an EIA or technical details demand it? This seems quite a way down the road at present and the ESG is hoping to have a high level meeting with Govt over the next few weeks to discuss this, in detail, face to face.

We have submitted our feedback to GoG on their proposed draft traffic and transport plan believing that implementation; budget and timeframe issues are now vital in converting the proposal into meaningful policy.

Finally, we would like to advise our members, sponsors and volunteers that our CUTW 2014 report is now finalised and will also be posted on our website as from tomorrow, Friday. If anyone listening would like copies of the two reports mentioned in this broadcast please get in touch and we shall try and help.     Thanks for listening!

ESG Newsletter Feb 12^th

Hello- some news on the green front – the ESG welcomes the publication of the Government “Sustainable Traffic, Transport and Parking Plan” – or the STTPP. It’s well worth the read of two hours or so with several ideas on how to tackle hotspots, congestion issues and bring about clearer and calmer streets. As we said in our press release this week many of our transport problems have been detailed with measures proposed, that, if implemented, could begin to change existing transport options to healthier and more environmental choices. This will have the effect of reducing air and noise pollution levels on our streets and also benefit the planet and our purse!!

The public is invited to give feedback on the Plan and will hopefully do so. The idea about creating street metered parking zones to free these up from long-term street parking; introducing safe cycling routes; increase pedestrianisation in certain hotspots in town; the imminent use of the top of the city walls are just some of the examples of how we can move forward and away from chronic traffic problems in Gibraltar. Imagine how many more people will choose to walk or cycle with fewer cars on the roads? The issue of how the end of the runway road, once completed, will impact on overall traffic issues in the northern end of Gibraltar is still not fully understood according to the Plan. This would still require other measures such as Park and Ride and new bus services etc. No doubt tonight’s Viewpoint on GBC will explore these and other recommendations made by the Plan.

Another interesting issue coming up soon next weeks DPC meeting which takes place a little earlier this month – on the 18^th February, at the usual time of 9.30am. The agenda is online at the Town Planning website and the meetings are open to the public. Among agenda items of interest to the ESG is:  details provided on the Waterport Desalination Plant, a proposed Nursing Home at Both Worlds southern site, and a deployment plan presented by Gibtelecom for the 4G antenna service. The ESG has met with Gibtelecom and other Govt departments and agencies in the past few weeks and has been able to discuss matters of concern relating to existing and proposed mast installations and can confirm that discussions are going forward very positively.

As we enter pre-election period, we too, at the ESG, are getting our aims and objectives in order and will be holding a series of meetings with the main political parties to discuss in detail our concerns and recommendations.

Our Wish List has seen several upgrades recently as key issues are constantly evolving but we pledge to have our final document on our website by the end of the month and welcome discussion and questions from anyone with particular interest in any of the 14 subject areas concerned. These include: Climate Change, Energy, Environmental Action and Management Plan, Pollution, Traffic, Recycling and Litter, Waste, Sewage Treatment, Bunkering, Conservation, Mobile Phone Masts and Awareness, Planning, Cross Border Issues, Epidemiological Studies.

Please contact us at 200-48996, mobile 549600000 or email  esg@gibtelecom.net 

Hello-

This will be our last 2014 broadcast…can’t quite believe another year has shot past…definitely encourages one to be philosophical and take stock of where we are.

The ESG has campaigned through the year on our objectives for a healthy and clean environment and looks ahead to 2015 determined to stay the course. Naturally anyone looking at our wish list can see that quite a few of our key goals are being met, even if in the process of, but this is positive and to be welcomed. Our role is to ensure that announcements are followed up with action and completion and so we shall continue to monitor the big issues that concern us such as Cross border pollution, Power Station and energy source, bunkering, waste oil management, transport and traffic, EMF – the invisible pollution, waste water treatment plant, renewable energy, use of Best Available Technology and Gibraltar’s meaningful action on Climate Change. After ten years of clean up we shall also be considering new ideas for this strong community campaign for 2015- watch this space!!

We shall also be reviewing the last Environmental Action and Management Plan issued under the present administration as there are delays in the implementation of a number of highly impacting activity which affects our quality of life and influences our performance on greenhouse gas emissions and therefore on Climate Change. The Transport Plan that will aim to modify vehicular use and promote alternative and clean mobility is yet to be published in spite of a number of public promises.

