Destruction at co[a]sts

Once again it is essential to remind of the environmental, social and economic importance of the coastal area for our country. The adequate preservation of the coasts is a key factor for a number of economic sectors. Fishing, for example, cannot be sustained without preservation of the marine ecosystems; tourism depends largely on an adequate environmental preservation, and thereafter.

Why, we ask, there being a broad consensus among citizens about the high degree of degradation of our coastal line, no administration takes on seriously the need to put a stop to so much outrage. The best news in the last months was of the proliferation of local Platforms that are dedicated to stopping dozens of cement projects that hover over our coast. Few times they receive a positive answer from the politicians who are responsible but, being small strongholds of unremitting fighters, those groups strive to protect the territory, even suffering many times attacks and disqualifications. They have managed notable accomplishments, such as, for example, that the European Parliament show deep concern about the Valencian Community urban legislation. We have no doubt that there will be many more.

While the territory is being destroyed, those in charge of the several public offices continue to discuss who takes the responsibility. Eventually, it will not matter who is managing a crushed and impoverished territory from the search for short-term benefits. However, citizens are increasingly and strongly demanding for well-preserved coasts and for the protection of the coastline. Does anyone pick up the gauntlet?