Tribute to Julian Manduca

Julian Manduca was considered by many to be one of Malta’s leading environmental activists, who spearheaded the creation of an umbrella organisation for environmental groups in response to the continued development onslaught that gripped the Maltese Islands in the 1980s. This organisation, Żgħażagħ Għall-Ambjent, would eventually become Friends of the Earth Malta.

Julian was seen by the Maltese public as a strong reference point when it came to controversial environmental issues, including waste management, land use, GMOs, the chemical crisis at the Magħtab landfill, and large-scale development projects such as the Hilton, Ta’ Ċenċ, and the golf course.

His sudden death in 2005 sent shockwaves through the environmental community, which lost one of its most dedicated, wise, and knowledgeable spokespersons. It is because of Julian that Friends of the Earth Malta is part of this large network of environmental groups spread across the globe.

All forthcoming staff and volunteers at Friends of the Earth Malta continue to assume Julian’s mantle, by carrying on his good efforts to protect Malta’s land, air, and water as best as they can.