Nevertheless, the recent awarding of major contracts on the new Power Station and on the Sewage Plant is a clear sign of Government commitment – these will provide radical change in removing pollutants from our skies and seas and cannot come about too soon.

While Govts, civil servants and businesses have important roles to play on environmental issues, we, as individuals and families, could also look to 2015 to see how we can improve our own carbon footprint, wastefulness and habits. Perhaps a pledge at New Years to ramp up our recycling, we don’t need special containers to do this – to use less packaging at the stores, take our own bags, check labels for the most environmentally friendly option, and use energy friendly bulbs, could help improve Gibraltar’s performance too!

With the recent report published by the GHA advocating prevention rather than cure as the way forward for our community, what better than choosing to walk or part walk and bus your journeys whenever you can?

As the great work done by Nazareth House and the GBC Open Day this week demonstrates, our community is relatively affluent and generous in supporting those in need and work done by charities and NGOs. This affluence should also give us breathing space to consider our actions and make the green choice.

Have a great and peaceful Christmas and we would like to thank the community for its continued support of our work and objectives.

“Our mission is to fight for a clean and green Gibraltar”

Al Gore’s visit in 2012 got the world talking about the Rock’s green agenda. Actually, says Janet Howitt of the Environmental Safety Group, activists on the Rock have been looking out for the environment for a long time.

BY NEW STATESMAN PUBLISHED 2 SEPTEMBER, 2014 – 09:34

New Statesman: What’s the history of the Environmental Safety Group (ESG) as an NGO in Gibraltar?

Janet Howitt: We formed in 2000 from a group of citizens who were concerned about the repairs in Gibraltar to a British nuclear submarine, HMS Tireless. The group contained teachers, scientists, engineers and activists. Most of the original group is still with the ESG today. Our mission is to fight for a clean and healthy environment, and to promote environmental issues. We run responsible, effective campaigns to help bring about positive green changes in our community. We have always maintained an apolitical stance: our independent voice is one of our strongest assets.

NS: Would you describe Gibraltar as a “green” place?

JH: Our community is certainly changing. When we first formed, the “environment” was handled as one of 15 separate portfolios under one minister. It was therefore not resourced enough to move forward. One of the biggest efforts we made has been to give a voice to the value of a healthy environment, as well as the need to adhere to environmental legislation and best practice. We organised protests and took to the streets, the schools, industry, wherever we could be heard, and gained considerable membership and public support.

These days, environmental awareness is becoming easier because the internet and social media let people learn about problems and hear about possible solutions. Change is moving faster locally because of action in Europe too. Gibraltar is becoming greener, but we are quite way off to becoming a “green place”.

NS: What are the most pressing environmental issues at the moment?

JH: Gibraltar’s key environmental issues include local and regional factors. Impeding Gibraltar’s easy passage to a greener world is the ongoing political conflict with our neighbour Spain. This means that access to resources and facilities, and developing effective, cross-border management of the Gibraltar Bay environment, is simply not possible.

Traffic issues are a serious problem. There are more cars than people registered in Gibraltar, and our cheap fuel attracts further thousands into Gibraltar each day simply to fill their tanks. This causes roadside pollution and exacerbates an already difficult situation at the border.

We have struggled to meet growing energy demands, which have resulted in dependence on three ageing, fossil-fuelled power stations, well past their sell-by date. Gibraltar also runs a significant bunkering business that has seen year on year growth. It is operated with strict standards, but it’s still an area that we have focused many of our campaigns on, mainly because of noise and air pollution.

We have also lobbied to the European Commission (EC), with the help of international law firm Hassan’s, to draw attention to harmful pollutants produced by the oil refinery and petrochemical plant across the bay in San Roque, and concerns about the health impact this was having. Together with Spanish groups, Hassan’s and, from 2006, the first MEPs to represent Gibraltar in Brussels, we are slowly starting to get the EC to listen. We continue to lodge complaints as and when necessary with the EC.

NS: Do you believe Gibraltar’s political mood is shifting towards greener thinking?

