Photos

Homeless

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

This picture shows a helpless cat in an abandoned yard. Fortunately, my grandmother feeds stray cats everyday providing them with necessary food and water. One should remember that animal cruelty includes also the abandonment of poor innocent animals. These creatures suffer a lot without shelter all the year round, in cold winter days and in the scorching summer heat. Moreover, they risk being hit by motor vehicles. As a young student, I urge individuals who want to keep a pet to adopt animals from animal sanctuaries rather than purchasing them from pet shops. Moreover, neutering should be encouraged to reduce the problem of stray animals. Cats that live indoors may escape and produce several kittens if not neutered. Each year, hundreds of homeless cats and dogs are euthanized or end up in shelters.



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Fresh water courses

submitted by The Archbishop's Seminary : Luca Micallef  for 11-14
dissemination(s): newspaper, school magazine, website
filed under Photos

Fresh water courses are becoming quite scarce locally and this is mainly due to the excessive increase in the built up environment. Such scenes as the one shown in the picture are amazingly beautiful. Fresh water communities are also habitats for numerous species such as the endangered and endemic Maltese Fresh Water Crab – Potamon P. fluviatile lanfrancoi and the Maltese Painted Frog – Discoglossus pictus. Fresh water communities are highly important since a rare number of species use it as their habitat. Protection of such areas however has to start from each and every one of us and informing is the major element.



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The lofty oak from a small acorn grows !

submitted by The Archbishop's Seminary : Dylan Cachia  for 11-14
dissemination(s): newspaper, school magazine, school media, website
filed under Photos

The Holm Oak, locally known as Ballut and scientifically known as Quercux Ilex is a native evergreen tree species found in the Mediterranean region due to the climate of the area. Such trees are able to live in such a climate since the microscopically thin hairs growing on the leaves allow it to retain water. These hairs make the leaf look white underneath and this helps to reflect the sun’s scorching heat especially during the summer months. This tree can create both male and female flowers. The female flowers in turn create the acorn shown in the picture once they are pollinated. Once the acorns fall onto the soil below they are able to germinate and a new tree starts growing. The Holm Oak is also one of those species which can tolerate air pollution so its importance is undoubtedly priceless .



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Enjoying Natural Scenery

submitted by St.Benedict College Girls' Secondary School Tarxien : Donalise Aquilina  for 15-18
dissemination(s): other, Participation in School Photographic Competition & School Open Day, school media, website
filed under Photos

Photographing natural scenery is certainly one of my favourite pastimes. These photos show picturesque views of popular bays located in the Maltese islands, such as Għajn Tuffieħa. People are relaxing at the seaside with their families while enjoying the sea breeze and the beautiful sunset. As youths, we hope that this natural beauty remains intact for future generations.



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Safeguarding our Coastline and Marine Life

submitted by St.Benedict College Girls' Secondary School Tarxien : Maria D'Amato  for 15-18
dissemination(s): other, Participation in School Photographic Competition & School Open Day, school media, website
filed under Photos

These photographs were taken in the South of Malta, where one finds picturesque bays excellent for swimming. On the sandy beaches, one finds seaweed which is washed to shore through winds and sea currents. Unfortunately, amounts of seaweed at times accumulate on the beach. Moreover, the regular use of small boats in these areas is adversely affecting this natural marine environment. Some boat operators may deliberately or accidentally discharge oil, fuel or cleaning agents into the sea putting at risk the life of several marine animals. Given this scenario, action must urgently be taken to protect the coastline and marine life through regular beach cleaning and law enforcement.



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The Year 2463

submitted by St.Benedict College Girls' Secondary School Tarxien : Joslyn Falzon  for 15-18
dissemination(s): other, Participation in School Open Day, school media
filed under Photos

Just imagine for a moment, the year 2463. The plastic bottles shown in this photograph will finally cease to exist. Research shows that plastic material takes at least 450 years to decompose into the sea. This waste is certainly a threat to sea birds and several marine animals as some of them become entangled in it and die. Other creatures, in particular endangered sea turtles, mistake plastic bags for jelly fish. The ingestion of plastic material by these animals is often fatal as it blocks their intestines making them starve to death. Online research reveals that during an autopsy performed on a dead turtle scientists discovered 1,000 pieces of plastic in its stomach!! Public awareness should be increased urging people to reduce, re-use and recycle plastic waste. More litter and recycling bins should be placed on the beaches and people should be responsible and make proper use of them.



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Name and Shame

submitted by St.Benedict College Girls' Secondary School Tarxien : Joslyn Falzon  for 15-18
dissemination(s): newspaper, other, Participation in School Open Day, school media
filed under Photos

These pictures were taken in the vicinity of the Marsa abattoir. The area is full of trash, used tyres and construction material waste. It’s a shame that in 2013 still exist irresponsible individuals who are illegally dumping waste material posing a threat to our health. Such littering and careless disposal of food items and refuse is certainly a main cause of rodent infestation. This dilapidated area should immediately be cleaned and embellished by the local authorities. Law enforcement should be strengthened and hefty fines should be imposed to deter littering. CCTV surveillance cameras should be installed to ensure that no further littering is made. People should be encouraged to use the bulky refuse service which is provided free of charge by most local councils. This service should be further promoted through the media, particularly television and social networks. As a young reporter, I urge the authorities to take immediate action!



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Littering in my Locality

submitted by Gzira St.Monica School : Rebecca Bonnici  for 15-18
dissemination(s): school magazine, school media
filed under Photos

I took this picture a few weeks ago. This litter was lying on the pavement near our garage and was left there for quite some time. Apart from being an eyesore to the people passing by, it is also very unhygienic. This litter could have been seen by tourists passing by, suggesting that the Maltese people couldn’t care less about the environment around them, which is not true. This littering could have easily been avoided as in my locality, very nearby, we have waste separation bins and the local council provides a bulky refuse pickup service.



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Fighting Animal Cruelty Together

submitted by St.Benedict College Girls' Secondary School Tarxien : Joslyn Falzon  for 15-18
dissemination(s): other, Participation in School Photographic Competition & School Open Day, school media, website
filed under Photos

Dogs are social creatures. Just imagine for a moment if one has to be kept in a room for days. Now imagine how an agile dog would feel in the same situation. I am absolutely in favour of animal rights. If firms want to test cosmetics, why do it on some innocent animal. Animals suffer as much as we do. True humanity should never impose such sufferings on these poor creatures. It is our duty to share this message of animal care across the world. We need to work harder to help people understand that animals are fellow creatures, which need to be loved as we love our own families. I hope that more people realize how totally helpless animals are and how they are totally dependent on us. We all have the responsibility to care for animals, an obligation which should never be neglected or violated through animal cruelty.



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Our Environment …Our Health

submitted by St.Benedict College Girls' Secondary School Tarxien : Nicole Muscat  for 15-18
dissemination(s): other, Participation in School Photographic Competition & School Open Day, school media, website
filed under Photos

Our surrounding environment has certainly an impact on our health. A filthy environment is certainly a threat to both present and future generations. At the seaside, one hopes to enjoy picturesque sea views similar to that shown in this photo. This photo shows an impressive view of Ghajn Tuffieha Bay with crystal clear sea and a spotless sandy beach. Rightly so, this bay now holds a Blue Flag award. Unpolluted seawater means less risk of infections. Cleaner beaches lead to fewer injuries resulting from stepping on broken glass, cans or worse discarded syringes. It is not enough that we breathe clean air to safeguard our health. We must take measures to protect our coastline and the marine environment. More bins should be placed on beaches and people should be encouraged to use them. In this way, tourists and locals will keep on visiting and enjoying these natural attractions for years.



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