200 million euro upgrade for Carboneras power plant

The government has given the go ahead for a 200 million euro upgrade to the Carboneras power plant, which will create 800 mainly local jobs during the works. It’s believed to be the single largest industrial investment this year in Spain. The Italian Enel group, which owns Endesa and the Carboneras power plant, wants to bring the dirty ancient polluting monster up to code – actually, it has no choice, as it’s the most polluting Continue reading 200 million euro upgrade for Carboneras power plant

Bédar has most contaminated air in province

A new study has found that Bédar has, as far as ozone in the air is concerned, the most polluted air in Andalucia. The monitoring station above the village recorded levels above the World Health organisation recommended maximums on no fewer than 188 days last year. The WHO says the maximum should be 100mg per cubic metre of air. Spanish law says the maximum should be 120mg per cubic meter – Bédar recorded high levels Continue reading Bédar has most contaminated air in province

Judge investigates why Tarragona men are “firing blanks” in the pants department

Men from Tarragona (tarraconenses) have the worst semen in Spain, and a Judge has decided to find out why (after much prodding). It’s believed that the heavy industry and decades of pollution have left 53% of all tarraconenses with damaged sperm, as measured by the WHO regulations on such matters. Environmental group L’Escurçó filed a complaint back in 2010, and it’s twice been filed away by Judges who ruled that it wasn’t within their jurisdiction, Continue reading Judge investigates why Tarragona men are “firing blanks” in the pants department

Hermaphroditic fish found on sale in Andalucia (pollution blamed)

Hermaphroditic fish have been withdrawn from sale in a fish market in Seville. It’s believed that sea pollution has caused the mutation in the fish – normally, this sort of thing is spotted before the punters get suspicious, but these slipped through the net. (If you’ll pardon the pun). The fish are bacoreta, a type of Mediterranean mackerel. It’s not the first time this species has been found to be affected by pollution – the official Instituto Continue reading Hermaphroditic fish found on sale in Andalucia (pollution blamed)

Aznalcóllar abandons the green dream and votes to allow industry

Aznalcóllar is a small town in Seville which used to have an enormous mine on its outskirts, until the dam holding back millions of cubic meters of poisonous waste broke in 1998 and polluted beyond recovery almost 5,000 ha of natural land either side of 63 km of river, including a vast swathe of Doñana natural park.

Almeria gets more blue flag beaches than ever before!

21 beaches in Almeria have been awarded the “blue flag” for 2013, meaning that their services, installations, environmental quality, cleanliness and general state meet or surparsses EU standards. The award is given by the “Foundation for Environmental Education“, who I notice are currently looking for a new CEO. Where’s my CV? That’s 2 more than last year, although one beach (the one next to Almeria port) lost its flag due to contamination from the port. Continue reading Almeria gets more blue flag beaches than ever before!