One of the effects of global warming is the current movement of migrants from Africa to Europe, with Malta caught directly in between.
Malta is in fact at the centre of the map indicating climate change for the next 50 years, and even if our direct impact on the global problem may be small, there are nonetheless things Malta can do to contribute towards an eventual solution.
These were among the issues raised during a seminar about climate change and its effect on the environment in Malta, organised by the independent think-tank Today Public Policy Institute (TPPI) at the Chamber of Commerce in Valletta on Friday.
Michael Zammit Cutajar, the Maltese government’s representative on the climate change talks, explained that climate change is still a young discipline (only 20 years old) when compared to other matters such as trade talks.
“Is it a manageable challenge? Yes, if we act assiduously and willingly,” he said.
He explained that if the temperature rises beyond two degrees centigrade in the next century, it would be difficult to control the phenomenon. On the other hand, if it is less than two degrees centigrade in the next century, it would be manageable.
Cutajar said that climate change has now become part of the agenda of EU member states and other countries because it is a security issue as well, including energy security.
Zammit Cutajar said that up to half of the emissions could be reduced if we do small things, such as switching off the electricity when leaving the room and using less water.
For our own survival survive, we must mitigate the impact of climate change and adapt to it, Zammit Cutajar said. “Malta does not have a choice. We have to adapt. Through the EU we have a political lever which we would not have had, if we stayed out of it.”
He said developed countries have the financial and human resources to act, and should carry a substantial part of the burden of adaptation to climate change since they are the heaviest polluters.
For instance, the United States emits 24 tonnes of CO2 emissions, while the European Union and Japan emit 10 tonnes of CO2 emissions each.
On the other hand, developing countries should also carry their share of the burden as well, since their emissions are on the rise.
For instance, China emits 5 tonnes of CO2 emissions, while India emits 2 tonnes.
On his part, Martin Scicluna, Chief Executive of the Today Public Policy Institute (TPPI), presented an action plan for Malta in order to survive the climate change phenomenon.
“This action plan might not cover all the aspects of climate change but will provide a stimulus,” Scicluna said.
The plan covers seven main issues: water supply, energy security, tourism, food supply, health, the built environment and migration.
For instance, in tourism, the action plan calls for an assessment of the question of “whether we can any longer sustain over a million visitors a year given the increasing pressure on water and energy resources,” Scicluna said.
"Climate change is a clear and present danger. No one can predict its outcome or its effects with complete certainty. But scientists now know enough to understand the risks. Malta will not escape them.
“To those who would argue that it will be some while before the effects of climate change begin to impinge on our comfortable lives, the response must be a loud and clear: ‘they have already started – and may get worse.’ The challenge now is to keep it within manageable limits,” Scicluna said.

czahra@mediatoday.com.mt