“Majorca is at its limit” warns GOB

The recent power failure, the lack of water, the traffic problems, insufficient public transport and the lack of funds to protect the environment in the Balearics are some of the reasons why Balearic environmental organisation GOB has launched a campaign “Majorca is at its limit. It's time to stop.” Representatives for GOB yesterday unveiled the campaign and warned that with the current rate of urban development and growth in the tourist industry “we are going to commit suicide, we are heading to self destruction.” GOB pointed out that, the number of tourists visiting the island, bar this year, has been growing at a rate of 5 per cent every year, around 400'000 to half a million people, while at the same time demand for electricity has risen by as much as 12 per cent, water consumption seven per cent and the amount of waste generated is increasing by just under ten per cent a year. GOB said that the island's roads, beaches and airport have reached “saturation,” adding that around 40'000 residents permits are authorised every year.