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Ozone is a gas that has beneficial effects in the upper layers of the atmosphere, where it filters ultraviolet radiation. However, it becomes harmful when present near the Earth’s surface — in the troposphere.
Tropospheric ozone is a complex pollutant with no single direct human source. Instead, it forms through chemical reactions involving so-called precursor pollutants emitted by transport, thermal power plants, certain industrial activities and intensive livestock farming.
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Over the weekend of 31 January–1 February, GEN-GOB of Ibiza hosted the meeting of the inter-Island Board of GOB, the coordination body of the four island sections.
Participants in the meeting, representing the GOB sections from each island, agreed on the need to provide the Autonomous Community with a Biosecurity Law. This is an urgent matter, as the islands are currently unprotected against the entry of invasive species due to the absence of their own regulations. In addition, existing state, European and international regulations are poorly applied and are far from being a priority in the management of ports and airports. At the same time, biosecurity problems are worsening at an alarming rate. The most extreme case is Ibiza, where invasive snakes are wiping out the population of the native lizard.
Continue reading GOB highlights the need for a Balearic Biosecurity Law at inter-island meeting
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The Roman Empire had one of its main ports at the mouth of the Tiber River. Intense trade and the movement of people generated an important settlement near the capital. But everything went into decline when rainfall began to bring in large quantities of sediment.
It had always rained. But the enormous deforestation carried out in nearby forests to extract firewood resulted in unprecedented erosion. The port filled with earth and ships could no longer operate. Ignoring limits ended up sinking a prosperous economy.
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The final session of the 2026 Agriculture and Environment Seminar, to be held in the audience hall of the Claustre del Carme on 7 February in Maó, will focus on the role of knowledge — scientific, traditional and applied — as a driver of transformation in the agricultural model. The presentations will address, from complementary perspectives, how recent advances in the study and management of soil, on the one hand, and, on the other, the recovery of wild edible plants and traditional varieties, can contribute to strengthening biodiversity, food sovereignty and the economic viability of the primary sector.
Two presentations that will outline a horizon in which research, farming and territory converge to move towards a more sustainable, resilient and locally rooted agriculture through concrete and contextualised experiences and data.
Continue reading From soil to seed – 2nd Session of the 2026 Agriculture and Environment Seminar
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Despite all the countless declarations of love for the land, there are still initiatives in Menorca’s rural areas that consistently seek maximum real estate returns, at the risk of significantly altering the island’s territorial reality.
A territory that, we were told, had captivated developers precisely because it was well-preserved. Yet influential figures keep pushing limits, even when projects would be profitable with fewer interventions, or when investors already have ample financial capacity.
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The call of the European GOV4ALL project, aimed at improving soil fertility and soil health through sustainable and innovative agricultural practices, is entering its final phase. The application deadline is Friday, 13 February 2026.
This initiative, addressed to 15 farms in Menorca, both conventional and organic, will allow the selected farms to take part for two years in an innovation process that will include co-creation workshops on agricultural practices, specialised technical advice, scientific monitoring of soil health carried out by the University of Valencia, and dissemination of the results obtained. Eight livestock farms, four horticultural farms and three farms with woody crops will be selected. As compensation for the efforts devoted to the project, each participating farm will receive €5,000 per year (up to a total of €10,000 over the two years).
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Declaring the sa Roca aquifer to be in poor condition and curbing large-scale consumption should be priorities in water management in Es Mercadal.
GOB has submitted objections to the Sustainable Water Management Plan of Es Mercadal and highlights a serious situation in the water reserves of the urban area supplied by the s’Albaida aquifer.
Continue reading Es Mercadal faces difficult prospects for drinking water
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Scientific knowledge, practical experiences and innovative models to promote more sustainable agriculture are the core of the programme of the nineteenth edition of the Agriculture and Environment Seminar. The sessions, to be held on 31 January in Es Mercadal (Convention Centre) and on 7 February in Maó (Audience Hall of the Claustre del Carme), will allow attendees to delve into topics such as the collective processing of organic pulses and cereals for food sovereignty, regenerative livestock farming, the state and management of soils, and the recovery of wild plants and traditional agricultural varieties.
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They say that the January sky is among the clearest of the year. The moon can also be easily seen during the day. “Blanqueja com s’ametler, com ve que n’està florit, que blanqueja dia i nit, com sa lluna de gener” [It whitens like the almond tree, as if it were in bloom, whitening day and night, like the January moon] – says the popular rhyme.
In reality, the moon is always there above us, large enough to reflect the light of the star, but clouds, dust or other elements interfere and make it harder to see once the sun has risen.
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As we prepare to say goodbye to another year, I would like to address everyone who follows the environmental reality of Menorca and the evolution of the association that I have the honour to chair.
We are closing twelve intense months, in which we have shared emotions and concerns, progress and new threats, but in which we have always felt the strength that comes from bringing together individual energies to promote collective and meaningful initiatives.
