15el Periòdic d’Andorrawww.elperiodic.ad DIMARTS, 10 DE JULIOL DEL 2018

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E N G L I S H E D I T I O N T H U 1 3

The rising of temperatures is only one of the conse-quences of climate change that is affecting our planet.

And although the average increase in the Pyrenees was 1.2 degrees be-tween 1950 and 2010, according to the OPCC2 Report on climate change in the Pyrenees: impacts, vulnerabilities and adaptation, in Andorra this increase has not been so accentuated and the Cenma figures it at 0.8 degrees.

In an interview with EL PERIÒDIC, the technical director of this study centre, Ramon Copons, emphasized that «climate change does not under-stand about administrative bound-aries and that, therefore, it must be studied from a global point of view, that is, across the Pyrenees». In any case, the researcher Laura Trape-ro already warned that «the moun-tainous areas are especially vulner-able and have their particularities», which can also be different depend-

ÀLEX LARA

Temperature increase in Andorra is lower than in the PyreneesPrecipitation decreases by 4% each decade between 1950 and 2010, 1.5% above the mountain range average

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IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE PYRENEAN MASSIF

ing on whether we speak about the east-west or north-south aspect.

In fact, since much of the Andor-ran territory is on the southern part, the decline in precipitation has been more noticeable. In the last sixty years it has rained 2.5% less per dec-ade in the massif, in the Principali-ty this percentage stands at 4%, 1.5 points above the Pyrenean average. In any case, the registries don’t allow to affirm that the tendency is to be moving towards a drought. «Yes, it’s true that lately every year has been dry, but some are also wet and there-fore the change is still not signifi-cant», Trapero said being cautious.

EFFECT ON THE SNOW / Although this first report by the Pyrenean Climate Change Observatory (OPCC) only of-fers data until 2010, the Pyrenees Work Community is immersed in several projects to analyze other var-iables and provide more information about the impact of climate change on the mountain range. Among these, there is Climpy, which for the

situation». «And if we do not change our habits, nothing will change», added Komac. In fact, Copons took the opportunity to remember that although climate change has always existed, it is very important to differ-entiate its speed. «The weather has never been static; for example, in the last 2,000 years it has undergone variations, but very little important in comparison to the last century», said Cenma’s technical director. And Komac assured that the trend is that «the increase will be even bigger and stronger».

«Climate change does not understand about administrative boundaries and must be studied from a global point of view»

RAMON COPONSCENMA’S TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

ADAPTATION OF FLORA AND FAUNA / Large-scale victims of this increasingly rap-id climate change are living things that will have to adapt. «It’s not un-feasible», wanted to reassure the head of the Biotic Environment Unit. But warned that the vegetation is much more capable of adapting than animals. «In the Pyrenees, there may be trees which are 600 or 800 years old that have experienced many cli-matic situations, therefore, they will be able to survive more easily. How-ever, an animal often does not have this ability and must migrate to find the climatic conditions that it needs, or else it’s condemned to disappear», Komac said, emphasizing that birds like the snow partridge have already begun to migrate. Even so, it does not have too much margin because its natural habitat is at the top of moun-tains. «And, according to a study on pastures in the Alps, for every hun-dred metres in height the feeding for herbivores is reduced by 40%», warned the head of the Biotic Envi-ronment Unit. H

moment only has preliminary da-ta but it already offers projections on four different scenarios for the future. «This is political», Copons warned, since the study is based on a specific scenario of greenhouse gas emissions and with this data the cli-matic models are calculated. «There-fore, with uncertain figures», the re-searcher at Cenma said.

In 2030, the worst-case scenar-io predicts an increase in temper-atures between 1 and 2.7 degrees. And in this case, at 1,800 metres, the thickness of snow would be reduced by half. «It has also been calculated that for each degree that increases the temperature there will be 30 days less of snow presence, therefore, if it increases three degrees, we could be talking about three months less of snow», detailed the head of the Bi-otic Environment Centre of Cenma, Benjamin Komac. Although this es-timation corresponds to the worst-case scenario, Trapero warned that «if emissions are not reduced, we are going towards the most pessimistic

A couple of hikers walk through the Valley of Sorteny.

1.2 degrees is the in-crease in temperature in the Pyr-enees between 1950 and 2010.

0.4 degrees is the differ-ence between the temperature increase in the mountain range and the increase experienced in Andorra, of only 0.8 degrees.

