Environmental organisations yesterday joined Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino and shadow environment minister Leo Brincat in a global call for action on climate change.
The activity, organised by Friends of the Earth Malta, saw a small crowd forming the words Act Now. FOE called for an end to the offsetting of carbon emissions through trading schemes, and demanded a fair deal to protect the world’s poorest who will suffer most from the effects of climate change.
Alternattiva Demokratika, together with Moviment Graffitti, Zminijietna Voice of the Left and Koperattiva Kummerc Gust expressed their concern on the uncertain outcome of the UN Copenhagen Climate Summit.
“The UN climate summit in Copenhagen was supposed to be the culmination of the ‘road map’ to a new UN climate deal, which was set out in Bali two years ago. COP15 is unlikely to be the end of the road map,” the groups said in a statement.
“Unfortunately, a complete and binding legal UN treaty on climate change to follow on from the first period of the Kyoto protocol (post-2012) will not be finalized.”
Ralph Cassar, AD spokesperson for on industry, energy and transport said a study conducted by a Malta-based scientist shows Malta is still far off from reaching the EU target of a reduction in emissions and achieve the 10% of energy from renewable sources by 2020.
“The lack of vision in this area is incredible. Words come cheap but action is sorely lacking. Lawrence Gonzi is showing no leadership when it comes to taking the necessary steps to wean Malta off its total dependence on oil. The share of renewable energy technologies in Malta is risible, with less than 0.01% from photovoltaics and 1% savings from solar water heaters. An immediate measure can be the installation of solar water heaters on 50,000 houses throughout Malta and Gozo and the freezing of building heights to ensure that solar equipment can be installed without the fear that adjacent buildings do not shadow this equipment because of changers in planning regulations.”
AD chairperson Michael Brigulgio added: ”It is clear that as things stand Malta will not reach its targets. Enemalta lacks credibility, and government policy regarding energy generation is to say the least baffling. The choice of ‘dirty’ energy at the Delimara power station is a case in point. The same can be said for the lack of action to introduce a feed-in-tariff system. Yet again, sustainable development is being used mainly as a buzzword, and not as the basis for a clear policy framework.
“Unfortunately, our bigger political parties often have a short-time horizon and climate change issues have longer-term aspect impacts, and this may be one reason why such issues are often put on the backburner in Maltese politics.”
In Copenhagen yesterday, thousands of people marched through the Danish capital city as part of a global protest to demand action from leaders at UN climate talks there.
Security was stepped up along the four-mile (6km) route, with extra police on the streets and security fences put up around some buildings. Marches were also held in Australia, Hong Kong, Jakarta and the Philippines.
More than 50 protesters were arrested in Copenhagen following a smaller demonstration on Friday. Activists are arguing for an ambitious, legally binding agreement on emissions cuts to be signed by world leaders at the summit’s conclusion at the end of next week.
A number of famous figures were due to join the protest, among them Bollywood actor Rahul Bose, model and photographer Helena Christensen and former UN human rights commissioner Mary Robinson.
In Australia, where events were held as part of the country’s fifth Walk Against Warming, the largest protest was held in Melbourne. The march closed with protesters spelling out the message “Safe Climate – Do It!” on the ground.
Organisers said aerial photographs had been taken and would be sent to delegates at the talks in Copenhagen.
Thousands of demonstrators also gathered in front of Australia’s parliament house in the capital, Canberra. On Friday, European Union leaders agreed a three-year deal to pay €7.2bn to help poorer nations cope with climate change.
But leaders of developing countries and some aid agencies described the sum offered by the EU as inadequate.
Meanwhile, in Copenhagen, officials released a draft text of a possible final deal in which rich countries are asked to raise their pledges on greenhouse gas emissions cuts.
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