Another Environmental Barbarity by the PP

Los Verdes of Orihuela consider that it is totally unacceptable that on the 3rd March 2009 the ruling PP government team assigned the plot of land registered as I-EQ-1 within the PAU-26 Sector 2 “Los Almendricos” of Orihuela Costa, to UTE-SUFI-LIASUR-GOBANCAST, the new company which won the contract for the collection, treatment, transport and elimination of urban rubbish within the Orihuela Municipality, to enable the construction of an Eco-park and associated services, including buildings, on the parcel of land, in accordance with clause 8 of the conditions of the contract.

The facility (Eco-park) will occupy an area of approximately 15,000 sq. mtrs. of which 1,500 will be used for buildings, including storage and offices.


The plot (I-EQ-1) is located on the border of the Entre Golf housing complex, between it and the AP-7 Motorway with only the width of a road between it and the residential housing!


Los Verdes respect the value of this wooded area, shown in the attached photographs, which is in front of a substantial housing estate, as an accustic barrier, because of its geographical layout and the height of the trees, against the traffic noise from the AP-7 Motorway. Its industrial use (Eco-park) would necessitate the removal of the trees and alteration of the lie of the land. This would be detrimental to the wellbeing of the residents of the area.

The nuisance effects of the construction and subsequent continual daily operation of the Eco-park (noise, traffic movement and the volume of large vehicles, fumes, rubbish) on the residents of the area, some as close as 50 metres to the complex, will be detrimental to their quality of family life. Within a distance of less than 75 metres of the proposed industrial developement is a childrens recreation park with seating area!

Likewise it must also be taken into consideration that the adjacent plot of land, some 15,517 sq mtrs, which is the designated green zone of PAU 3 (exchanged with PAU-26), is being illegally used as a transition point for rubbish by the current company Colsur SL. This area is already devoid of trees, and the environment destroyed, and therefore more readily available to be used as the Eco-park complex if it really has to go in this area.


Therefore Los Verdes request the Council that an exchange is made between the use of the two plots of land, in that the PAU-26 area is used for the Eco-park and that the parcel I-EQ-1 is designated as a green zone to avoid another disaster for the environment. At least by leaving this plot in it's natural state it would it would act as a protective shield between the homes and the Eco-park!

Opponents of GM crops protest in Spain

Thousands of people have taken to the streets of the Spanish city of Zaragoza calling for a ban on the use of genetically modified crops.

They want their government to follow Germany’s lead in banning GM maize. Berlin’s action is against EU rulings that the biotech grain is safe.

The use of GMOs in agriculture is a hugely controversial issue across the EU. Opponents say there are health concerns to be addressed while supporters say it is a perfectly safe and efficient way of meeting Europe’s food needs.

Zaragoza is a major centre of GM research and production. Forty percent of 80,000 hectares devoted to GM maize in Spain are in the Zaragoza region.

Greenhouse Gases Pose Threat To Public Health, EPA Finds

Well we will all be saved from Climate Change now that the USA has officially accepted that the problem exists.

Now there is no reason for non-action by the major pollution producing country to curb Greenhouses Gas emisions!

ScienceDaily (Apr. 18, 2009) — After a thorough scientific review ordered in 2007 by the U.S. Supreme Court, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a proposed finding on April 17 that greenhouse gases contribute to air pollution that may endanger public health or welfare.

The proposed finding, which now moves to a public comment period, identified six greenhouse gases that pose a potential threat. “This finding confirms that greenhouse gas pollution is a serious problem now and for future generations.

The scientific analysis also confirms that climate change impacts human health in several ways. Findings from a recent EPA study titled “Assessment of the Impacts of Global Change on Regional U.S. Air Quality: A Synthesis of Climate Change Impacts on Ground-Level Ozone,” for example, suggest that climate change may lead to higher concentrations of ground-level ozone, a harmful pollutant. Additional impacts of climate change include, but are not limited to:

• increased drought;
• more heavy downpours and flooding;
• more frequent and intense heat waves and wildfires;
• greater sea level rise;
• more intense storms; and
• harm to water resources, agriculture, wildlife and ecosystems.

Tom Leonard in an article in the Telegraph writes:

America has signalled a fundamental shift in its stance on global warming with a declaration from the Obama administration that greenhouse gases are a threat to public health.

The statement issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency is expected to pave the way for new regulations of cars, power plants, building sites and factories by identifying carbon dioxide and five other gases as pollutants.

Environmental groups applauded it as a landmark decision that would allow Barack Obama to meet his call for a low carbon economy but industry groups warned that the so-called "endangerment finding" could cripple the struggling US economy.

America is the world's biggest producer of greenhouse gases but, under the Bush administration, Washington consistently downplayed the threat from global warming and stalled the EPA finding.

Campoamor Market Rubbish Spoils Agua Marina Promenade

Whilst it is important that the Campoamor Market is successful, what we don't want is for it to spoil the environment around it because of litter left by the stall holders and shoppers, but that is just what is happening!



On a walk along the Paseo Marítimo in Agua Marina I noted a substantial quantity of litter spoiling the cliff edge alongside the promenade as can be seen from the photographs. It is obvious that the vast majority of this has originated from the market which is held in Calle Fuego.



The litter being seen here has three causes, firstly that some of the stall holders fail to clean away all their rubbish correctly, secondly that the Council fails to ensure that the area is cleaned properly after the market has finished, and thirdly that a small minority members of the public can't be bothered to take their shopping rubbish home.

This unacceptable situation will be brought to the attention of the Ayuntaniento in Orihuela Costa with a request that the rubbish is cleared without delay.

What is the Story of Stuff?

"From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It'll teach you something, it'll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever."

Although this presentation uses American based analogies the principles relate to the World and I think is well worth the time to view it. I think it certainly makes you think!

Watch it NOW!

Environment crimes directive enters into force

The arrival of a law that makes serious and life-threatening pollution a crime.

Discharging poisonous substances into the air, dumping toxic waste and trading in protected birds or animals, come one step closer to being criminal offences across the EU today (26 December), as a law on environmental crimes comes into force.

From today the EU's 27 member states will have two years to come up with “effective, proportionate and dissuasive criminal penalties” against people responsible for pollution that causes death, serious injury or major damage to the environment. Companies will be held liable for acts committed by people they employ.

Europeanvoice.com