2.5% is the reduction of precipitation per decade in the Pyrenean massif, below the reg-istered in the Principality, where it rises to 4% per decade.

figures

MARICEL BLANCH

33 The first secretary of the PS, Susanna Vela.

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POLITICS

The PS’s first secretary, Su-sanna Vela, asked for the resignation of the Minis-ter of Social Affairs, Justice

and Interior, Xavier Espot, conside-ring that it is «incompatible» to be immersed in the election campaign scheduled in spring and at the same time the «very important» job that must be assumed as a minister.

Through a statement, from the party it was highlighted that Espot held a presentation act of his can-didacy. This is evidenced, by the un-derstanding of Vela, that much of the activity of the minister respon-sible for problems as serious as the housing market situation, low pen-sions or job insecurity, does not fo-cus on government work, but in the preparation of the campaign. «There is an incompatibility betwe-en exercising as a minister and at the same time being a candidate» she said, and more when he faces «a portfolio with issues of extraordi-

PS wants Espot to resign because «he is in campaign»The party thinks it’s ‘incompatible’ with the ministerial work amount

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nary importance that require his ab-solute dedication».

USE OF RESOURCES /Another concern of the Social Democrats is that Es-pot can use the government infras-tructure for its pre-election activi-ties. »It must be his political group who assumes the expense» and not pay «with public money from all of us» stated Vela. She also denounces that several administration wor-kers, without contact with the mi-

nister, have received messages on social media in which they are invi-ted to attend the presentation cere-mony, which they consider as «unac-ceptable» because it can lead to an «abuse of power and coercion». The chairman of the DA parliamentary group, Ladislau Baró, was strange-ly surprised for this opposition pe-tition, considering that it is entirely «compatible and legitimate» to com-bine the work of the minister with that of a party candidate. H

MARICEL BLANCH

33 The leader of Progressistes-SDP, Jaume Bartumeu.

The president of Progressives-SDP, Jaume Bartumeu, was recently in Pa-ris where he held a meeting, in the Élysée Palace with the personal re-presentative of the French Co-Prin-ce, Patrick Strzoda. In the course of the meeting Bartumeu expressed concern about the institutional sta-bility of the Principality with «many contradictory» statements that in-dicate a possible resignation of the archbishop and the other Co-prin-

FOREIGN RELATIONS

Bartumeu went to Paris for concerns for the PrincipalityThe meeting was about a possible resignation of the bishop regarding abortion

ce linked to the fact that the cabinet agreed to decriminalize abortion. Also, the rise in feminist groups ma-ke the situation tenser, On the other hand, he showed the will to conti-nue working to achieve a good asso-ciation agreement with the EU. Bar-tumeu also presnted the questions of some Andorran students regar-ding the increase in the prices of uni-versity fees in France for foreigners. However, it was recalled that the tri-lateral treaty between the two coun-tries remains in force, according to which students from the contrac-ting parties have access to the educa-tion or formation of the other party under the same conditions as the students of the receiving country. H

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www.elperiodic.ad THURSDAY, 13 DECEMBER 20182 el Periòdic News

Government assert protests against social cuts as «legal»

‘Free Wifi’ is champion of the third edition of ‘Tandem’

The Government considered that the call for a non moving demonstration of unions and other entities to protest against what they consider as a loss of social rights, as «legal». This was ex-pressed by the Minister of Education, Eric Jover, who was the only member of the Executive willing to comment on the situation although others, like the Minister of Ordering, Jordi Torres, were also questioned.

«I think it is legal and fair to file protests or other means of protesting that they deem appropriate» said the head of the education portfolio, who linked the demonstration to the la-bor reforms approved by the cabinet last Thursday, although the common front (front comú) the organizers of the social event, made it clear last Mon-

day that the discontent goes much further and encompasses the «unsus-tainable» standard of living that has to be faced with the salaries received by most workers. It is due to the inac-tion of the Government against high housing rental prices, the cost of li-ving, the minimum wage and the low

CITIZEN OUTCRY ROAD SAFETY

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The assembly hall of the Professional Training Center of Aixovall has been the venue of the end of the third edi-tion of the Tándem de Actua project, where FP students have faced sever-al innovation challenges raised by Andorra Telecom, Gamma Manage-ment and VallmedicVision. The win-ning team has been Free Wi-Fi, which has been chosen by the jury as the project that best resolved the chal-lenge presented by Andorra Telecom

