ESG Radio newsletter 19th April 2012

• We start with a reminder to all that Western Beach remains closed to the public as long as official water testing confirms unsafe levels of sewage contamination present – which is still the case and placing this attractive and safe bathing area out of bounds to our community. Families have been using this beach recently in hot weather exposing tiny children to the risk of picking up potentially serious infection. Govt is adamant that the beach is closed but there is no barrier in place only a small sign which is easy to miss as you walk on to the beach. We shall be calling upon Govt to discuss this further. In recent exchanges of correspondence with the EU we can advise that this matter is being actively pursued in Brussels but progress is unacceptably slow and we shall be holding a meeting with all concerned shortly to review what else can be done about this

• Govt has issued a press statement this week on activity taking place over the next few weeks at the Nature Port Plant which exploded last year. The tanks are to be cleaned and we presume removed and we would also like to urge those listening to be conscious of the fumes produced during the cleaning process, which we are told will be done as carefully as possible. However if any issues arise from this please get in touch by calling 200-48996 or 54960000

• A reminder that the next public meeting of the Development and Planning Commission will be held next Thursday the 26th April at 9.30am at the Charles Hunt Room at the John Mackintosh Hall. The agenda is usually published by the Town Planners a few days beforehand so make sure you check it carefully in case there is any item of particular interest or concern to you. You will find this at: gibraltar.gov.gi/dpc

• Interesting to hear about the CEPSA Oil Refinery Exercise this week to test its oil spill response capabilities at sea. It is welcome to hear that such practices are now being carried out by an industry that has repeatedly ignored most environmental regulations and best practice for the past few decades! Another development of interest in the Campo area was the recent publication of a Junta de Andalucía funded report on cancer and mortality data for the Campo area. We are currently assessing this report along with Spanish groups and our expert advisers and will be sharing our conclusions as soon as possible

• It’s difficult not to comment on the potential resolution of the fishing dispute which is currently ongoing. While cynics may doubt that this is a worthy battle with a fruitful outcome, the recent discussions on EU compensation on lost earnings may yet provide a solution. We still need to be starkly aware that the wider marine environment and fishing practises inside and out of the EU is a frightening scenario of unsustainable raping of the worlds fish stocks. We simply shift the problem somewhere else. Of course we support the need to protect our marine environment and hope that it will be resolved positively

• We are pleased to note the recent actions taken by the Ministry for the Environment and his team to improve Gibraltar’s environmental performance. As we approach World Earth Day 2012, which we hope to recognise with a mini clean up, and where the local branch of FOE have been urging individuals to be more mindful of our own actions, Govt has launched a long awaited awareness drive on recycling via television adverts to encourage the public to make use of the recycling facilities on the Rock. Details of bin locations are posted by the ESG for some years now on the telephone Directory “About Gibraltar” section but you can of course find out more details directly from Govt departments.

• Saturday’s Chronicle carried a detailed article on Gibraltar’s energy production and power stations where we highlighted our concerns about the present situation in response to questions by the paper. We shall be issuing a statement soon on energy matters on the Rock

• Finally you can keep up to date with key environmental developments in Gibraltar and the bay area by logging on to esg-gib.net – and if you missed hearing this entire broadcast you can read it in full online on our website! Thanks for listening

Western Beach 9th April the pretty picture belies the filth beneath the surface

The public is reminded that Western Beach continues closed due to faecal contamination from la Linea which carries sewage from estates which are illegally connected to a storm drain pointing towards Western Beach. While efforts are being made by the ESG and MEP’s to see this situation resolved once and for all the fact remains that swimming off this beach could affect your health and that of others if infection develops.

Picture here emphasises the importance of keeping the most vulnerable AWAY from this pollution – picture taken Monday 9th April on a hot sunny day with recent water sample data (latest available and pre-rains is of the 3rd April showing levels of sewage to be illegal and over the safety limit. Rain creates more sewage outflow and fairly heavy rainfall was experienced in the area post 3rd April)

Check out Environmental Agency website for latest on water quality:-
http://www.environmental-agency.gi/beachresult.php?beachid=6

ESG Radio Newsletter Thursday 15th December 2011

Hello, it’s good to be back with you after a very interesting and busy gap. We have seen a lot of
activity in our community recently with the culmination of the hustings and a change of
Government after-a very tightly fought election.

During the campaign it was refreshing to hear people from all sides stepping forward and raising
issues which matter deeply to the community, in an intelligent and informed manner. However, it
has highlighted the glaring absence of such debate in between elections – these important issues
have traditionally then fallen to NGO’s and Associations to prioritise and make public. Let’s hope
however, that all those candidates who so passionately shared their aspirations and ideas with us –
the public- will continue to do so for the betterment of our community. Maybe we need a Question
Time Programme in Gibraltar where different issues are focused on every week or fortnight with an
invited audience and informed panel?? !