JH: With an ex-activist as Minister for the Environment, there is a lot more discussion and demonstration of intent on a number of environmental measures and initiatives. We are starting to see change filter through the system. It’s early days, but we are more optimistic today than ever before that Gibraltar can “green up”. The Commonwealth Park, opened in the centre of the city this year, is a great achievement. So too are the beginnings of schemes for people to access and install renewable energy systems. More needs to be done to increase ordinary citizens’ access to clean energy, full-stop. But we have started.

NS: Al Gore made a newsworthy visit to Gibraltar’s Thinking Green Conference in 2012, where he applauded the Rock’s environmental commitments. Did his visit have a big impact?

JH: I’m not sure that Al Gore’s visit accomplished what wouldn’t have happened if he hadn’t come. It was obviously interesting to have him visit – at quite a cost. The fact is that our government had already embarked on a policy of intent on various environmental issues. The important thing now is implementation, and this is where we continue to monitor.

NS: Is Gibraltar’s size a hindrance or a help?

JH: Size is definitely a double-edged sword. A small community means you can pull together and literally involve almost everyone in campaigns. You can also access government in a way that is practically impossible in larger countries. However, the fact that it is a small community means that solutions to some problems require things like enforcement and fines, which can be very hard to carry out.

NS: What sort of benefits could “going green” have for a place like Gibraltar? Could there be benefits for nearby Spanish communities?

JH: Going green is already creating economic possibilities. More and more small businesses are gaining confidence to start up in Gibraltar because of the knowledge that new laws and measures are encouraging investment in green solutions. Even recycling, a practice that was never deemed profitable in the past, is now being run at a more substantial level, meaning more opportunities to those wishing to make a living in the trade. This growth will equate to more green jobs, and that means positive spin offs to suppliers and providers in Spain.

NS: Where does Gibraltar see itself in the international agenda to preserve the planet?

JH: The ESG maintains close links with NGOs on both sides of the border, including Greenpeace Spain. We’ve created cross-border groups like the Bay Bucket Brigade, which operated for a number of years collecting air samples to back up our complaints again the CEPSA Oil Refinery in San Roque to the EC. As a long-term member of Clean up the World, the ESG forms part of a global campaign supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

We are more confident today of positive green change than we were five years ago. However, many things have to shift in the way our community behaves – from the main economic pillars that support us, to the decisions we take on development issues and planning. We need a holistic plan for a Gibraltar that embraces best available technology and we need to do this as quickly as possible.

o Well, we now have the publication of the Fishing Report. From an environmental point of view it is unsurprising that the experts require more time and more data before recommending any new regulations be put in place. The marine environment knows no borders and this will not be an easy task to perform. Full transparency and access to information will hopefully influence public opinion and subsequent policy implementation

o Looking around the Bay – and relevant to the region is an annual report just released by a Spanish NGO awarding black flags to 16 locations with dangerous environmental practices in the Cadiz region. You can find more details at 20minutos.es and search for banderas negras. Issues such as industrial chemical discharge and air pollution from nearby, petrochemical installations, to major urbanisation works planned in protected areas such as Valdevaqueros and the entire Tarifa area have earned this award. Bunkering practices in the Alboran Sea, another protected EU area, is also highlighted among several others. Occurring as these are within a desperately failing economy means that environmental monitoring and controls will be much harder to implement. We welcome the efforts by the NGO to nevertheless promote awareness of these serious issues

o Closer to home and Gibraltar sees another energised celebration of World Environment Day where the children tell the rest of us how we should be looking after our planet. This event has gone from strength to strength –well done to all involved! We hope the long anticipated publication of Gibraltar’s own Environmental Action and Management Plan will also see the light of day with our own plan to tackle our environmental issues and impacts

o Concerns have been raised about the mounting piles of household waste at the Public Waste site. We understand this was linked to paperwork issues which are now resolved and normal operations will resume

o Moving on to the next Development and Planning Commission meeting in Gibraltar –taking place next Friday, 14th at 9.00am at the John Mackintosh Hall. Agenda should be posted on the Town Planning website as from tomorrow

o The Flotel is another current issue with concerns about reclamation for a car park area. We are hopeful that while significant works are ongoing at the Ocean Village site that the authorities achieve a rethink of existing plans of reclamation and preserve the water feature – and that this will be announced soon.

o We would like to remind listeners to be careful about using Western Beach. Visit environmental-agency.gi for monitoring data that will confirm the safety of the water quality for bathing for you and your family. Up until a few days ago, the EA was still picking up sewage contamination in the waters at Western. Even in previous years the waters have usually cleaned up by April, not so this time and so diligence is called for. If the samples continue to register pollution it is our view that Government should close the beach

o Remember to watch Channel 5, on the 11th June at 9pm local time for the first of a series of programmes on Gibraltar, and when CUTW day 2012 will feature! See esg-gib.net for more info
Thanks for listening!