About 70 students, tutored by twelve teachers participated, and ha-ve worked on the following challen-ges: Andorra Telecom asked students to work on initiatives to innovate in the provision of prepaid mobile te-lephony in order to reach more cli-ents (the challenge of the winning te-

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am); VallmedicVision wanted ideas to raise awareness to avoid the abu-sive use of digital screens in order to reduce the incidence of myopia; and Gamma Management sought to improve the relationship of hu-man resources company with its cli-ents, which are companies and can-didates. The Minister of Education, Eric Jover, highlighted the bright future that awaits students of Voca-tional Training in the country and recalled that «95% of students get a job». The Government want to ex-pand this idea to other education systems as well as the national uni-versity. The head of Actua, Ferran Costa, said that «it is a matter of sol-ving the problems that companies have and that they need an innova-tive component to make way for a problem they have». H

retirement pensions» among others.Regarding the labor reform, Jover

recalled that «24 of 28 board mem-bers, councillours voted in favor» to indicate the broad consensus that they generated in the parliament. In addition, he considered that the chan-ges «do not cause cuts, but a whole se-ries of elements that can be experien-ced positively by the workers». «In any case, we understand that unions can make the movements that they deem appropiate» he concluded. H

SERGI PERÉZ

33 One of the few protests last March.

THURSDAY, 13 DECEMBER 2018 el Periòdic News www.elperiodic.ad 3

MONTSERRAT ALTIMIRAS

33 A moment of the last edition of the ‘Pastorets’.

EDUARD COMELLAS

33 Future traffic wardens at the ceremony held on Tuesday.

SEVENTH CLASS

The Mayor of la Massana, David Baró, acted this Tues-day as host at the commem-orative ceremony of the sev-

enth edition of the Basic Course of Recruitment for Traffic Wardens. It is an interparish commission, pre-sided over by the mayor of Escal-des-Engordany, Trini Marín, from which eight assistants were select-ed and who will soon swear in to become traffic wardens. For two months, the candidates –which be-long to Encamp, Ordino, la Massa-na, Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engorany– received a very intense training in different aspects: theory classes, held at the Vocational Edu-cation Training Centre of Aixovall, were based on Andorran legislation and the traffic law, while the practi-cal part focused on actions such as traffic management and interven-tion, control over the public thor-

Eight candidates applying for traffic wardens get through the tests

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The last step before joining the Body willbe to swear in

2019 WELCOMING

A party to celebrate the arrival of 2019 for children, parents and grandparents. The New Year’s Eve party returns to Encamp af-ter more than five years with-out being celebrated and will take place at the Sports Com-plex after midnight. It will focus around the Nueva Alaska orches-tra that will cover several songs. «It’s a demand of the town and the youth», explained the coun-cillor of Youth, Sports and Tour-ism, Xavier Fernández.

Once again, the parish is com-mitted to this activity that the corporation already considers more than consolidated. In fact, the objective for this year is to exceed last year’s number of vis-itors, which stood at 7,000 peo-ple, with an increase of some 500 more. It will be from 27 Decem-ber to 1 January between 4:00 pm and 9:00 pm at the Sports and so-ciocultural complex in Encamp and from 3 to 5 January, with the same schedule, at the Sports Cen-tre of Pas de la Casa. H

Encamp regains the celebration of New Year’s Eve

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The celebration of the quarter of a century of the ‘Pastorets’ (typical Christmas play in Catalonia and An-dorra) of Sant Julià arrives with new features. On the one hand, on the 22nd, a photographic exhibition that includes the best moments of the previous 24 editions and that will be seen in different parts of the parish with the aim of «occupying the streets with culture». «There will be 12 four-faced panels that will tell the story through images», said Cul-ture Minister Josep Roig. One panel will show the most important fig-ures such as «the 13 different sets, the participation of 900 characters, the 31,932 spectators and the 2,400 collaborators in a total of 109 per-formances» detailed the councillor. It all aims to bring people closer to the tradition and to thrill the «faith-

EL PERIÒDICSANT JULIÀ DE LÒRIA

CHRISTMAS PLAY

The 25th edition is expected to be special and will combine traditional aspects with many novelties

Memorial circuit of the ‘Pastorets’

ful ones» that since the Christmas of 1993 have followed the ‘Pastorets’ of Sant Julià.

