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The season that starts in December and ends in March is often associated with a time when many things slow down, pause, or even fall into a kind of slumber. Yet, in today’s hectic world, winter might be one of the few times when external noise and distractions diminish, offering a chance to restore balance.
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The fig tree begins its winter retreat. For a few months, it will enter a period of seclusion, isolating itself from its surroundings. It absorbs the most vital essences from its large leaves, then lets them fall, creating a meaningful layer of dry, dead matter.
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The first drawn depictions of Neanderthals portrayed them more like gorillas than humans. For decades, this close relative, with whom our species coexisted for thousands of years, was considered to be a primitive being, lacking intelligence and skill.
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Walking along paths that traverse diverse environments is nourishing, if we are able to read the information offered by the landscape. In a time when a growing disenchantment among citizens ends up feeding extremely dangerous governments, it may be fitting to explore ways to recharge our vital batteries.
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First of all, I would like to make a special mention in memory of our island coordinator, Tófol Mascaró, who died suddenly and without any warning. There are no words to express the void he has left and what he has meant to GOB and all Menorca. It is a loss difficult to assimilate both at a human level as well as professionally. Tófol will always be present in our memories. Continue reading Time to say Farewell
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I would like to share with you the satisfaction of seeing how our association, after 45 years of life, is continuing to grow stronger, full of ideas and projects working towards our objective of making human activity compatible with the environmental values of the island, so necessary for the welfare of its inhabitants. Our work is rigorous, consistent, and open to dialogue and is recognised and supported by an increasing number of people who have joined our association that this year has reached over 1500 members.
We have much work to do. We are confronted by complex situations that require the involvement of society as a whole. The climate emergency, the management of water and tourist overcrowding are huge problems that threaten not only the environment but also the welfare of people and the economy. In order to address these problems effectively, much dialogue, based on rigorously researched information, is necessary to come to a social consensus that must not be deferred. It is upsetting when we see, quite often, contrary views that animate outdated partisan and sterile disputes.
From GOB we try to contribute to social debate by providing thoroughly researched information, opinions and above all, alternatives. Often when arguments from a different point of view are contributed democratically, the reality is that the solution to grave problems is lost and public interest is superseded by private demands. However, not everyone acts in this way and the growing strength of the entity shows that more and more people understand and share our approach.
Time has proved us right. Our successful campaigns in our first years to protect many beaches and natural spaces from being urbanised are now profitable in being able to offer a sought after tourist destination that differs from other places enjoying our environment. GOB has spent thirty years talking about climate change, when few people considered it and some even denied it. It is now a few decades since GOB started the Land Stewardship Scheme, seeking viability for the economy of the countryside while keeping the characteristic Menorcan landscape and its biodiversity. Recovering local varieties and its agriculture could be described as maintaining the Island´s traditional values. Currently, the economic potential of differing agricultural production linked to the local economy is well recognised, as is the sovereignty of food in its gastronomy included in the quality of tourism. 37 farms have signed the agreement with GOB to work together with these ideas.
The problem of water preoccupies us as always. We believe that the solution happens more efficiently by the improvement and reuse of water from treatment plants and the collection of rainwater. With this in mind, 25 years ago GOB started the Es Viver garden centre for Menorcan plants aiming for sustainable gardening using plants adapted to our climate and, furthermore, avoiding the enormous water consumption that is used for lawns and tropical plants. This practice is now being used more frequently in private gardens, tourist establishments and by gardening professionals, but there is still a long way to go.
Unfortunately, as private interest is commonly put ahead of that of the community, we need to have public ministries to look after our interests by making rules that guarantee the rights of individuals and collectives for society as a whole. The right to health, culture, housing, the environment, water, energy, employment…For this, GOB recognises the huge importance for a definitive approval of the new Land Planning regulations (PTI), the Law of the Reserve of the Biosphere of Menorca and the Welfare Law for Current and Future Generations, presented in the Balearic Government by popular legislative initiative.
In short, there is much to be done, and GOB continues to work with enthusiasm for the quality of life in Menorca. I wish to finish with giving special thanks to the many people who have made our work possible, those who form part of our organisation, the volunteers, the members, the Board Members, the collaborators, entities, institutions, the media…
VERY MANY THANKS and Season’s Greetings for a new year filled with health and happiness and wishes for a more just and healthy society.
Carlos Coll
President of GOB Menorca
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There is a new episode in the story of the two large Son Bou hotels. Now, the Alaior Town Council is denying GOB, in writing, access to the file regarding the modernization of the buildings. GOB has filed an appeal because the implication is that both the right to access public information and the duty of transparency are being violated. Continue reading Son Bou Hotels: hidden file
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The approval of the Law of the Coast on 1988 (Ley de Costas) defined which areas of the shore would be a public domain. That is to say, public property, in this case, administered by the State. Within this definition are included the sand and the dune systems. In Menorca, the law saved some iconic areas that were seriously threatened by the extraction of sand for construction works. Continue reading Like Tirant sands
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The PTI (Pla Territorial Insular) is a strategy for defining the territorial model of Menorca. It is now open to public scrutiny and is the best time for giving opinions to improve the documentation that was approved initially. GOB has studied all the documentation and makes available to interested people, an objection form that can be signed by individuals or by legally existing organisations. Continue reading Participation in making objections to the PTI
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Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
After a year like the one we have lived, I cannot start this greeting in any other way. As we well know, this year of 2020 has been very difficult especially owing to the unexpected situation caused by Covid, which changed all the plans for our society provoking a never before imagined climate of uncertainty. Continue reading Greetings from the President of GOB Menorca, Christmas 2020