Or maybe this is what will happen in Parliament if we are to have the numerous sittings
promised, and televised at that. What is clear is that the community should not be fed an obscene
amount of information during a 7 day period before making such important decisions as electing a
government into office for the next four years.

The ESG submitted a detailed Wish List to all parties and this is our working document which we
shall now take up with renewed energy with the new Minister for the Environment. With meetings
starting soon, we hope to continue working hard to realise as many of our aims and objectives as
possible. Look out for updates on our website esg-gib.net.

Obviously Government has much to do on the environment. Sewage pollution is a serious matter
and we now have three no-go areas in Gibraltar due to this problem -Western Beach, Mid Harbour
area and of course, Europa Point.. With today’s data on the Env Agency Website showing Western
Beach to be carrying dangerous levels of pollution once again, we strongly urge everyone to avoid
entering the waters in that area for either for bathing or for water sport purposes. We shall also be
pressing for Govt to close this beach. Mid Harbour area with the influx of residents into new
estates, is suffering from dreadful levels of sewage pollution, this time from infrastructural
problems of our own at Line Wall Road. It demands that urgent action is taken and we were pleased
to hear this week that this problem should be repaired within two weeks. If only we could do the
same for Western Beach,

but that is another story

For those of you interested and concerned about maritime safety it was very positive to note that the
Maritime Agency is giving serious consideration to making piloting compulsory for vessels leaving
as well as ·entering Gibraltar waters. This has been one of our aims for some years and so we
welcome hearing that this will soon become a reality and increase maritime safety in our waters.
The ESG will also be making representations to Govt over complaints we have received from local
staff working at the border over the extreme levels of air pollution caused by slow or gridlocked
traffic due to border controls and how this is affecting people’s wellbeing. A very serious matter to
those affected and needs urgent attention. Perhaps some controls and notices to all drivers to switch
off engines when not moving could help as well as other measures to be explored.

Of course we couldn’t finish today without mentioning Christmas. This will be our last newsletter
until 2012 and so I would like to convey warm wishes to one and all on behalf of the ESG, thank
our members, sponsors and supporters for the work we have been able to achieve this past year and
for stepping forward to support various yampaigns and actions. Let’s keep working together for a
cleaner and healthier environment.

ESG Radio Newsletter 1st December 2011

Hello- sitting here in the beautiful Alameda Gardens I can honestly say that the ESG is extremely pleased to see the pledges made by all political parties to green up Gibraltar. This plays a major influence on our quality of life and on the quality of our air. The extra shade that more trees and plants will provide during the long hot summer months will undoubtedly bring great relief to all.
Moving on from there we are also aware and pleased to see that our year round lobbying efforts and detailed Wish List, which has been discussed at length with all political parties, is also resulting in many of our core aims and issues appearing in all manifestos.
Signs of progress we earnestly hope!

This week we have seen reason to publish a number of press statements on various issues and includes the unanimous pledge by all parties to ban bunkering on the eastern side of Gibraltar. The Coalition against such practices is delighted with this result and strongly believes Gibraltar’s environment will benefit from the decision.

We have also jointly commented, (alongside Western Beach users) on the worsening state of Western Beach waters, particularly as many of our civic minded citizens have launched their charity swims or dives from this beach very recently. We have urged Government to close down this beach during what will undoubtedly be a return of dangerously high levels of sewage in the area. This issue needs to be resolved!

We have also commented publicly on the Nature Tank Fire reports and our full press release on this can be found on our website. We urge the public concerned about these issues to please visit our site: esg-gib.net for further information.

Ending on a positive note, the ESG has been very busy these past few weeks with talks to numerous associations and clubs, a cleanup with the Heritage Trust, GreenChange and concerned citizens at Witham’s Cemetery, and also focusing on a greener Xmas with special talks delivered by one of our younger active members Chelsea Edwards.

We hope you also caught our first ever Clean Up Film screened by GBC last week. Don’t worry if you didn’t as they have promised to show it again soon. We are also preparing the film footage to be able to post this on our website.

That’s all for now. Thank you for listening

Calls to Close Western Beach
30th November 2011

ONE YEAR ON and NOTHING HAS CHANGED. This is the situation at Western Beach.

“Actually, that statement is not true”, said Karen Everett of the Western Beach Group, “I can no longer call myself a Western Beach user as I have not used the beach for over a year. I cannot use the beach as I think the risk to health is just too dangerous”.