The exhibition will start and end at the Cultural and Congress Centre.

Gesture to the parishAnother fact that proofs that this year will be special is that there were 20 more people participating in the casting than in the last edition, which demonstrates the consolida-tion and success of the play.

Additionally, as a novelty, the fig-ure of Folch and Torres will be intro-duced accompanied by a girl who, in a gesture to the parish, will be called Júlia and will be the driving force of the whole story. «We keep the essence of what the ‘Pastorets’ have always been, with characters that are endearing and full of memo-ries, but with an original touch», said the director of the play, Juanma Case-

ro. The traditional route will vary a bit and new locations will be intro-duced, but always with live music in the background «with the popu-lar songs that everyone knows».

The assistant director, Irina Rob-les, pointed out that clothing is also a fundamental and «very special» aspect of the new edition. «We will recover clothes and material that has been used previously and that

On 22 December a family photo will be taken with all the actors involved these 25 years

will surely excite people who have come every year», she predicted.

The performance can be seen in four sessions, specifically on 26 and 29 December and on 4 and 6 Janu-ary and, in addition, on the 22nd of this month a «family photo» will be taken with all the actors that have participated in the play through-out these 25 years. H

oughfare or first aid.In addition, they also received in-

formation about the professional image and the uniformity or the cit-izen and community-based atten-tion. In this regard, Baró empha-

sized the importance of the social work of traffic wardens, which goes «beyond traffic and public order».

The training was carried out by the special squad of firefighters and the Police Corps and others such as

the Mobility Department, Civil Pro-tection, SUM and COEX.

The definitive incorporation of these assistants will depend on the needs of each parish, although it is expected to be soon. H

THURSDAY, 13 DECEMBER 2018 el Periòdic News4 www.elperiodic.ad el Periòdic News

FLORIAN EISEBITT

33 Dylan Ennis trying to block Javonte Green.

MoraBanc get in the Top16 spot despite a close defeat against Ulm

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BASKETBALL3 EUROCUP

FOOTBALL 3 EUROPEAN QUALIFIERS

Andorra will have tough opponents in the European qualifiers including Austria, Turkey, Kosovo and Albania. However, their biggest worry is En-gland who are the favouites to win the group stage. In the draw held at UEFA headquarters in Geneva (Swit-zerland), the national team got stuck with demanding opponents. «We know that no team is easy, especially for a country like Andorra. Just loo-king at the teams and pots, it’s impos-sible to get an easy group» said coach Justo Ruiz. «We had more luck than in the previous draw, but we com-

The U-21’s have a tough matchup against England

pete against England again and we are aware of the difficulty» he added. Teams like Turkey also have quality players and are expected to be on the top spot. «Kosovo and Albania have a similar level to Andorra and it’s whe-re we can get the most points» he sta-ted. The first match will be against Al-bania on the 25th of March. On the 26th of May they will face Kosovo. Then on the 5th of September they go up against Austria. The last match of 2019, will be against Turkey on No-vember 19th. After that, they will ha-ve to prepare well to face England on the 26 of March and will face each ot-her again on the 8th of October. H

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MARICEL BLANCH

33 Viladot during the match against England.

Countdown for the GSeries begins with many big changes

Changes. This is the keyword of the new Crèdit Andorrà GSeries season. The 14th edition presents new cate-gories, more competition days and a new building that will allow the number of boxes to be expanded. Alex Bercianos, responsible for the organization of the GSeries and di-rector of the Circuit d’Andorra - Pas de la Casa, explained that they wan-ted «to give impetus, to make a revo-lution with the competition. For this reason, it goes from the two traditio-nal categories, GS and GS2, to have fi-ve. The modality of two motor whe-els is recovered so that «Andorran dri-vers that have a more limited budget can compete at home» he explained.

