WHAT MEASSURES HAVE ALREADY BEEN TAKEN TO PRESERVE THE ENVIRONMENT? Pilar Mir Sánchez de Bustamante I.E.S. El Bohío

Everywhere it is important to take care of the environment and natural resources. In Spain there are different laws which make this possible. These are: *Laws that evaluate the environmental impact of big structures such as dams, sewage works… *Country planning laws that state which lands are protected, destined to forests, assigned to buildings, etc. *Specific laws: -To avoid water pollution. -To avoid atmosphere pollution. COMENIUS PROJECT “YOU AND ME MAKE EUROPE” I.E.S. BOHÍO

In addition to these statements there are also another measures taken in our country with regard to: *Biodiversity *Fashion *Water *Unleaded petrol *Desertification COMENIUS PROJECT “YOU AND ME MAKE EUROPE” I.E.S. BOHÍO

The excessive exploitation of natural resources by humans, makes biological diversity be in danger. Spain is the country with the biggest biodiversity in Europe thanks to its climates and to its topography. There are 26 Spanish Biosphere Reserves. In order to protect nature, it has been created an ecological network called Natura 2000 which is in charge of preserving the different habitat verifying their correct state. BIODIVERSITY COMENIUS PROJECT “YOU AND ME MAKE EUROPE” I.E.S. BOHÍO

Doñana Picos de Europa Sierra Nevada

FASHION It does not matter if we use silk or flax. The problem is in the treatment that fabrics receive. There is not a law banning chemical substances on clothes. However, some Spanish fashion designers and companies are working in a project looking for safer alternatives. They are getting involved in creating ecological clothes. They are supporting a future without toxics in our planet. COMENIUS PROJECT “YOU AND ME MAKE EUROPE” I.E.S. BOHÍO

WATER Spain has just suffered the worst drought in this century. On average, droughts usually lasts between 4-5 years, that is why it is so important to put into practice saving water policies. So as to solve water problems, the Spanish government has created a new project called A.G.U.A. COMENIUS PROJECT “YOU AND ME MAKE EUROPE” I.E.S. BOHÍO

A.G.U.A. It will allow citizens to bring ideas to the Environment Ministry. Some new actions will focus on the improvement and the optimization of water management. It will also get more concerned in the sectors which are the responsible of obtaining the water. COMENIUS PROJECT “YOU AND ME MAKE EUROPE” I.E.S. BOHÍO

NO TO LEADED PETROL Little amounts of lead were added to petrol with the purpose of improving the performance of the engine. Plumb is a polluting metal, by this reason, Spain took a law stating that it was prohibited the selling of leaded petrol since August of COMENIUS PROJECT “YOU AND ME MAKE EUROPE” I.E.S. BOHÍO

ANNUAL FUEL CONSUMPTION CHART METRIC TONNE MILES UNLEADED A-DIESEL 97 PETROL UNLEADED PETROL+97 PETROL+A-DIESEL

DESERTIFICATION Wide areas in Spain are potentially affected by this process, especially the Mediterranean coast. In this diagram we can check that 2/3 parts in Spain belong to the arid area category. COMENIUS PROJECT “YOU AND ME MAKE EUROPE” I.E.S. BOHÍO

The National Action Programme against Desertification (PAND) has realized the restoration of impoverish lands along 150 years. The result has been the reforestation of approximately 5 million hectares. To help this restoration, there is a new law which bans the felling of trees older than 10 years. If these trees are cut, it will be necessary to plant a new tree for every year of the cut one. COMENIUS PROJECT “YOU AND ME MAKE EUROPE” I.E.S. BOHÍO