Photos

Litter Curse

submitted by Gozo College Girls Secondary School : EkoSkola Committee  for 11-14
dissemination(s): etwinning url:http://new twinspace.etwinning.net/c/portal/layout?p_l_id=30135526&p_p_id=33&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column 1&p_p_col_count=1&am, other, school magazine, school media
filed under Photos

Heading from Nadur square towards the periphery an impressive view awaits. Within minutes you find yourself at Għar Mixta, the natural cave on the cliff’s edge overlooking Ramla Bay. But … what is that grotesque mound showing on the landscape? What a shame, a heap of rubble, building waste and rusting objects. Not only, a layer of cement strewn by a truck that chose to dispose of this unwanted waste in this oblivious spot. What can be the reason for this litter lout to choose such a place to get rid of this waste? Perhaps to start a new landfill opposite to the one which has been closed a couple of years back. What is this uncontrollable urge to dump unwanted waste in our countryside? Lack of pride in one’s country is obvious. Let us lift the litter curse together to protect our countryside against such irresponsible acts.



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Progress at a Snail’s Pace…?

submitted by Gozo College Girls Secondary School : EkoSkola Committee  for 11-14
dissemination(s): etwinning url: http://new twinspace.etwinning.net/c/portal/layout?p_l_id=30135526&p_p_id=33&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column 1&p_p_col_count=1&a, other, school magazine, school media
filed under Photos

The quality of life in the Maltese Islands has seen a rapid improvement. Unfortunately even snails nowadays have access to computers. A computer complete with monitor and printer secluded in a sea of grass was the sight that awaited those taking a stroll along Wied ta’ Żejta in Victoria. Why should it be that the state of the environment is regressing because of this so called progress? It needs to be improving much faster than at a snail’s pace.



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Reuse or Abuse?

submitted by Gozo College Girls Secondary School : Christine Galea  for 11-14
dissemination(s): etwinning url:http://new twinspace.etwinning.net/c/portal/layout?p_l_id=30135526&p_p_id=33&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column 1&p_p_col_count=1&am, school magazine, school media, website
filed under Photos

Spring is round the corner. Such a delight to visit open spaces: wild flowers all around me, tall grass growing haphazardly, birds chirping in the trees and the occasional dog roaming around. But I am brought back to reality by the old and rusted tanks and carcasses of washing machines that are used to block entrance to some fields. I imagine myself a tourist wandering about in the countryside and seeing these things for the first time in my life. I can’t bear the thoughts. Do I have to endure these sights throughout my future? The law bans this type of abuse but they are still happening….



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The Litter Saga continues…

submitted by Gozo College Girls Secondary School : Antonella Vella Muskat  for 11-14
dissemination(s): other, school website url:http://ads.skola.edu.mt/news/2013 2014/24FEB/LitterSaga.html etwinning url: http://new twinspace.etwinning.net/c/portal/layout?p_l_id=30135526&p_p_id=33&p_p_lifecycle=0&, school magazine, school media, website
filed under Photos

During a green walk organised by the EkoSkola committee along Marsalforn Valley, I was surprised with what was in store for me. We walked through a secluded area which was like a haven with dragon flies and damsel flies flying peaceful over the temporary river with its banks covered in green. But this euphoria ended abruptly. A heap of broken tiles, ragged mattresses and rusting iron beds scattered all over the area leading to the Tas-Salvatur Hill, an area popular with locals and tourists alike. Recently, Gozo has been classified as the 3rd best island in Europe. It is something to be really proud of. The comments which lead to this classification certainly overwhelmed comments about bulk and irresponsible littering. Our visit to this area at the foot of tas-Salvatur hillock leading to Marsalforn tends to question our sense of pride. Are we really worth this placing?



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Unwanted company!

submitted by Gozo College Girls Secondary School : Carmen Attard  for 11-14
dissemination(s): etwinning url:http://new twinspace.etwinning.net/c/portal/layout?p_l_id=30135526&p_p_id=33&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column 1&p_p_col_count=1&am, school magazine, school media, website
filed under Photos

Lack of awareness towards the environment is leading to the destruction of local biodiversity and beauty at the enchanting spot at the limits of Kercem known as the fresh water pond of San Raflu. Alien species are invading the area. This spot is supposed to be a haven for ducks, frogs, fish and turtles but also to locals and visitors alike. Irresponsible persons are turning this oasis into a dumping site both litter wise and by dumping unwanted unusual pets. Litter and alien species of both flora and fauna are changing the site over.



