Photos

How come farms are destroyed?

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Although environment awareness has increased: more Bring-in-Sites placed in cities and villages, recycling and also education on having a clean environment but still we have a lot more to improve. As time goes by more and more farms are being ruined because of waste or else by construction of houses. More houses are being built since population is increasing, but we need farms to have fresh local food, which helps in our economy. Also with the increase of population, pollution increase because of waste products. But aren’t children and youths taught about a cleaner environment? Of course, most of them are, this shows that it is not only children who need education but also the older generation. In the photo below the Bring-in-Sites have no bottom. How did this happen is impossible to find but what we can ask is: after all this education and awareness how can something like this be ignored?



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Water – An Existence

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A dam is a barrier that impounds water and is constructed from a variety of materials such as rock, wood, steel and concrete. It serves the primary purpose of retaining water, to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions and furthermore to collect water or for storage of water which can be evenly distributed between locations. The picture shows the Chadwick Lakes water reservoir filled to the brim after heavy rainfall. This early dam system was constructed in 1886 under the direction of Sir Oswald Chadwick with the intention of using this magnificent resource in a more sustainable manner.



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Beach Erosion

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This photo shows the effects of coastal erosion at Għajn Tuffieħa. Erosion occurred rapidly here recently due to human intervention, including deforestation. To counteract the effects of coastal erosion, more vegetation was grown at Għajn Tuffieħa in the 1960s. One can also note the man-made staircase constructed directly on the sand dune and also two horrendous structures at the back. In some coastal areas, the sandy terrain is eroded and disappears over time. This occurs when sand is lost at a faster rate than it is replaced. Sand is lost when sediment and sand grains are blown or carried away by strong winds, waves and stone from the coast. Plants and scrub vegetation hold the sand particles in place. Lack of sand dunes therefore increases beach erosion. Sand is added to the beach by soil which crumbles and is carried by the wind and deposited on the coast.



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Are we heading towards a sustainable world?

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The first thing that one would say about this picture is that there is nothing wrong in it and it is one of the most amazing beaches in the island. But only some would notice that the street on the right of the picture is destroying the natural habitat and the beach. If you would ask a person of an elderly age you would find that the street wasn’t always there but the water would keep going in to where we now find the natural reserve. By building this street we destroyed the sand dunes and now when ever you pass on a windy day you could see that this is true since the sand would create small dunes on the street. Are we really heading towards a sustainable world? I think the answer is no. WE shouldn’t continue on building these kinds of streets if we are aiming to get a sustainable world.



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Future Generations?

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As we can see from the picture above, a tank which was probably used for the transportation of corrosive substances or chemicals has been thrown carelessly across the valley to this pond. The corroded part of the tank is also a suggestion that the tank has been in the pond for a long period of time without the authorities taking notice, moreover taking action. Many people can run into conclusions that this can only cause environmental disturbance, however, this is also eye pollution. Valleys and the countryside are very famous tourist attractions, thus pollution can lead to bad impressions on behalf of the tourists, a bad impact on the Tourism Malta. We talk about sustainability. Does everyone understand it? Or it is only a term for environmentalists? We need improvement, changes and modernisation made in a country but what are we doing to our environment? We have to take care of our environment, for the future generations, for a proper understanding of sustainable development.



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Let the wind do the work

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Recently, a lot of awareness has been created about renewable energy. This eco-friendly source of energy is being used much more now than in the past, and is thought to be an ideal replacement for fossil fuels, since these are running out. There is quite a long list of advantages of renewable energy over the burning of the fossil fuels. Renewable energy doesn't pollute the environment and the elements that give us energy aren’t finite. Despite of all the advantages of renewable energy, there are a number of disadvantages. These are rarely mentioned and there isn’t much awareness from the negative aspect. Wind turbines, for example are an eyesore, and even if they are put out on sea, they disturb the natural habitat on the seabed. Wind turbines are also the cause of a great number of deaths of small birds, as well as of the occasional falcon or other birds of prey. All in all renewable energy is a great replacement for fossil fuels, even though it has some disadvantages



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Houses, Hotels, Restaurants, Churches….green?

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Houses, Hotels, Restaurants, Churches… Green? This photo has been captured from a bird’s view of the central part of the Maltese Islands. One can clearly note that only little space is left for vegetation, agriculture, wild animal habitats and natural green spaces. The development of countries and civilisation with all its beneficial advantages also brings destruction to green areas. One should also mention that the constant development and construction of new houses, industrial estates and other buildings bring with them more pollution due to increase in transport and also, noise due to the traffic which is another source of pollution. The building craze has taken the Maltese Islands by storm. A tempest that is sweeping away our greenery and replacing it with the debris left over in the aftermath.



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Cory Shearwaters

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The Cory Shearwaters, Calonectris diomedea, or Ċiefa as known in Maltese, are seen out of their nests, which are located in the cliffs behind. Some of the Cory Sherwaters can be seen bathing in the water and enjoying the pleasant currents of the sea. Malta holds ten percent of the population of this type of bird. This photo was taken on a boat trip organised by Bird Life Malta which seeks to promote the well being of birds on the Maltese Islands. The boat visited the cliffs of Ta’Ċenċ and also its neighbouring cliffs. At the scene you are surrounded by birds and you can see dots, which are birds, as far as the eye can see.



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Oil Drums, Waste, Building, Clay and Sand Dunes,Spot the Odd Ones Out?

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Oil Drums, Waste, Buildings, Clay and Sand Dunes… Spot The Odd Ones Out? In the above picture the stairs are built directly on a sand dune – and therefore directly leaving an impact on the beach – showing how man tried to make the beach more accessible to humans but in so doing he has let an impact on the beach itself. This brings us to ask ourselves a question: is Malta’s main source of income, tourism, and overdevelopment worth the destruction of not only its nature and charm, but what attracts tourists to possibly the Mediterranean’s most sought after island in the first place? It’s also interesting to note that the abandoned and derelict hotel (looking like it had its hayday around 30 years ago) is not only an eyesore to the environment, but built on clay! This means that indeed, it had to be abandoned as the clay would’ve given way!



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Two Structures – both with a different purpose

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Two structures, both man-made, but with a completely different purpose The above picture shows more than what it seems. They say a picture has 1000 words to it… well one word for this: WHY? This leaves us pondering about the visible structures in the picture, mainly the hotel and the tower. They are both a man-made intrusion in (what’s becoming a rare sight) the Maltese landscape. One difference: one was built hundreds of years ago as a fortification against corsair attacks, the other, well, recently built for luxury and tourism! The gist is: ok one’s a necessity the other a luxury, but they’re both after all intrusion in the middle of the countryside. However, it is also very clear to see the difference in the carbon footprint of both structures.



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