Photos

Maltese Stone vs Bricks: which is the best?

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When we refer to the Maltese rock we mean that rock which is extracted from the Maltese parameter area by any sophisticated machinery. The Maltese rock is all made out of sediment, creatures and other sea or land materials. This is mainly composed by five layers. The one which from it we build is the Globigerina Limestone. The advantage of this is that the building is given character. Its disadvantage is that workers are decreasing because it is a very hard job. But if we don’t build with our rock our traditional way of building will be destroyed. An example is the “girna” (seen in picture) which is a beautiful typical Maltese building. On the other hand, the advantage of bricks is that it will make work faster and more organised. The disadvantage is that it destroys nature. So let’s take care of the Maltese vernacular architecture which is part of our identity.



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Reaching New Heights

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In this picture, as you can see there is a pair of shoes, tied together, which were thrown from the street and hanged to the electrical wires very close to a typical stone Maltese balcony. This can cause several damages. For example, when it rains, the shoes will remain wet. We all know what water can cause when it meets electricity. It can lead to various household damages such as appliances due to electrical shortages. Apart from this they are also damaging the appearance of the locality itself and in this case obstructing the view of a beautiful Maltese traditional stone carved balcony. In my opinion these shoes should be removed by the Local Council workers in order to improve the image of this place and allow the stylish medieval stoned balcony attract the attention of anyone passing by.



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Wied Ghajn Zejtuna

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Wied Għajn Żejtuna is one of the very few valleys on the Maltese Islands which is densely covered by vegetation and where fresh water flows all year round. Unfortunately, a lot of damage has already been inflicted on this natural site. Storm water has been diverted from asphalted roads onto the river bed slopes and this resulted in a massive erosion of soil banks. Alpine trees, with very wide trunks, that were over 30 years old have been uprooted and toppled by this erosion. Furthermore, old walls are now collapsing due to lack of maintenance and dumping of domestic waste is on the rise. Debris is accumulating, and illegal camping is becoming regular. The valley’s fauna ranges from Arthropods to Mammals, such as the Green Whip snake, which is ecologically important for controlling the valley’s rats, and the North African hedgehog, which finds the valley a good refuge. Thus, by protecting the valley, one would also be safeguarding a healthy ecosystem which allows for biodiversity. One cannot stress enough the necessity of giving the valley urgent protection in order to continue being an essential habitat for all species before it is too late. Should there be development plans for this area, one should respect the importance of sustainable development although, ideally, this site would not be given permission for more development to take place.



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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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