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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thanks for listening.

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

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

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

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

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

SEE BELOW ENGLISH TEXT FROM LEAFLET

THE FLARES  – EVERYTHING YOU SHOULD KNOW:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mercury
And many more.

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

JUNE 2006

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

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

.

Picture supplied courtesy of John Sanchez

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

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

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

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

ESG Radio Broadcast wk beginning 1^st August 2022

Hello, what a time it has been for those dealing with the terrible fire which affected our water production and consequent total loss of potable water for a sizeable minority. For those with no water for 4 days it really rammed home how quickly life can change without this vital resource. Luckily many more people are now back with water today and hopefully those remaining will have their supply finally restored.

So we hope we can turn our minds to other matters, but, before we do that, we would also like to thank all the frontline services, AquaGib, Government officials, the media and our major supermarkets for going the extra mile in helping the community cope with this very worrying situation.

Serious questions remain over the cause of the fire and how this happened with potentially devastating consequences only brought back by the sheer effort and risks taken by our frontline workers. The large-scale storage of flammable materials and their management should also be carefully reviewed including security for all access to our tunnel systems. We hope that all recommendations put forward by the frontline emergency services, whose lives are most risk from industrial accidents, will be taken on-board.

Clearly a spike in plastic bottle use has also resulted and we urge the public to make use of the yellow recycling bins to dispose of unwanted plastic bottles and containers.

The issue of waste and litter leads us to the launch of this years Clean up the World. The date is the 17^th September in support of the worldwide weekend of community action.  This will be Gibraltar’s 19^th nationwide clean up organised by the ESG and is already gathering momentum. Please send in your interest to participate to:-  esg@gibtelecom.net. You can register a team or sign up as an individual and more details will be sent to you.

In our next broadcast we will be covering Climate Change and regular ESG features coming up in local media, Air pollution and the need for wider monitoring of industrial zones and how idling our engines will soon be an illegal offence in Gibraltar due to a new law announced in parliament recently.

Thanks for listening – please visit esg-gib.net for more information on issues covered by the ESG.

The ESG is concerned to see the fire break out in a tunnel system off Europa Advance Road.

With area evacuated and emergency response teams standing by, the group calls for a statement by Government to assure the public of the source of the smoke and likely components of the burning material. It will also be important to verify the cause of this incident once an investigation has taken place.

 ESG Press Release

New Lease for Dockyard for Balaena Propco Limited

26^th May 2022 

The ESG welcomes the statement released yesterday by the Chief Minister on the renewal of the lease for the Dockyard.

This renewal has been long awaited and the group notes the various references made in the statement regarding environmental improvements and measures to safeguard surrounding neighbourhoods from dockyard activities going forward. It also welcomes the ‘cold ironing’ facility that will allow vessels to ‘plug in’ and reduce idling at berth, or in dry-dock.

The ESG has long called for environmental management of the Dockyard emissions to equal those of modern day industry pollution controls.

The group considers that publication of the lease terms and operating permit would reassure the public of the pollution controls and monitoring measures in place. It should provide details of the enforcement tools available should the new Dockyard operator fail to meet the terms of the new agreement.

The long-suffering south district residents deserve no less.

UPDATE:- Government replied Lease that details were being provided on the Parliament Site. You can access link here:-

https://www.parliament.gi/uploads/contents/papers_laid/2022/dockyard_new_lease.pdf

With news in the media of a planning application for Witham’s Air Monitoring Station to be relocated at Devil’s Tower Road and not in the NW zone of Gibraltar as pledged, the ESG has to express its disappointment with this decision.

It is vital to have good quality air monitoring data from the Port and North Mole area given the many pollution sources from shipping, power station and skid generators and we are making representations to the Minister and his department over the pressing need for this to happen and for information to be publicly available.