In fact the situation has changed, it has got worse. Most of Gibraltar’s beaches have been affected by different levels of sewage contamination in the water over the summer.
The Campaigners against sewage into the Western Beach area consider it necessary to remind the public that once again in the winter months the levels of contamination discharged into the beach substantially increases. The situation radically worsens when there is rainfall, and even a small amount of rain washes a great deal of RAW SEWAGE into the water. Yet another charity swim took off from Western Beach last weekend. This was on the same day that reports were received from residents in the area of terrible smells and the sight of a sewage sheen covering most of the western bay area.
Campaigners call for the closure of this beach during the winter period until such time as all discharges are stopped or sealed off. The beach was closed last year due to the risk to public health and nothing has changed suggesting the beach should be closed this winter too.

The groups also note that data continues to be scant on the Environmental Agency website and are certain that if more sampling was done the evidence will be all too clear. It is also important for Gibraltar to be collecting this data to help support the Official Complaint and Petition currently under review at the European Commission with support from Sir Graham Watson. “We need this data to help maintain pressure to try and get this cross border problem resolved,” said Karen.

Both the Western Beach Group and the ESG call for the immediate closure of the beach believing it to be the only way to limit use of the waters during this period, when illnesses could be caused in our community.

The ESG has been busy on various fronts recently.

-Since the major Clean Up in September, when we learned about the volume of accumulated plastic waste washed up on the shores of Seven Sisters Cove, we arranged further clean ups and have so far removed six skips worth of harmful debris which could return to the sea. We would like to advise the public that there is a skip currently on the beach. It is full of rubbish collected by our volunteers and has been covered and secured with a tarpaulin to prevent any been blown out in stormy weather. We hope this skip will be removed soon.

Thanks again to the various services that have helped our volunteers tackle this inaccessible area- namely: GibDock, the MoD, GDP and the Gibraltar General Support Services ltd.

-Our concerns about the waste at Seven Sisters is because much of it is polystyrene used in packaging which breaks down quite rapidly into something called nurdles which mimic plankton in colour, shape and form and is easily mistaken for food by birds and marine life which are all part of the food chain. The material also attracts oil present in water adding to the toxicity of the broken down material ingested by marine life.

-Somewhere along the line we could all be eating polystyrene, what a thought! The fact is Gibraltar is surrounded by sea- we do not recycle plastic- instead, we continue to send this to a temporary dump where it then gets loaded onto trucks and off to the separation plant in Los Barrios. Yes, some of this will be recovered but a lot of this will go to landfill. While at our local dump, some of the plastic will fly onto the cliffs and surrounding seas adding to the soup of lethal waste currently entering the world’s oceans. According to several authoritative studies 75% of debris found at sea comes from land based sources.

Visit our website which is currently carrying a short video on the home page precisely on the impacts of plastic at sea. www.esg-gib.net.

Sewage Issues:

As if this wasn’t enough our seas are also expected to cope with the return of storm drain sewage from la Linea as various reports to the ESG highlight this pollution is now making itself felt at various parts of Gibraltar’s coastline. Clearly our neighbours do not have sufficient funds to deal with this issue and we shall continue to be affected until the municipality is resourced to deal with this cross border issue. We shall continue to do what we can to help resolve this issue and are currently discussing plans with beach users as well as MEP’s to see what is possible. Of course, Gibraltar needs to also get to grips with our own sewage treatment plant Govt promised to set up many years back.

CEPSA:

It’s also worth mentioning that CEPSA appears to have had an oil leak recently in the area of Puente Mayorga, a residential area highly vulnerable to any mishaps at the plant. The company denied culpability and local campaigners, Ecologistas en Accion, challenged this in the Spanish media. Thankfully, it wasn’t a large spill but nevertheless it also ended up at sea washing up in nearby beaches too.

CUTW the Movie:

We would like to end our broadcast with a few positive messages: our CUTW movie is almost ready hopefully by the end of this month and we hope it will prove to be an inspiring and informative tool to ensure the message of the CUTW weekend prevails throughout the year. Our team is busy putting in the final touches and it is looking really good!

Recycle.gi:

This morning saw the ESG paying a visit to a local green company called Recycle.gi. During a busy two hour period around 3 tonnes of paper and cardboard was loaded up on a truck for export to a designated centre in Algeciras. An impressive amount of valuable paper and cardboard waste that will be processed and re-used. It was a very positive experience for the onlooker but really hard work for the company that has coped with a lot of difficulty dealing as it does, with an international border known for its problems and delays. Border inspections also add to the workload seeing the company needing to offload if not all the haul, then part to allow full inspection by Spanish customs. Nevertheless Recycle.gi is committed to their business and the ESG was very impressed with the professionalism and efficiency in their operation. Visit Recycle.gi if you want to learn more about what this young, green company is all about.

