Photos

1st Place Wrigley – Photo 11-14yrs: Where Flowers don’t Grow

submitted by St Edward's College Vittoriosa : Mattia Agius Muscat  for 11-14
dissemination(s): newspaper, school magazine, school media
filed under Photos

A panoramic view tinted with this shameful eyesore… a large coastal area is slowly becoming a dumping site. Rubber, as well as some broken stools, is destroying the habitat for many insects and plants.  A dumped mattress made all flora rest as it crushed the grass and plants.  Flowers and plants struggle to grow through a dumped tyre.  This problem persists year after year – last year’s rubbish ended up being burnt to the detriment of the surrounding environment. Litter brings more litter – so I suggest that the local council should see to the removal of this bulky refuse. Additionally, immediate action must be taken to put up a sign that whoever is caught dumping will be fined a hefty sum. This site is rich in flora and indigenous rocks and it is such a pity that those who are irresponsible are allowed to ruin and make unlimited damage at no price.



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2nd Place Wrigley – Photo 11-14yrs: Suicide Tree

submitted by St. Clare's College Girls' Secondary Pembroke : Janice Bugeja, Mariah Attard  for 11-14
dissemination(s): school magazine, website
filed under Photos

Under the shade of a tree, a lovely place for a picnic, to relax and enjoy some peace and tranquility. Not under this tree. The undergrowth is seen to be covered with all sorts of litter, the most prominent being plastic bottles which will continue to exist for several years before degrading. They also pose a threat to small wildlife creatures which get trapped in them. Close examination of the litter reveals syringes used for drug abuse making the ground even more dangerous to consider threading on. The photo was taken at St James Ditch Floriana, not far from the road leading to Auberge de Castille, from where hundreds of people pass every day. We appeal to the authorities to have the place cleaned up from this dangerous litter. In the meantime our hearts go out to those who have fallen victim to this abuse !



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3rd Place Wrigley – Photo 11-14yrs: Batterona Campaign?

submitted by Gozo College Boys' Secondary Victoria : EkoSkola Committee  for 11-14
dissemination(s): school media
filed under Photos

Unfortunately car batteries like this are not so rare in our countryside. Apart from being unsightly, the acid in the battery that seeps in the soil damages our environment for many years to come. Not an activity that should be encouraged obviously. These car batteries should be properly disposed of. Perhaps together with the Batterina Campaign there should also be a Batterona Campaign??



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1st Place Wrigley – Photo 15-18yrs: So Goatilicious !

submitted by St.Nicholas College Rabat GSS : Maria Bella Muscat, Yanika Micallef  for 15-18
dissemination(s): school magazine
filed under Photos

This is Wiġi tal-Beżuża tending his sheep and goats at Dingli . His trade has been passed from one generation to the next. Rearing livestock used to involve the whole family. Long ago, when the herd was bigger, women made traditional cheeslets from goats’ milk called ġbejniet and they also sheared their wool. In December 2011, the National Statistics Office stated that the population of sheep decreased by 4.0 % and that of goats by 3.4 % when compared to the previous year. While foraging, one of Wigi’s goats chewed on a discarded plastic bag. Our carelessness is affecting our environment. If we act more responsibly such realities could be avoided. Indeed, we should appreciate our cultural and environmental heritage more. The next time you are enjoying a picnic in the countryside please do dispose wisely of that plastic bag, the outcomes may be greater than you could imagine!



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2nd Place Wrigley – Photo 15-18yrs: Shame, Shame, Shame!

submitted by St Michael School St Venera : Karl Buhagiar  for 15-18
dissemination(s): school magazine
filed under Photos

Dumping in 2013! Irresponsible, shameful and degrading! We cannot enjoy our beautiful islands without witnessing horrendous acts like the one above. Bulk refuse service, which is provided free of charge, is surely the civilised way to deal with undesired junk. Instead, a few mad hatters opt to pollute scenic landscapes away from public scrutiny. Education and effective policing are our best hope to reverse this persistent trend. I hope we restore our shores to their original state and let families and tourist alike enjoy our unrivalled coastline.



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1st Place Press Kids – Photo 7-10yrs: Oil Spill?

submitted by GOZO COLLEGE ZEBBUG PRIMARY : James Bates  for 7-10
dissemination(s): school media
filed under Photos

These are popular steps leading down to Marsalforn Bay. A can full of used engine oil, was thrown down these steps. Somebody threw it out of the car window to get rid of it without thinking what damage and danger is caused. Instead it can be recycled. It can be extremely dangerous and slippery for people, especially for young children, using the steps to go to the beach. Children may touch the oil. It is hazardous if it comes in contact with their skin or even worse if they touch their face, eyes and mouth. Also, the sight of oil on the steps is a great throwback to tourists and locals. This is a huge eyesore.Our economy greatly depends on the tourist industry. The oil together with the rubbish thrown away carelessly make the area look shabby and unwelcoming, besides being of great danger to people and the surrounding environment.



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2nd Place Press Kids – Photo 7-10yrs: Waste

submitted by GOZO COLLEGE ZEBBUG PRIMARY : Ryan Saliba  for 7-10
dissemination(s): school media
filed under Photos

Many people take out their garbage very early and leave it in the street, not hanging. Dogs and cats tear bags that are in the streets and nobody cleans the mess. Some people use the street as a dustbin because they throw everything in the street. Skips are there for nothing because garbage is left next to them. Roundabouts and streets are used as toilets because they are full of dog litter. Even at the seaside people leave litter behind them. We should take care of our environment or we will end up living in a junkyard.



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3rd Place Press Kids – Photo 7-10yrs: The Beauty of Nature

submitted by San Ġorġ Preca College Paola Primary A : Kristina Chircop  for 7-10
dissemination(s): school media, these photos were displayed on display boards
filed under Photos

This photo was taken during a family outing and was used during a photo competition in our school.



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Used or Wasted?!

submitted by Our Lady Immaculate School Hamrun : Martina Agius, Michaela Agius  for 11-14
dissemination(s): EkoSkola Notice board, other
filed under Photos

This photograph was taken at Wied il-Qlejqa, mostly known as Chadwick Lakes. The water shown in this photograph is being absorbed by the rocks but what about the other water that is left? Probably, this precious water would get lost in the sea or cause flooding in the nearby streets. After a few days this water would result in a viscous green soup of algae, resulting in the collection of various insects in the area. Children could easily fall in this murky water. 1 in 8 people in the world do not have clean water. So why not make good use of this water once we have it? Without a doubt this rainwater can be collected in large reservoirs and used for agriculture.



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Beauty and the Beast

submitted by St.Benedict College Girls' Secondary School Tarxien : Maria Micallef  for 11-14
dissemination(s): newspaper, other, Participation in School Open Day, school media
filed under Photos

Just opposite our school’s main entrance gate, one finds a shabby filthy area. As clearly shown in these pictures, this place is being used as an illegal dumping site. Trash, discarded syringes, car bumpers and used motor oil are some of the unpleasant items one finds hidden among trees and grass. Moreover, irresponsible dog owners are taking out their dog for a walk in this area and are not clearing up the mess left by their dogs. Studies reveal that dog excrement can result in serious infections which may cause eye disease including blindness. This site should immediately be cleaned and embellished by the local authorities. CCTV surveillance cameras should be installed to deter littering and vandalism. On the other hand, people should be encouraged to make use of the bulky refuse service provided free of charge by most local councils. As students we hope that immediate action is taken.



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