In today’s edition we shall talk about current environmental issues as well as look ahead to World Earth Day on the 22nd April. It seems that we are never too far from witnessing or being affected by air or noise pollution. Certainly bunkering fumes seem to be on the rise with many reporting such problems this past week. On investigation there appears to have been a number of possible causes; the Refinery was seen to be belching noxious fumes during N.Westerlies, and closer to home, which is likely to affect us the most, rupturing aging pipe work at the Western Arm led to exposure of acrid diesel product that released fumes throughout the residential areas on the western flank of Gibraltar, causing a serious smell nuisance. While this was reported as having being repaired last Thursday, bunkering type fumes continue to pervade our airspace even these past few days. We continue to report these incidents and ask the public to also send in their reports to the relevant agencies: admin@environmental-agency.gi and gibunksupt@port.gov.gi. Plse also cc us at the esg@gibtelecom.net.

Another matter of growing interest now the hot weather is here is Western Beach and sewage pollution. Anyone visiting official websites on water monitoring know too well the disastrous levels of sewage entering our beach from la Linea right up until a few weeks ago. There was no mention of Western Beach being raised in the recent visit by the Gibraltar Govt to Brussels. We are following up the matter directly with the European Commission once again.

Back to the Refinery again- we were interested to read in a Spanish publication recently the fact that the new owners of the past three years, the Abu Dhabi Sovereign Wealth Fund, has publicly stated it wants to completely overhaul and modernise the plant to bring it up to modern day stds. Wouldn’t that be great? Its clear from recently witnessed flaring that this clean up hasn’t yet started. We are now contacting the new owners to verify any truth in the public statement and also to ask when we can return with our bucket to take air samples. The bucket grabs a bagful, or lungful of air using EPA approved equipment. Sample is sent to an accredited laboratory in the US and analysed for chemical content. Will update on this important issue soon.

Now to Earth Day. This year we are launching an awareness and information campaign on this global environmental day to raise the profile of an issue which affects us all, both inside and outside the home and office – that of radiation exposure from mobile phone masts, cell phones, and general electronic equipment. Our intention is to “have a conversation, locally,” that is taking place throughout the world. How this equipment, as well as providing an ever more versatile service, is also exposing us and our families to unknown health risks from invisible and unknown levels of radiation. We shall use World Earth Day to launch the campaign in Gibraltar, where, today, there is a temporary moratorium on the setting up of new mobile phone masts. Let’s have the conversation. Press releases, Main Street stall and talks are planned. More information and dates released soon.

Thanks for listening- call 54960000 or email esg@gibtelecom.net for more information.

Reports received by the ESG last week continue to come in today with the familiar “bunkering”, rotten egg smells filling our air space, affecting the southern and north western flanks of the Rock. Upon investigations last week we were informed by the official Environment Agency that old disused piping carrying diesel had ruptured at the Western Arm area resulting in old fuel spilling into harbour area. We were informed that the piping had been repaired last Thursday – 4th April – over weekend diesel fumes continued to affect. pretty much everywhere on the western side of Gib -and today we once again detect the nauseating fumes. Naturally we shall follow up with all relevant authorities and see if these offensive fumes can be stopped once and for all.

REMEMBER YOU CAN ALSO CONTACT AGENCIES RESPONSIBLE FOR ACTING ON THESE ISSUES- COPY INFO ONTO YOUR COMPUTER AND USE THEM
Last week Government published new reporting protocols which we welcome. These affect issues such as dumping and severe littering/vandalism as well as numbers for the public to use when affected by foul smells.

