Respect for the environment, respect for myself

From the Independent on Sunday 19th April 2009

by Edward Demicoli

Respecting the environment is a matter of self-respect. Our size and lack of resources and, frankly, lack of commitment in the 1970 and 1980s has led to the environmental scene in Malta becoming one that threatens our very well-being.

Since the mid-1990s, consciousness has developed and in the current era organisations such as the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) and the various interested NGOs have continued to play their part.We all know however, that we still have quite a way to go.Space management has always been an extra challenging task for islands the size of Sicily let alone for virtual micro-states like Malta. It is a matter of history that it has always been the PN in government that sought to regularise development: the excesses of the 1970s and 1980s when anyone could build anything practically anywhere, which was not that long ago, should never be forgotten.

The creation of the Planning Authority, now Mepa, an organisation that is not universally loved, is evidence, if evidence is needed, of a commitment to at least try to impose a structure and procedure in the planning context.Mepa is in the process of restructuring itself under the direct guidance of the Prime Minister. With certain sections of our media being what they are, and certain vested interests having the influence they have, I am under no illusion that criticism of Mepa will continue and the way it will be changed. Nonetheless, those of us who are not blinded by self-interest but are guided by self-respect will willingly give it a chance.

Waste management, a different but closely related subject, was non-existent up to a few years ago. Anything was dumped in the available sites (even in valleys and by the road side!) with no consideration for toxic gases resulting from mixture of waste, damage to water table, and so on.

Now, however, we can finally speak and not just dream about a zero waste society and a waste management strategy that tackles the vast bulk of waste locally without distress to residents. The days of mattresses and fridges by the roadside should be a thing of the past because the amenities are there. What’s next is all of us being responsible enough to use them.

We now have to consolidate and seek avenues for further developing the waste management situation to be able to tackle also those categories of waste that still need to be exported and/or very expensive processing.Ways have to be found to lessen the strain placed on the shoulders of consumers, although these, at the end of the day, are also producers of waste.

Measures taken are rarely popular when they are introduced and, combined with the natural aversion to change many people have, there will always be those who grumble about further burdens and costs. Nevertheless, it is the government that introduced these changes that was re-elected, evidence that people accept that our living space and our environment is our collective responsibility.

In a wider context, we are currently seeing a public consultation on a document that will give Malta safe foundations for climate change control initiatives. We are aiming to reach targets without increasing burdens or pandering to populist notions of how things should be done but which ignore realities or practicalities.

All in all, I think I’m allowed to dream that my children are going to live in a cleaner and brighter world than the one in which I grew up.

I also believe that I can help make that dream become a reality if I have your trust in the European Parliament elections come June.