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"L'APOSTA"
("THE BET")
ENERGY
- REDUCTION
OF DOMESTIC WASTES
- COMPOST
COURSES -
WATER
- STUDY
OF THE MARINE TURTLE
- MARINE
AND SHORELINE ECOSYSTEMS
- SUSTAINABLE
AGRICULTURE
-
THE LOCAL AGENDA 21
- PROTECTED
AREAS -
THE
USE OF TOXIC PRODUCTS
- EARTH
DAY
-
ANNUAL
PRIZE GIVING
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"L'APOSTA" (THE BET") is a campaign by the schools to fight climate change. The school children undertake to reduce their emissions in accordance with the Kyoto Protocol, to prove that it isn't as difficult as their governments make out. They undertake an energy audit of their school and then try to reduce the energy consumption by implementing a number of changes, like recycling paper, turning off lights or reducing heating. After 6 months, the savings are calculated and converted into their CO2 equivalents. In the 2002/2003 school year, 10 schools in Eivissa and Formentera reduced their emissions of CO2 by 60.827 kilos (60,8 tones) in 6 months. |
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With more than 2000 hours of sun a year, the use of solar power is the most intelligent choice for any Mediterranean island. New installations using solar energy now receive good subsidies and the new laws allow you to sell your "green" energy to the electrical company at relatively high prices. Few people realise that you can run a normal modern household with a modest independent photovoltaic installation: washing machines, vacuum cleaners, power tools etc. Amics de la Terra continues topromote this clean energy source.
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REDUCTION OF DOMESTIC WASTES AND RECYCLING The islands of Ibiza and Formentera produce 2.2 kilos of waste per inhabitant a day, when the average in Spain is 1 kilo. Of this amount only 3% is recycled. Amics de la Terra carries out educational activities in the schools to promote a reduction in domestic wastes and to develop recycling habits in the young. |
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Objective: To extend the practice of domestic composting. Since 1999, we have been cooperating with different administrations to promote home composting, offering courses and workshops in schools and to the general population. Turning organic domestic waste into compost allows us to reduce the volume of domestic wastes by 45% as well as providing a useful product to improve soil quality. 160 families in Eivissa have learned to make compost with our method and 360 families in Formentera (30% of the stable population). Are you interested? If you want to participate in a compost course or wish to obtain a compost bin, get in contact with us. Also available: Basic Guide to Compost Making.
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Like all Mediterranean countries, Eivissa and Formentera suffer from a severe water shortage. The rainfall pattern is very variable and rain that falls during torrential storms is difficult to take advantage of. The spectacular increase in the population in the last 50 years, with mounting water consumption, has produced a very negative situation where a great deal more water is consumed than we receive in rainfall. The majority of underground water reserves have been overexploited resulting in sea water intrusion, and as a consequence are now contaminated with salt water. The distribution network accounts for losses of up to 40 % of the total. And an incredible 90 % of the water that is treated by the sewage plants and could be used for irrigation, is pumped into the sea! The construction of new seawater desalination plants which run on fossil fuels isn't a sustainable option, since these plants consume a great deal of energy thus adding to the problem of climate change. AMICS DE LA TERRA continues to call attention to this situation, organising talks, participating in commissions and conferences to help bring about change. |
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STUDY OF THE MARINE TURTLE Objective: The project involved studying the population of marine turtles off the coast of Formentera to determine their origin and also in designing an apparatus to prevent the turtles being trapped and killed by commercial tuna fishing fleets, presently one of the main causes of mortality .The project was financed by SA NOSTRA and the diving centre VELL MARÍ. During the period of a year, a working group ventured into the open sea to the South of Formentera, to catch turtles and take blood samples from them. They were then immediately released. The blood was later sent to labs where it was analysed using a method which made it possible to determine the origin of each turtle. A prototype was developed which prevents the turtle from swallowing the hook, while as the same time not interfering with the normal fishing of the target species. The device is now being tested on a commercial craft.
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MARINE AND SHORELINE ECOSYSTEMS The Mediterranean is suffering a slow death caused by contamination by toxic wastes and sewage. Added to this is the damage caused by drag net fishing and closer to our coasts, the damage caused by pleasure boats and yachts anchoring in fragile areas. These factors, and the officially sanctioned practice of creating artificial sand beaches, are causing massive damage to marine ecosystems, in particular to the "forests" of sea grass known as Posidonia oceanica. These are ecosystems of great importance for marine biodiversity and for the conservation of coastal ecosystems. Amics de la Terra has edited a children's book about the importance of this marine plant: "EL TRESOR DE POSIDÓ". The book forms part of the Life-Posidonia programme of the European Union. Comunidad de posidonia - Mediterráneo Xarxa de Monitorització de les Praderies de Posidonia oceanica de les Illes Balears
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Our present system of food production is not sustainable. It is the cause of a multitude of health and environmental problems: the contamination of both aquifers and soil with nitrates and pesticides, the effects of dangerous agrochemicals on both consumers and farmers and the increase in epidemics such as mad cow disease. In addition, food often travels thousands of miles before it reaches our dinner table. Food miles which only add to the problems of climate change. Organic farming is the only sustainable option, together with the consumption of local products. Multinationals must not be allowed to dictate what food we eat, how much we pay for it, how it is grown and where. |
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The Agenda 21 is an instrument of public participation which is designed to achieve sustainable economic and social development compatible with the protection of the environment and natural resources. Amics de la Terra participates actively in the Agenda 21 Local of Sant Antoni and Vila, and supports the implementation of Agenda 21 programmes in the other municipalities.
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Land speculation and construction are a constant threat to natural and protected areas in Eivissa and Formentera. We continue to denounce illegal building, as well as other activities which damage the environment: dumping of rubbish or used building materials; removal of sand from the beaches or mining in protected areas. Unfortunately these occur all too frequently. Forest fires also threaten our pine woods especially during summer months. The pine trees are highly resinous and the dense underbrush is easily ignited in the dry months when temperatures are high. Since the majority of fires are caused by negligence, we need to be aware of how to prevent them occurring.
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Every year Amics de la Terra denounces the administration's use of herbicides by to clear the roadside verges of vegetation. They claim it is cheaper than other methods, such as mowing or trimming the plants. However, the neighbouring island of Menorca has chosen to stop using these herbicides and has found that local wild flowers are returning to the roadside verges. Surely this option is more intelligent. The result is a more beautiful countryside, and since we depend on tourism for our income, improving our image is to every ones benefit.
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Every year Amics de la Terra organises the celebration of Earth Day in Ibiza, inviting the groups and other organizations who defend the environment to join in a variety of activities. The celebration is held in Vara de Rey or the Plaça del Parc in Eivissa town. Together we offer live music, games for children, exhibitions about permacultura, solar energy, local artisan work, organic products, etc. |
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Each year, the members of Amics de la Terra select the winner of the prize AMIC DE LA TERRA (Friend of the Earth). This prize is given to the person or group of people who have most benefited the environment of the island by their work. The negative prize: ENEMIC DE LA TERRA (Enemy of the Earth) is given to the person or group of people who have done most damage to the environment, either directly by their actions, or indirectly … by their decisions. |
MORE INFORMATION:
AMICS DE LA TERRA EIVISSA: Apdo.160 Sta. Eulària - 07840 EIVISSA
e-mail: eivissa@amics-terra.org
Copyright © Amics de la Terra Eivissa
2000 - 2007