There are two separate places/numbers to call as follows:

For littering/vandalism/dumping contact:

Feedback Section based at New Harbours: 200-65964 daytime number -report to be copied to: env.feedback@gibraltar.gov.gi

For foul smells which could come from industry/shipping/port/dockyard/sewage etc.
you are to call:

Environmental Agency daytime : 200-70620 and 58297000 for outside working hours– you are advised to copy report to email addresses: info.environment@gibraltar.gov.gi and admin@environmental-agency.gi.

So now we have three separate emails to use- plse use them all and remember to copy us on everything at esg@gibtelecom.net!!

ESG Radio Newsletter Feb 14th 2013
Hello- in today’s newsletter we continue our focus on our election wish list of 2011.
Last time we looked at issues ranging from climate change to bunkering and how these need to be addressed from a local perspective. Today we look at: sewage treatment, conservation, planning, the environmental action management plan, cross border issues and epidemiological studies. By the way, if you miss any of these bulletins you can always find radio scripts and press releases on our website at: esg-gib.net.
Our environment is precious to us all, it is life giving, and its own health is crucial to our very own quality of life. It is the fundamental premise that drives the ESG in pursuing our aims through lobbying, campaigning and generally promotion of these issues.

• We begin this week with Sewage- not a savoury topic, we know, but a growing problem: to our north, we suffer direct discharge of Spanish sewage into still waters affecting an important beach, to the south, we discharge our entire sewage into open water, untreated, and illegal. The good news is that at recent meetings with the authorities, we understand that we will see action on this front for Gibraltar’s sewage management, at long last but we shall continue to monitor this. Our compliance should hopefully have a bearing in Brussels taking a firmer stand with Spain over La Linea’s sewage problems but we shall continue to keep up the pressure.
• Conservation- the protection of our natural environment is very important to the ESG. We have lobbied for some years now to see tree planting programmes throughout Gibraltar and for the expansion and upkeep of green areas within the urban environment. The Commonwealth Park will provide such a haven in the town centre. It is important that 2013 doesn’t go by without the implementation of recommendations made in the Upper Rock Management Plan produced by GONHS some 8 years ago. We shall continue to lobby for this.
• On Planning the ESG welcomes our seat on the DPC as we have been able to present concerns and recommendations directly within the decision making process. We have called for a review of the planning procedure- the current open nature of the DPC meetings addresses some of our concerns that previously existed. However, with various statutes and aged practices still in place, a new Town Planning Act is overdue and needs to go out to public consultation. Today we are still seeing the fruits of bad planning decisions made in the past. Such bad decisions will have long-term repercussions on our quality of life and that of our children so it’s critical to get the new Town Planning Act just right. For info, next planning mtg on the 19th Feb at 9.30am at the John Mack Hall.
• Next we come to Gibraltar’s Environmental Action and Management Plan. This was first published in February 2011 after the signing up to an Environmental Charter in 2005. At the time we said it did not address all core issues with enough urgency, intent or transparency. Two full years later, and after mtgs and discussions along the way a new, revised version of the Plan is due to be published. We call upon Government to release this without further delay.
• Next in our list is Cross Border issues – a big one, for sure. Just today looking south a thick band of smog sits upon the horizon, to the north, a thick sulphurous band of fumes is discharged from the refinery into a beautiful blue sky, beginning the filthy cycle of daily pollution into the bay environment once again. We had reached an important point some time back with a cross border group of NGOs lobbying a team of politicians apparently willing to listen under the Tripartite Process. Like a house of cards, this collapsed, and we are very much back where we started. We cannot and will not give up. We are in touch with some NGOs in Spain and are discussing joint strategies to continue the fight against bay pollution. This has to be tackled together and we shall persevere.
• Now for Epidemiological Studies. After the Govt funded Epid Report was published, our advisers found the conclusions seriously lacking, and various recommendations were made to Govt at the time, and repeated again to the new administration. Discussions continue on this and we are now of the mind that long-term studies are an integral part of public health understanding and management but that reducing pollution to start with, is probably the more immediate way of bringing about a healthier society – we shall continue to lobby for both.

For more information plse contact us at 200-48996 or 54960000. You can also join up and become a member. Check out our website for more local environmental news and also for a snapshot view of the biggest environmental stories making headlines in Europe today. That’s on esg-gib.net