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A new type of compost

submitted by B'Kara St.Monica School : Lara Caruana Melbourne  for 11-14
dissemination(s): Ekoskola noticeboard, other, school media, website
filed under Photos

I have always loved to visit a green area where the air was pure. Lately I went for a walk and the sight of all this litter automatically caught my attention. Why is litter thrown in green areas or even on the streets when litter bins are found at every corner of every street? I don’t get it! If you are too lazy to get to a local bin at least take it home with you and bin it there. I don’t think anyone would like it if someone littered our home so don’t litter the environment which is home to all creatures and animals. About 498600 tonnes of waste were deposited at the dump site in Malta these past few years*. This can be reduced if we recycle and separate our waste so that it would be turned into something useful. *taken from “www.wasteservmalta.com”



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A Littered Land

submitted by Mater Boni Consilii Paola St. Joseph : Jasmine Bartolo  for 11-14
dissemination(s): other, School Assembly, website
filed under Photos

Paper bags, take away boxes and more … is THIS what we want? Our land is getting littered more and more as seconds go by! What can we do? We should all feel the responsibility. Do not throw rubbish on the floor, it’s dirtying our land and causing more disease spread by insects. CLEAN THE LAND, MAKE IT YOUR FRIEND.



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Spot the Difference

submitted by St.Benedict College Girls' Secondary School Tarxien : Alexia Formosa  for 11-14
dissemination(s): newspaper, other, school media, Special School Assembly Celebrate Earth Hour, website
filed under Photos

These photographs show the difference between clean and polluted seawater. One of the pictures was taken at Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq. Although hardly visible, the presence of foul smell in the area, possibly indicated contaminated seawater due to sewage discharge. In contrast, the other photograph was taken at Sliema, where the sea was clear and unpolluted. As a young reporter for the environment, I recommend the launch of an awareness campaign such that more people reduce, separate and dispose of waste responsibly. For example, people should use the waste separation bins found on different beaches around Malta. Furthermore, the authorities should ensure that the local waste water treatment plants are working in an efficient manner to safeguard the marine environment.



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Keep Our Seas Clean

submitted by St.Benedict College Girls' Secondary School Tarxien : Marvic Micallef  for 11-14
dissemination(s): newspaper, other, school media, Special School Assembly Celebrate Earth Hour, website
filed under Photos

As young reporters for the environment, we were invited to attend the Turtle Release event organised by Nature Trust (Malta) and its Wildlife Rescue Team. This educational activity was held at the Blue Flag beach of Paradise Bay Hotel at Cirkewwa-Malta. These photographs show one of the injured turtles which was found by local fishermen after swallowing fishing hooks and nylon. The turtles were first taken in at the Malta Aquaculture Research Centre, Forti San Lucjan Marsaxlokk. Further medical treatment was provided by Nature Trust and its Wildlife Rescue volunteers and veterinary surgeon Dr.Anthony Gruppetta. Other serious threats to marine turtles include marine debris such as floating plastic bags and oil spills. A public campaign should be launched such that ship operators and boat owners do their utmost to keep our seas clean, thus protecting these marine creatures.



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Duckling in a poisonous pond

submitted by St. Margaret College Boys Secondary Verdala : Corben Lee Gatt, Gareth Blundell  for 11-14
dissemination(s): newspaper, school media
filed under Photos

Along ‘Gardiel’ street in the locality of Marsascala there is a small natural pond called ‘il-Magħluq tal-Baħar’ which is supposed to be a natural park for ducks and fish. Withstanding the natural beauty of this pond, passing by people use it as dumping zone contaminating the pond with toxic wastes. On holding a brief investigation at the pond, I observed dirty water and toxic products coming afloat. Some toxic products are flame retardant chemicals which when in touch with other toxic chemicals thrown in the same pond can literally poison the water risking killing most of our local ducks and fish. Solid waste is also observed floating in the pond contaminating both freshwater and the pond bank vegetation. On contacting the Marsascala Local Council, I recommended regular pH tests of the water, more recycling bins and law enforcement with secret cameras to conserve the pond and protect the local ducks.



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