Friends of the Earth Malta together with seven other environment groups are calling on the public to join a National Rally in Valletta on 13th March, to raise the issue of ongoing environmental abuse and lack of law enforcement. The rally in Valletta is aimed at calling on the government to effectively enforce existing laws and put an end to ongoing environmental abuse including Out of Development Zone construction encroachment illegal hunting and trapping, destruction of heritage and EU protected Natura 2000 sites, violation of Malta’s Structure Plan, of the EU air pollution Directive and unauthorized groundwater extraction. The NGOs...
European public let down by Maltese Commissioner
Commissioner Dalli Gives Green Light to GMOs A decision announced by John Dalli, Europe’s new health and consumer commissioner, to give the go ahead for genetically modified potatoes to be grown in Europe, has been condemned by Friends of the Earth Malta. The ‘Amflora’ potato, designed to produce starch for industrial purposes by Germany´s chemical giant BASF, carries a controversial antibiotic resistant gene which it cannot be guaranteed will not enter the food chain. Martin Galea De Giovanni, chairperson of Friends of the Earth Malta said: “This is a bad day for European citizens and the environment. The new Commissioner...
MPs urged to Act Now!
During a symbolic action held on the day that parliament reconvened after the holiday recess, Friends of the Earth Malta urged MPs to keep climate change and other pressing environmental issues on top of their agenda. MPs were presented with an FoE Malta 2010 calendar, featuring images submitted by various local schools. The monthly images form the letters ACT NOW made up of students in a bid to remind our politicians that immediate and drastic action needs to be taken to secure the future of our generation and the planet’s wellbeing from the expected threats of man-made climate change. We...
Climate Anti-Climax in Copenhagen
Hopenhagen turns into Copendisaster Commenting on the failure of rich country governments to secure a strong and fair UN agreement to tackle climate change in Copenhagen, Martin Galea De Giovanni Chairperson of Friends of the Earth Malta said: Politicians cannot call this outcome a success when in fact nothing meaningful has been agreed. Negotiations must now become even more intense to reach a just and effective climate agreement. The European Union and other rich countries have stood motionless when giant strides forward are required given the scale and urgency of the climate crisis facing the world. The world now needs...
Maltese Citizens Send Clear Message to World Leaders in Copenhagen
Thousands of activists from around the world including Malta have joined Friends of the Earth International’s demand for climate justice and an end to offsetting carbon emissions. A series of events were organised in Valletta today the 12th of December to coincide with the annual United Nations Climate Talks which are taking place this year in Copenhagen, Denmark. The day will kick off at 10:00 with the launch of a short film called “Beat the Change†at St. James Cavalier, and a forum discussion on climate change – “Beat the Change – Invest in climate solutionsâ€, chaired by Vince Fabri....
Demand Climate Justice – Join us in Valletta
Make your voice heard! Join us in Valletta Million of supporters of Friends of the Earth International worldwide want the United Nations (UN) climate talks talking place until the 18 December to become a milestone towards ‘Climate Justice’, but the chances of achieving a just and effective UN agreement in Copenhagen are extremely slim. To demonstrate their desire for climate justice, thousands of people are expected to ‘flood’ the streets of Copenhagen in the morning of December 12 in a march organized by FoEI to demand climate justice and an end to carbon offsetting, which is a false solution to...
EU: Up Your Targets at Copenhagen
Europe must commit to at least 40% emissions reductions by 2020 without offsetting Europe must commit to at least 40% reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 without offsetting, Friends of the Earth International urged today as European Heads of State meet in parallel to the UN climate negotiations in Copenhagen. The meeting of the European Council in Brussels on Thursday 10 and Friday 11 December will discuss climate change and emissions targets for the EU with serious implications for the ongoing international talks. The European Union has to date committed to a 20% emission cut by 2020, and pledged...
Climate Action Day – ACT NOW
12.12.09 – Beat the Change Friends of the Earth Malta will be joining millions of people around the world in a bid to raise awareness on climate change. A series of events will be organised in Valletta on the 12th of December to coincide with the annual United Nations Climate Talks which are taking place this year in Copenhagen, Denmark. The day will kick off at 10:00 with the launch of a short film called “Beat the Change” at St. James Cavalier, and a forum discussion on climate change – “Beat the Change – Invest in climate solutions”. Local food...
Reforming Public Transport for a Greener Future
Friends of the Earth Malta welcomes the decision to reform the public transport system in Malta as a long awaited and much needed move for the country. Aiming for a more efficient system means more people may be willing to leave their cars at home and use this service. The benefits are widespread ,less traffic coongestion, less noise and less pollution. Friends of the Earth Malta states that public transport should continue to be regulated by government. In the hands of a private business, routes which do not provide a large profit margin may be left out. For these reforms...
Budget 2010: Was Budget 2010 green enough?
Energy and renewables Friends of the Earth Malta welcomes the funds allocated in the Budget 2010 for environmental projects and alternative energy. However Friends of the Earth Malta (FoE Malta) states that in some aspects the budget was lacking in long term social and environmental vision. The utility charges penalise basic consumption. Government should protect basic consumption and penalize waste using the polluter-pays-principal as a guiding concept and a scientific study on energy consumption as the determining mark by which the subsidy is regulated. FoE Malta is aware that we have failed once more to adopt a sensible version of...