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.

Contents: Air pollution, Power Stations Delay, CUTW Planning, Sewage at Sea

ESG radio broadcast Thursday 4th August 2011

The ESG continues to be concerned about the intolerable levels of air pollution affecting several neighbourhoods in Gibraltar. The situation is getting from bad to worse with no reaction from Government to our pleas for public updates on an issue of huge public interest.

Our culture is changing, people are thinking more about their health and fitness yet running, cycling or even walking in Gibraltar in certain areas could seriously threaten your health! For residents affected principally by the large polluting power stations this isn’t even the issue- simply being able to open your windows and relax in your own home would be a massive improvement.

A year ago the European Commission threatened legal action against the UK due to Gibraltar and a UK city failing to meet safe levels of pollution. This referred to nitrogen dioxide as well as rising levels of particulate matter. These pollutants are controlled because of the severity of impact on people’s health. We ask where are we now regarding this environmental problem.

Instead of acting on solutions to reduce his historic, harmful pollution we find ourselves with additional generating capacity increasing localised pollution, and no visible signs that the new power station project is getting off the ground…. It does call for action and focus on this issue which affects every man, woman and child and which has a local solution.

Let’s hope that 2011 will see renewed vigour, energy and sense of purpose from the driving seat in Govt to get to grips with these issues. We are fed up of calling for action and we want change now!

On other news, we are very pleased to report that CUTW is receiving strong support from our usual group of volunteers and have been able to add quite a few new teams to our ranks! This is great news and we look forward to our first planning session in earnest next Tuesday 9th August at 7pm. This is being held at the John Mackintosh hall, Charles Hunt Room. You are welcome to come along to the meeting where we shall hold a short presentation on the CUTW Campaign in general and the achievements attained over the years – We shall discuss the glaring issues which continue to cause problems and degradation in our environment, and will share ideas for long term solutions and actions. The really inspiring side to this campaign is that it brings together people from all walks of life who are keen to give practical help to make our homeland cleaner, greener and smarter all round. If you think you can help us achieve these aims then please come along to the meeting and register for the

17th September CUTW day of action.

Don’t worry if you can’t make the 9th as there will be at least one more major meeting before the clean up. You can also register by emailing us on esg@gibtelecom.net and we shall get in touch with you.

A final word on sewage in our waters, as we continue to receive calls from concerned citizens who are worried about using our beaches due to possible sewage contamination. We are assured once again by the Env Agency that east side beaches are being sampled at least twice weekly but that we can expect to see the increase in data posted on the EA website as from Monday. It is important that people check the site as we are experiencing higher levels of pollution at most of our beaches than has ever been recorded. Checking the site will enable people to decide where to go and cool off on these excruciatingly hot days. Visit the site at environmental-agency.gi for further details.

We shall be issuing press releases this week on other environmental issues of interest so why not check our website at esg-gib.net for info, call us on 200-48996 or 54960000 and we shall be very pleased to hear from you.
Thanks for listening

ESG Press Release August 4th 2011

SUMMER POLLUTION WOES

The ESG wishes to add its voice to the many in our community who are expressing concern over the increase in pollution experienced both in the air we are breathing and the waters we are bathing in.
It’s clear that while Gibraltar does undergo many improvements and facelifts in various areas around the Rock the day to day filth and grime, dog waste, air pollution as well as sewage in the seas continue to mar a place we should all be proud of.

Many people continue to complain about dog urine and faeces, about sewage levels in our seas, and about the abhorrent levels of air pollution prevalent in several hotspots around Gibraltar. The ESG believe there are solutions to these problems and these require attention and action from the authorities.

We hear people say they no longer feel able to complain because they feel nothing will change. The ESG disagrees most strongly with this and believes we should strive to be that shining example and make every effort to achieve positive change. Some of the changes also have to come from the public, but investment/facilities/direction and enforcement are the responsibility of the authorities and requires political will to see these through.

Indeed as well as the authorities all our local politicians are ultimately responsible either from inaction while in positions of responsibility or inaction in holding the administration to account as is their duty if they feel things could be done differently. All our local politicians must move on from being partisan and confrontational to being facilitators and leaders at least with regards to the environment and quality of life which knows nothing of political associations and is shared by all.
Let’s get our basics right and provide a healthy environment in which to raise our families.