Hello, today’s newsletter will focus on a number of different issues which we hope you will find of interest.
To begin with news that the Gib Govt is planning to purchase additional generating capacity for our electricity needs is met with concern from several ESG members. Although we were assured by Govt at the turn of this year that the new replacement power station project was underway and would be in place with no further delays, there is no change whatsoever in the present situation to suggest any progress. No ground has been broken and at a key opportunity to demonstrate Govts commitment to proceed and introduce a state of the art replacement power station, we are told, via house proceedings that the project will take between 12 to 24 months with no date of commencement or completion offered. We do not understand why this is the case. Govt needs to realise that the impacts from the three aging stations are dreadful in terms of quality of life for hundreds if not thousands of residents with offending smells and incessant noise levels and the very real risk these pose to health with air emissions proven to cause a variety of health ailments ranging from minor to severe. We need action and we need this now.
Another topic of current interest is the recent launch of the Urban Bike Scheme; a project with many green credentials, which surprisingly, has not rec’d much public reaction. Most of the comments we have rec’d have been of concerns of safety given that our road infrastructure is not planned to be adapted to be used by a considerable increase in bicycle numbers. We do believe that some changes are necessary and have outlined these in our Wish List under Traffic issues. Please refer to this paper on our website. www.esg-gib.net .
Another development of interest and concern to those who care about our natural environment is news from Spanish env. groups of the threat of development of one of the remaining woodlands across the border to us which is often referred to as the military zone – this area provides one of the last green corridors from Alcornocales National Park to the coast and must be protected. The link to a petition against any development in this area and background information can be found on our website and we urge as many people as possible to please sign this.
CUTW programme is now underway with people signing up and plans being laid for the seventh participation by the Gibraltar community. On the negative side, recent marine and field surveys have shown that serious littering and dumping issues continue in out of the way places and so we know we shall have our hands full once again this year.
You can help us clean our homeland and beautiful coastal environment by calling 200-48996 or mobile 54960000. Also email details through to esg@gibtelecom.net and we shall get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you.
Related to CUTW this year is a brand new workshop being held in conjunction with the Summer Sports Programme at the Sports Complex. One of our colleagues is holding Green Workshops with young children focusing on creativity and learning about our world and need to look after it. With this year’s CUTW theme being: “Our Place, Our Planet, Our Responsibility”, the workshop aims to promote these important aims while at the same time providing an enjoyable and creative experience. There is still time to enrol your child by contacting Anna Maza on 54024321. You can also email details to: ania.maza@gmail.com
A reminder to all CUTW team leaders that we shall be holding our first key planning meeting in early August. Details will be sent to all teams.
One quick word to those listening with concerns of ongoing air pollution or sewage at sea is that the Environmental Agency has now set up an answering service to direct callers to appropriate numbers outside of office hours. The number to call is 200-70620.
That’s it for now. Thanks for listening.
