The EIB Climate Survey made the headlines earlier in November and it was quite a reality check (if anyone still needs one) with very worrying results showing that over 80% of Maltese fear they will be forced to move due to climate change while 99% recognise it is important for their country to adapt to these challenges. Climate anxiety is on the rise and many feel that not enough is being done. To address this rising trend Friends of the Earth Malta partnered up with environmental and mental health NGOs from Estonia, Germany and Denmark on the EU funded project CALM-EY: Coping with Climate Anxiety: Learning Methods for Mental Health for European Youth (2023-2025).
Climate justice, awareness and education
What are we doing and why is it important?
We envision a society of interdependent people living in dignity, wholeness and fulfilment where equity and human and people’s rights are realised. This will be a society built upon peoples’ sovereignty and participation. It will be founded on social, economic, gender and environmental justice and free from all forms of domination and exploitation, such as neo-liberalism, corporate globalization, neo-colonialism, racism, patriarchy and militarism.
We believe that such social issues are intricately linked to climate change, its root causes, and resulting consequences. This conviction drives our commitment to сlimate justice, awareness and education projects addressing the social dimensions of climate change. These projects focus on mitigating climate anxiety, addressing migration induced by climate change, understanding the role of youth in global climate processes, and promoting climate-resilient gardening practices as a means of adaptation to environmental changes.
The Youth Proposal for a Green Deal for Europe
The Youth from across Europe have raised their voices. This proposal highlights the need for change, the need for a better future that is socially just and ecologically sound. Not only must our future include healthier environments, restoration of the commons and reduced pollution, we are pushing for better access to education, a respect for different cultural backgrounds and the redistribution of wealth to support the Global South. This is not just a vision for the future of the environment, it is one for people across the world to bring forth climate justice and social justice.
Calm-EY project
We aim to develop knowledge for specialists working with youth on climate worry and its mental and social effects, provide them with the necessary tools to recognise climate-related anxiety and distress in young people and help them manage it. As well as competencies and self-help methods for young people to be able to support their own mental health and wellbeing. Key outputs:
– Training programme for professionals working with youth on how climate worry
– Support groups for young people experiencing climate worry
– Self-help material for young people.
Past projects
Climate Resilient Gardening
This project hosted urban gardening activities within the climate emergency reality both in terms of practical preparedness in a warming climate and also highlighting the importance of urban gardens in a world in crisis. It offered participants the tools and expertise on how to grow their own food in urban areas whilst offering a haven for biodiversity to thrive.
#ClimateOfChange
With #ClimateOfChange we highlighted the interconnection between migration and climate change as well as the need to transform our economy and change our everyday lives. The vision is to promote the needs and protect the human rights of all people, without exploiting others and destroying the environment.
System: Reset
We live at a time of multi-layered environmental and social injustices, with the ongoing climate and ecological crisis disproportionately affecting the most marginalised communities. Yet these communities tend to be excluded from political decision-making, cut out of discussions about what the future of our societies will look like. System:Reset project was contributing to change this.
Climate publications
News
A Festive Bike Repair Cafe at University of Malta
On Tuesday 3 December Friends of the Earth Malta together with the Institute for Climate Change and Sustainable Development and a bike mechanic from The Cyclist organised a Bike Repair Cafe on campus at the University of Malta.
Malta’s high rise in greenhouse gas emissions: What does this mean for the green transition and how can we do better?
Climate change is here. 2023 was the hottest year on record. A 2ºC rise compared to pre-industrialised levels holds a dangerous consequence for the environment and what has been proved to contribute to the increase of temperatures is the rise of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions which are produced by human activity. Therefore, it’s crucial and urgent for global warming to stay below a 2ºC increase. Friends of the Earth Malta, alongside other environmental NGOs, advocate for a 1.5ºC target, in line with the Paris Agreement.
Sharing inspiring visions of a Fossil Free future for Malta through art, stories and music
Friends of the Earth Malta has brought together hopeful visions for Malta’s future in the creative zine ‘Imagining a Fossil Free Malta’, to share inspiration for a fossil free future for Malta.
Empowering Youth to Contribute to Their Communities through Social Permaculture
Monday 16 September marked the start of European Mobility Week (EMW) – the European Commission’s yearly awareness-raising campaign on sustainable urban mobility. However, we observed complete radio silence from our government, when the urgency to promote sustainable mobility in Malta has never been greater.
COP29: Opening Pandora’s Box for people and the planet
“The supposed ‘COP of climate finance’ has turned into the ‘COP of false solutions. The terrible deal on finance destroys the notion of historical responsibility of the rich big polluting countries and pushes private debt creating finance. Global North countries are no longer obligated to provide finance to the Global South as enshrined in the Paris Agreement. COP29 also put a final nail in the coffin, opening the door to the global carbon market and the disastrous impacts for communities and ecosystems. We have seen the impacts of these schemes: land grabs, Indigenous Peoples rights and human rights violations and more.”
How Azerbaijan’s Leadership Cast a Shadow Over COP29
“The supposed ‘COP of climate finance’ has turned into the ‘COP of false solutions. The terrible deal on finance destroys the notion of historical responsibility of the rich big polluting countries and pushes private debt creating finance. Global North countries are no longer obligated to provide finance to the Global South as enshrined in the Paris Agreement. COP29 also put a final nail in the coffin, opening the door to the global carbon market and the disastrous impacts for communities and ecosystems. We have seen the impacts of these schemes: land grabs, Indigenous Peoples rights and human rights violations and more.”
Why do people use micromobility?
Find out why Sergio moves around on rollerblades, Jonathan takes his kids to school by cargo bike, and Nazlican goes to work with an e-kick scooter. Let’s celebrate the multiple benefits of micromobility
What’s the Climate COP and why do we call for it to go Fossil Free?
Climate change is here, and its effects are already felt around the world. Over the past year, we have witnessed the hottest months on record. COP stands for the Conference of the Parties, which is the supreme decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
What is micromobility?
Meet Martina, Jonathan, Corinne and others to find out how they move around their city on their bike, on foot, wheelchair, scooter, roller skates and even a cargo bike!
Climate Emotions Support Group
Amidst news about heat waves, extreme weather events and climate chaos, it is easy to despair. However, there is nothing as powerful as collective action to show we are not alone and that solutions for a brighter future exist.
Friends of the Earth Malta is bringing together hopeful visions for Malta’s future in a zine ‘Imagining a Fossil Free Malta’ to share inspiration and calls to action
Looking back at our Urban Cycling Skills Training & Group Ride
As the Erasmus+ funded project comes to its concluding months, in September Friends of the Earth Malta participated in the final transnational meeting of Blooming Schools hosted by Station Europe in Bucharest. The project aims to increase awareness and biodiversity especially in secondary schools by empowering young people to take action for nature.