Most predictions of environmental change portend a significant impact on small island states. Changing environmental conditions in Malta are likely to reduce rainfall and exacerbate flash floods; eliminate ‘sun, sea and sand’ tourism; privilege certain crops and fish stocks versus others; and challenge the fabric of our land and sea transport infrastructure (including an eventual Malta-Gozo bridge or tunnel).

What are the impacts of such changes on employment, investment and on the overall health of the Maltese economy?

A two day international symposium will run at the Valletta Campus of the University of Malta on Monday and Tuesday, the 1st and 2nd of December 2014, to explore these important themes.

The event is hosted by the Centre for Labour Studies and the Institute of Earth Systems of the University of Malta, in collaboration with the University of Prince Edward Island, Canada; and supported by the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, USA, and the University of the West Indies (Barbados campus).

Both scholars of international repute and local experts will present position papers that explore the impact of global environmental change on four important economic sectors: agriculture (including viticulture), fisheries, transportation and tourism.

The event will be followed by small group-based training workshops on Thursday and Friday, 4 & 5 December, that discuss the methodologies involved in coming up with models and scenarios.

Minister Leo Brincat will be inaugurating the symposium.

Full and final programme is available for download from: https://www.um.edu.mt/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/204726/PROGRAMME-Global_Env_Change_and_Small_Islands-revised.pdf

Prof. Godfrey Baldacchino and Dr Charles Galdies are the event co-chairs.

Permalink: Global Environmental Change & Small Island States: Economic & Labour Market Implications on Malta