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We believe that what we do makes a lot of sense: we help people to fight for their rights. And that's what we did when Mr. Román Martín Valldeperas from www.stopcontaminaciobcn.org came to consult us on whether he and his family had the right to breathe air which is legal.
In 2018 we filed, in his name, a request based on European directives and jurisprudence asking the City Council of Barcelona for an anti-pollution fee or toll as an effective measure which is has been proven in several European cities. Faced with administrative silence from the City Council, we filed a lawsuit in October 2018, which is still pending evidence.
After that first lawsuit, some Barcelonians have entrusted us with claims for damages and losses due to the consequences that excessive pollution (above the European legal limit for more than 10 years) has had on their health.
Just like our clients, we believe that we have the right to breathe legal air thanks to Europe, and that Europe is the solution to many of our problems.
The alternative is a carcinogenic situation that damages and reduces the respiratory and vascular health of the elderly and fetuses, as well as the memory of children and the fertility of people. Doctors and scientists confirm this.
Values guide each person's path in life.
As Mother Teresa of Calcutta said, "I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things."
Barcelona City Council: "Road traffic is not the biggest emitter in the city, but it is the biggest contributor to NO2 and PM10 levels of exposure, taking into account the distribution of emissions throughout the city." (page 11, Programa de Govern contra la contaminació atmosfèrica")
The Public Health Agency: "Motorised traffic is the main source of air pollution in the city." (page 51, Avaluació del la qualitat de l'aire a la ciutat de Barcelona - Informe 2017")
Pollution has caused an average of 659 deaths per year in Barcelona since 2010.
Renowned scientists affirm that pollution has reduced our life expectancy in Barcelona by 9 months.
Recent studies seem to be linking high COVID-19 mortality rates to excess pollution, and they are also studying whether it contributes to its spread.
Some related articles:
https://ajuntament.barcelona.cat/mapes-dades-ambientals/qualitataire/ca/ Average levels in your neighbourhood
https://servicios.conesalegal.com/es/contaminacion-barcelona Infographic
Chronology
19/02/19 La Vanguardia – Primera aparición de la demanda en los medios
19/02/19 La Vanguardia – Rueda prensa Ayuntamiento Barcelona
20/02/19 La Vanguardia – Rechazo inicial a la tasa de contaminación Ayuntamiento de Barcelona
23/02/19 Noticia La Vanguardia Román Martín Valledeperas
24/04/19 Aviso preventivo por episodio de contaminación de la AMB
27/02/19 El País – La tasas eliminaría 76 millones de trayectos al año
27/02/19 Barcelona Televisió – Entrevista Xavier Querol
28/02/19 La Vanguardia – Un estudio avala una reducción del tráfico del 20,57% con el peaje urbano
02/03/19 La Vanguardia – El peaje urbano irrumpe en las agendas de los alcaldables
02/03/19 El País – Titular “Barcelona pierde la batalla contra la contaminación”
24/03/19 – El Periódico – Los científicos reclaman medidas “drásticas” contra la contaminación.
25/04/19 – Diari Ara – Les partícules dièsel poden desencadenar asma en persones sanes.
29/04/19 – La Vanguardia – La contaminación aumenta durante el primer trimestre.
08/05/19 – Diari Ara – 08/05/19 – Diari Ara – Els efectes redistributius de la taxa de congestió
05/06/2019 – El Síndic de Greuges pide un peaje en Barcelona
Lawsuit claiming a traffic entry fee in Barcelona
Lawsuit claiming damages for public administration liability.
