Act for Climate Now

The climate crisis is the most pertinent global issue that we are facing. We must demand that politicians make decisions to safeguard the future now, not later! Join this Week of Action in Malta to show that you demand that the government Declares a Climate Emergency.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE?

#1 Get a group of people together. You can organise your school, your workplace or a group of friends. If you are on your own, you can still create an action.

#2 Organise and create an action (check ideas below)

#3 Register your action (form below)

#4 Take a photo of the action and post it on social media using #ActNowMalta 

Check out the event 👉FACEBOOK and don’t forget to SHARE IF YOU CARE.

You can also join the Climate Strike: https://www.facebook.com/events/433270503947548/

 Are you planning an action? Register it below:

We want to show that people acted for Climate. The photos and media submitted will be used for a Press Release at the end of the week of action and in Climate related media work by Friends of the Earth Malta to continue with the climate campaign.

WHY ACT NOW FOR CLIMATE?

The change in climate is already affecting those most vulnerable, with communities losing their homes, be it sea level rise, natural disasters, or people are forced into migration due to drought and famine. In Malta, there is a lack of planning on how to mitigate climate disasters, and we are not equipped to adapt to a changing climate. A sense of urgency not being felt, with our limited natural resources being evermore exploited (agricultural land, groundwater) while other renewable resources (rainwater, solar energy, wind energy) are not effectively harnessed. Most importantly, politicians are making one blunder after another to the detriment of the environment and our wellbeing, with no holistic vision for the future. The next generations are being made more precarious every day if politicians do not put the Climate Crisis and Climate Justice on top of the agenda. We want to join the Global Climate Movement to show that we all want a better future. 

If you believe that Declaring a Climate Emergency and putting Climate Crisis on the top of the agenda if important, act for climate.

OUR DEMAND: Declare Climate Emergency

The government must declare a climate and ecological emergency, working with other institutions to communicate the urgency for change. The 2015 Paris agreement saw nations commit to keeping the global temperature at under the 1.5°C. The average global temperature is rising and will continue to do so if all governments do not acknowledge and act to remedy the situation. By Declaring Climate Emergency our government must commit to:

#1 Malta must meet its climate targets and stop relying on fossil fuels

We must stop burning fossil fuels.

Malta, we have not achieved the scale or the speed to restructure our energy, agriculture, resource, and mobility sectors. The government may not even reach its 10% renewables targets by 2020 (compared to the 20% EU average). The majority of our energy production comes from the burning of fossil fuel. Growth of the renewable sector in Malta is being limited by planning policies favouring multi-storey apartment blocks which increase the frequency and depth of shadowing of rooftops. Continued investment in road widening and infrastructure tailored for private vehicles is also leading to more fossil-fuel burning cars on the roads. The government must urgently and drastically reduce our net CO2 emissions, reducing reliance on private vehicles, introduce renewable energy sources, energy-saving measures, fundamentally change our patterns of nutrition, mobility and consumption. Our government must pledge for a just and equitable transition to 100% Renewable Energy by 2030.

#2 Reject false solutions that are displacing real solutions to the climate crisis

The government must stop entertaining false solutions and temporary fixes. 

According to the draft National Energy and Climate Plan setting out Malta’s objections for energy for 2030, the island is only expected to meet its targets in part through  “statistical transfers.” This refers to an accounting procedure that transfers one country’s unused renewable energy to another. This is not a real solution! Road widening and replacing existing cars with electric ones are not real solutions to the climate crisis but end of pipe solutions that transfer the emissions problem from the car’s tailpipe to the chimney stack at the power station. Real solutions are people-centred solution. Green energy must be accessible to all at a community level. Public and alternative transport must be at the heart of the transition since in Malta transport is the largest source of greenhouse gases. The government must preserve and restore environments that are carbon-sinks and shift towards agro-ecology and food sovereignty.

#3 Take a clear position on the international stage to prevent climate catastrophe.

Malta must take a clear position on the international stage to prevent climate catastrophe. Without far-reaching and consistent change, our future is in danger. Our concerns are supported by the best available science. Malta needs to make its voice heard in EU institutions to support policies for decarbonization and a just transition.

#4 Malta must prepare to adapt to climate change.

The climate crisis will affect people disproportionately. We are already seeing how heat waves and droughts are affecting those who are precarious and vulnerable. Farmers for one who rely on climate conditions to earn their livelihood, are already and can continue to suffer from the detrimental effects of climate change. 

Resources for ideas:

1. CLIMATE STRIKE ARTS KIT
2. HOW TO PAINT A STREET MURAL
3. CLIMATE SONGS

The action is supported by:

• Extinction Rebellion Malta / Estinzjoni Rewwixta
• Bicycle Advocacy Group (BAG)
• Radio Mocha Malta
• Malta Cafe Scientifique
• For our Trees
• LearnD
• Nature Trust – FEE Malta
• Fashion Revolution Malta
• The Bubble NGO
• Greenhouse Malta
• Repubblika
• KSU – Kunsill Studenti Universitarji
• MSPCA – formerly SPCA Malta
• Animal Liberation Malta
• The Astronomical Society of Malta
• FAA Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar
• Eco Market Malta
• S-Cubed – Science Students’ Society
• Moviment Graffitti

Are you an organisation/community group and want to support the action. Fill in the form below