A grey future and Malta?

submitted by Our Lady Immaculate : Nicole Mizzi  for 11-14
campaign: YRE Entry
dissemination(s): website
Proof of dissemination: Click to view
Dissemination description: 16
sustainable development goal(s): climate action, life below water, life on land, responsible consumption and production
filed under Articles
awarded: Commended


60% of wildlife wiped out by human activity in 44 years.According to the World Wildlife funds ‘Living Planet’ report as at 2018, that involved over 59 scientists from across the globe, 60% of wildlife has been wiped out by human activity in the last 44 years. This equals to more than 4,000 animals with a backbone such as mammals, birds, fish and reptiles.

One of the reasons that wildlife is being wiped out is because of the vast and growing consumption of food. Statistics show that 300 mammal species are being eaten into extinction. Food production and uses of natural resources are also the reason why wildlife is being wiped out. America is among the countries using the most natural resources. Palm oil is a great example of how these natural resources are affecting the wildlife. According to WWF, an area of forest that equals to 300 football fields is cleared each hour to make way for palm oil production. This is pushing many species to extinction. Example it is estimated that 1,000 to 5,000 orangutans are killed each year for this development. Palm oil is not only present in foods but also in cosmetics, cleaning and washing detergents, toothpastes and shampoos.

Over fishing is another cause of 83% if freshwater species getting wiped out. Pollution and climate change are another reason. A product of this is a decrease of 30% of polar bears. Sea birds are being affected plastic is found in 90% of sea birds. Hunting , a hobby is another reason we are loosing wildlife.

Deforestation is the removal of a forest or stand of trees from land which is then converted to a non-forest use, for example trees are used for buildings and sold as fuel. This causes animals to loose their habitat. Deforestation is not only destroying wonders of nature but also jeopardizing the lives of people. By destroying nature we are loosing fresh air, water and soil. These are all necessary for people to oceans, rivers, biodiversity and life.

Current efforts to protect the nature aren’t keeping up with the speed of man-made destructions. On 12th December 2015, in Paris, an agreement was reached to combat climate change and to accelerate and intensify the actions and investments needed for a sustainable low carbon future. One of their targets was to limit global temperature rises. Recently another report on 5th December 2018 it was reported that in Poland opened an international conference about climate change. Experts warn that there has to be an action taken in the next 2 years, the world is going to suffer from climate change with a large negative impact on population. This meeting in Poland is considered more important than the meeting in Paris.

We took the opportunity to ask Vincent Attard the President of Nature Trust what he thinks about this subject.

1) In light of this article what is your opinion of the state of flora and fauna here in Malta? Is there any research with regards to flora and fauna extinction in Malta?
Malta being an Island is rich of endemic species. This makes our biodiversity and interesting one. However the recent trend is moving us towards a period of concern. Let us take fauna as a start. The construction industry is growing and taking up land each day. Over the last decade we have seen green areas between our Village and town cores disappear and towns and village are becoming into one forming a sort of small city. This means that many corridors are being cut off. This is resulting that fauna communities are ending in isolated pockets and therefore interbreeding is taking place. If this keeps up further we may eventually see the collapse of those communities. To add to this over the last years with free trade movement we have seen a lot of alien invasive species taking over both plants and animals. These having nor predators are in a vantage point to compete strongly with our indigenous species and in such case we are seeing signs of decline of our local fauna and flora giving way to these new aliens.

2) What do you think that the government can do/ what is the government doing to safeguard flora and fauna from becoming extinct?

There need to be more control on the importation of aliens and exotics, Law enforcement needs to be taken up seriously as today this is only on paper. A nation wide programmer to eradicate aliens is a must before it is too late. Furthermore we need a national strategy on development to push this industry into sustainable development and not greed development. Sustainable development as a vision is not existent in our Islands

3) Was there any research carried out with regards to the conservation of the fresh water crab and the weasel? Is there any plan to start some conservation campaign to increase their population?

Not yet in fact we are trying to work with the University on the Fresh water crab as a start. The idea is that once we have data we can plan a breeding programme similar to what we started 3 years ago with the Killifish. Today from 5 pairs we have hundreds which we hope to reintroduce in those areas these became extinct. To be successful in these project one needs to start with research and gain scientific information. Many do not see this as money well spent when in fact it is the start to a successful project.

4) How do you imagine the state of the Maltese countryside in 30 years?

If we keep us with this trend I do not forsee a bright future. Today we are moving in crisis management. Everyday our wildlife Rescue Volunteers get calls of hedgehogs coming out of this building site and chameleons of the other to escape the heavy construction machinery. More than once we have asked the authorities to include a condition in such permits that the developer should pay for wildlife to re relocated but sadly enough they have no interest in this and our natural heritage.

Article written by Nicole Mizzi – Form 4