To mark World Environment Day which is being celebrated today, eight environmental NGOs are calling on everyone to put the environment as a priority when this Saturday, the 8th of June they go out to vote for their preferred candidates in the upcoming elections.
In a joint statement, the ENGOs said that whilst there is practically no doubt that the environment is a priority for the majority of Maltese residents, unfortunately the environment and nature do not have a voice.”
They stressed that, ”in view of this, each and everyone of us should make an effort to ensure that the environment is given the voice it merits, and this can be done by choosing candidates who embrace clear environmental values.”
”We should remember that during the time of the Covid pandemic the only relief we had was to go out to enjoy the countryside and our open spaces. It was the natural environment which provided us with a healthy well-being and it would be good to consider this when we are deciding who to vote for. Environmental protection is not only something national or international,” they said.
The ENGOs also reminded how many actions were taken by several local communities in the past years against projects which were going to destroy, or are still going to destroy, the local environment.
They mentioned among others the Marasakala Marina, Hondoq ir-Rummien in Qala Gozo, the development at Ghajn Rihana, the development in Tal- Bebbux in Zurrieq, the actions on Comino, the protests against the Wied Znuber development, the development close to Ggantija Temples, Manoel Island, the Balzan Valley complex, the protection of Valletta’s UNESCO World Heritage Site status, and the issue about the trees in Mosta Square.
”These are just a few of several occasions when the people gave the environment a voice.,” they said. ”Undoubtedly, the voice of the environment was at its strongest during the huge Xebbajtuna protest when thousands of people demanded a change in the economic model of the country to safeguard our environment.”
The ENGOs insisted that ”the time has now arrived for all those who care for the environment, for all those who participated in the actions taken by the community, for all those who attended the Xebbajtuna protest and for all those who feel that the environment needs a voice, to give this voice to the environment with their vote in the European Parliament and Local Council elections taking place on the 8th of June.”
They said that this call is being especially addressed to the following:
• to the elderly and the parents of young children so that they reflect on the future environment they will leave for generations to come,
• to workers, youths and students who in some way or another understand how important it is to have a strong environment,
• to all those who maybe do not feel the need to vote this Saturday but appreciate the positive common value of a shared healthy environment.
They concluded by saying that, ”to all of these we ask that you heed our call and take this message as the main reason and motivation to go out to vote this coming Saturday, and cast your vote for a better environment.”
The joint statement was endorsed by environmental organisations: BirdLife Malta, Moviment Graffitti, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, Din l-Art Helwa, Friends of the Earth Malta, Nature Trust-FEE Malta, Ramblers’ Association of Malta and Ghawdix