Malta’s Green Outreach

Malta’s green out reach

support the superheroes’ mission, the Ministry also launched an art contest for schools called »Create a superhero and increase your environmental awareness!«. To take part, pupils had to create a sculpture inspired by Ozonko and Ozon čica Viber stickers. All sculptures had to be built using items or materials destined for waste disposal that were previously used for teaching or in daily life (for example paper, cardboard, plastic, pet packaging, textiles). In this way, the Ministry encouraged young people to use items that would have otherwise ended up as waste.

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Contact: kristina.posilovic@mzoe.hr

As Malta’s environmental guardian, the Environment and Resources Authority’s work ranges from collecting data on environmental media to advising the government on environmental policy.

The Environment & Resources Authority (era) has been working on developing new strategies to address modern day challenges related to the environment. These include a noise action plan, with era shedding light on noise levels across the Maltese Islands. It identified areas where noise pollution is above acceptable levels and suggested ways forward. Another example is the single-use plastic products strategy, which aims to bring about behavioural shifts in order to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic items and increase waste recycling. Although era staff perform most of their duties from their Marsa offices, assistant officer Gabriel Aquilina explains the importance of outreach. In fact, era staff ensure that the public is aware of new regulations and policies. Another key task relates to education. This explains era’s strong presence during >

»We identified areas where noise pollution is above acceptable levels and suggested ways forward.« – Gabriel Aquilina, era spokesman

events such as the Valletta Green Festival, Science in the City, Notte Bianca and Genna ta’ Gonna. At these events, era is able to focus on particular topics and convey key messages such as the importance of not introducing invasive non-native species to Maltese islands and reducing marine litter. It strongly believes that such messages must be accompanied by suggestions on how to move forward. For example, rather than stating that single-use plastic bags should not be used, era offers alternatives such as reusable mesh bags to transport your fruit and vegetables while shopping.

It also attends a number of open days that take place across the islands, such as EcoDalam. This is an annual event at Ghar Dalam, a 145m-long cave with some parts over 500,000 years old. era is also hands-on in how it promotes the environment and its policies. Examples include walks organised in protected areas like Fomm irRi ħ and Il-Lippija, during which staff explain how these regions are home to a variety of native plants, animals and insects. Another occasion is the annual Bat Night at Ghar Dalam, organised by the Green Spider Network in collaboration with Heritage Malta.

»We also reward those who champion our environment, which is why we set up the Buonamico Award,« Gabriel Aquilina continues. This award was inspired by Ġan Franġisk Bonamico, who conducted one of Malta’s first studies into native plants and animals in the 1670s. Past winners include Stanley Zammit, former Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry for Environment, and

Close encounters with Malta’s native species at ERA ’s annual Bat Night.

Daniel Micallef, former Labour Speaker of the House of Representatives, minister, doctor and environmentalist. era also holds numerous stakeholder meetings that bring together non-governmental organisations, local councils, private businesses and those working in the sector, such as farmers. These meetings, held several times a year, enable era to evaluate the impact of its policies and help it create ways to work with those who uphold its policies.

It will continue to raise awareness of the importance of safeguarding Malta’s environment. The public’s help in achieving this goal is paramount as there can be no positive change unless there is lasting collaboration between all the stakeholders involved.

era.org.mt

Contact: info@era.org.mt