On the other hand, the category side by side and the car cross will al-so be included. «We are convinced that they will work very well. They are vehicles that have a very long history and are popular in neighbo-ring countries and we believe it is ti-me to explore how it can work in An-dorra» said Bercianos. The increase in the number of categories means more competition days: it will begin on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. and end at

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around 4:00 pm on Sunday. In ad-dition, more participation is expec-ted. «The GSeries has an important impact both in our country and abroad. Snow is one of the pillars of the economy in Andorra and the ice race championship is an initi-ative that helps the country to po-sition itself internationally» said Joan R. Mas, director of Corporate Communications. Bercianos emp-hasized that «last year , the event was seen in 14 different television channels, reaching an impact of al-most 600,000 people». He also stres-sed that the races must be aimed at local drivers like Llovera. H

The Hangzhou World Champions-hips (25m) in China began with th-ree Andorran representatives com-peting on the first day of the event. The only athlete to improve the-ir personnal best was Nàdia Tu-dó, who competed in the 200 me-ters Freestyle. The swimmer finis-hed in 43rd place, with a time of 2.07.63 minutes. «I’m satisfied, but I think I could have done it even better» said Tudó. The fastest in the series was Mallory Comerford from the United States with 1.52.52. Mò-nica Ramírez participated in the 100m Backstroke, getting 42th place with a time of 1.04.06. «The first 50 meters went very well, but the second lap not so much» Rami-rez said. First place was achieved by American Olivia Smoliga with 55.47 seconds. Patrick Pelegrina did the 100m Breaststroke. He ran-ked at 65th place in 1.05.60. Bela-rus Ilya Shymanovich was the fas-test with 56.47 seconds. H

Personal best for Nàdia Tudó in 200 metres Freestyle

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Two free throws from Ennis in the final stretch saved MoraBanc by classifying them in the elite Top 16 category

MOTORSPORTS 3 ON ICE SWIMMING 3 RESULTS

A.R.

33 Bercianos, Mas and Llovera.

RATIOPHARM ULM 88MORABANC 80

During the season dif-ferent ob-jectives are

set to be achieved along the season. The first one has been achieved. BC MoraBanc Andorra is still in the Eu-roCup and is ranked at the Top16 for the very first time. Although they did it with a defeat, they needed to lose by eight points or less. Meaning they just slid by, losing by exacly eight points (88-80) against Ulm.

Shurna was the main man on the first minutes of the game. The Ameri-can scored the first eight points of Mo-raBanc, including two triples.The two teams tried to score long range shots repeatedly during the first 20 minu-tes of the match. Vitali also managed to score leading the team by 7, but the locals quickly caught up and both te-ams had the same amount of points (18-17). However, knowing that the quarter was going to end the Ger-mans wanted to bring out their main man: Guenther. He was subbed in and scored 6 consecutive points ending

the quarter with a slight lead 22-19.Schilling put the locals ahead

from the free-throw line and Guent-her was showing his three pointers. Two Andorran recoveries ended with quick baskets from Albicy and Ups-haw, and a triple from Walker (who was out from the start of the season due to injury) made the game equal again. Both teams used the minimum advantages they had. In the end of the first half it was (43-43).

INCONSISTENCY/ After the break and the locker room talk with the mana-ger, Andorra were showing signs of strength, but only at times. Maybe it was lack of concentration or fatigue, but they were losing their competiti-ve edge when the locals were leading by 10 points (61-51). Green was incre-dible, with six consecutive points and two recoveries. At one stage, it seemed that Ennis was the only MoraBanc player. But, with his leadership he changed the attitude of his teamma-tes. Shurna, Whittington and Jelinek helped Andorra get back on track. In the final stretch Radosavljevic helped his team continue the lead (66-61). Green and Guenther were the main stars, returning to the 10 point barri-er (71-61). A triple from Whittington gave a glimpse of hope to the visitors, after the team was scoreless for more than two minutes. Ennis and Jelinek were back to scoring again, but the opponents were showing no signs of

stopping with a triple from Kraemer and a 2 + 1 from Miller. It was the sa-me dynamics: with a triple from Je-linek and points from Ennis and Al-bicy, but Kraemer broke their rythm with a great triple. Miller lead the te-am with a final win, but the average had to be taken into account. Howe-ver, MoraBanc were 10 points down and had to do something about it. En-nis was the saviour when he got awar-ded free throws and got them in, mea-ning they are in the Top 16.

THOUGHTS FROM THE MANAGER/ The Bas-que coach showed his satisfaction for the classification. «We have to be happy and see if this gives us a push for this final sprint before the end of the first round of the Endesa League, and we can continue fighting for the second goal of the team, which is to enter the Copa del Rey (the top 10 en-ter and they are 11th)» he said. «No one is safe in the EuroCup, even Bres-cia, who was the weakest, was able to beat the top teams, it is only just the start of the competition». H

They lose by eight points, (the minmum they recquired) to classify for this elite group for the very first time