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| OPINION | Sunday, 11 May 2008 Caring for our children Evarist Bartolo Concern for the Environment is central to the future of humanity. The Earth which is around 4.2 billions years old has shown that it has the capacity to heal itself. If the human species degrades the environment the threat is to the survival of humanity and not the Earth. The Earth does not depend on the human species. Therefore policies directed at the environment should not be seen as us being kind or enlightened towards the environment but rather of ensuring that we have an environment that is safe for our children and grandchildren. We should be the trustees of the environment for future generations.
The central reason that explains the undermining of the environment is that we have assumed that the environment comes at zero costs. It is only in recent years that economists have started to input a cost on the environment when evaluating new capital projects. Today we know that economic development can only be beneficial and sustainable if it does not degrade the environment. More people are aware today that we can only safeguard our mental and physical health if we protect our environment and heal the damage we have caused it. The most recent report in November 2007 by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published in November 2007 has sought to explain the nature of global warming that has become increasingly evident during the past decade with record high temperatures shrinking glaciers and melting ice caps. The dangers of increases in sea levels that threaten the livelihoods of 1 billion people need to be taken seriously. The Stern Report commissioned by the UK Government has pointed out that climate change poses a greater threat than the war on terror. We need to make commitments to reduce our carbon emissions. We need to really invest in clean energy. Dr Gonzi’s government has just issued a legal notice where the thrust of shifting consumption from power hungry appliances to economical appliances has been reversed. This jars with all the hullabaloo of an offshore wind farm and other green incentives talk before the March election. This new legal notice is sending the wrong message to investors and consumers. In green economics consistent long term policies are critical. If by a stroke of a pen you abolish such a scheme, what is government going to do with other similar schemes like energy buy back by Enemalta? The termination of the Scheme will have an impact on sales of appliances at the Trade Fair and will increase prices for appliances. Importers will be stuck with orders for the coming Trade Fair and will find it difficult now to sell these appliances on the market when competing with cheaper models which are more energy hungry. Importers are already committing stock orders. The national energy bill will increase in the medium to long term as we start importing again energy hungry appliances with the consequence that eventually Enemalta may need to invest more in production capacity. Educating our citizens about individual carbon footprints and how they can reduce emissions at a personal level through improvements in energy efficiency in the homes doing less mileage in our cars using more public transport is inadequate if public policies continue to push citizens into wasting more and more energy. We need to preserve and protect our bio diversity in the fragile eco-system of our islands. We need to generate awareness through the school curriculum with more time in schools give to environment studies and for children to undertake school trips that will help them understand issues of ecology and environment protection. Our university could become a centre of excellence in environmental research. Malta is a small country, electric cars and new hybrid vehicles are ideal for doing short journeys. We need to provide more cycle paths to encourage the young to ride bicycles in safety and encourage more people to take up walking as part of a healthy lifestyle. We need to use the tax system in ways that benefit the environment. If people want to have the freedom to drive vehicles with high petrol consumption then they should also pay more in taxes. The more we damage the environment the higher the penalty. That way we can start to assess how we can start to change the way we live our lives... Any comments? |
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Managing editor Saviour Balzan | Tel. ++356 21382741 | Fax: ++356 21385075 | Email
Managing editor Saviour Balzan | Tel. ++356 21382741 | Fax: ++356 21385075 | Email