The regression of the Catalan coast has been causing problems for some time now. But in the political sphere, the controversy has recently intensified after statements by the Director General of Climate Change of the Generalitat de Catalunya, Mireia Boya, in which she called for the assumption that “some beaches will disappear”. Although this area depends on the State and not the Government, she was critical of the contributions of sand that are currently carried out to fight against storms and said that “this strategy is equivalent to throwing money away”. Some words that have upset several councils in the metropolitan area of ​​Barcelona, ​​which do not want to resign and are committed to fighting to keep the sands, important from a social and economic point of view.
Yesterday on the beach of Gavà , in an event organized by the PSC near where they usually celebrate their traditional rose festival, mayors or representatives of municipal governments that the socialists lead or are part of gathered to regret the words of Buoy The mayor of Gavà , Gemma Badia, acted as spokesperson: “The surprise is capital, they tell us to throw in the towel, to give up the sand”, she said. “We can’t lose the beaches”, he added arguing that 5 million people live in the metropolitan area and that its beaches receive 11 million.
“We need short-term contributions. We already know that it is not the definitive solution, but they are required until structural measures are taken”, he added to relate that the Ministry for Ecological Transition tendered in November a study that will be ready “between October and November of this year” and that will address the situation thoroughly. However, the resulting actions will require more time.
Gemma Badia was accompanied by socialists from Barcelona, ​​Sant Joan DespÃ, Sant Adrià de Besòs, Molins de Rei, el Prat de Llobregat, Montgat, l’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Sant Boi, Castelldefels, Sant Vicenç dels Horts, Badalona and Viladecans. Not all of these municipalities have a beach, but their inhabitants make intensive use of the metros. And the fact is that not all citizens can afford or simply feel like taking the car and the towel and traveling to the Costa Brava or La Daurada. That is why they also feel affected.
With one month left for the municipal elections, in a pre-election campaign context, Badia accused ERC of being “disconnected” from the public. “It cannot be that an administration throws in the towel on a matter like this because what it is doing is condemning to the disappearance of public spaces that are a wealth for the country”, he remarked.
The mayor of Gavà was concerned about what the Port of Barcelona can do, which also contributes: “They have a month. When the Director of Climate Change says that it should not be done, I am extremely curious to see what ends up being done”, he stated.
Sources from the Port of Barcelona consulted by La Vanguardia assured that the contribution of sand “will be made”. In fact, the contract is valid and includes the years 2022 and 2023 with a possible extension for 2024. It involves an investment, paid for by the port, of 3.9 million euros, which is equivalent to 300,000 m3 of sand in total.
“We do not urge or stop urging that the councils claim sand”, they declared, consulted by this newspaper. “The Generalitat does not oppose the demands of the councils”, they added, remembering that sand contributions are a state competence.
These same sources reported that the Government has a “transversal” climate change adaptation strategy that impacts all departments “within our powers”. They noted that they are aware that the climate emergency will bring “changes” to the metropolitan coast and that it will have to adapt. “But we don’t decide if sand should be brought to one beach or another”, they decided from the department.
