11-14

Video 11-14 yrs 2nd place National Winner: Air Pollution

submitted by De La Salle College Malta : Andre Abela, Liam Darmanin  for 11-14
dissemination(s): radio, school media, website
filed under Video Clips

With the increase in air traffic air pollution becomes an imminent issue that needs to be effectively tackled. An old aircraft produces a lot of pollution compared with newer technologies. For this reason the EU is introducing a quota system whereby the offender that surpasses air emissions quota is compelled to pay a fine. This is in line with the polluter pays principle.



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The tragedy of Fort Park

submitted by ST. Margaret College Girls' Secondary School Zejtun : Nicole Buttigieg  for 11-14
dissemination(s): Dissemination during school assemblies, newspaper, other, school magazine, school media
filed under Articles

This article is about a Fort Park, a park situated in Xgħajra Malta. The park is in a shocking state even though a lot of historical sites are present in the area. The author discusses with the major what is being done and what can be done to make the park more attractive thus can be visited more often by Maltese citizens and tourists.



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Rubbish here, rubbish there, rubbish everywhere

submitted by St. Margaret College Boys Secondary Verdala : Damien Calleja  for 11-14
dissemination(s): school media
filed under Articles

A green-area called “Sur San Pawl”, in the locality of Cospicua is being continuously vandalised and serving as a rubbish dumping zone. The waste thrown in this area is of detriment to those who visit this place risking infections and maladies. Having reported this dumping zone to the Local Council, I’ve been informed that actions have been already taken in this regard for these last three years. The local authorities did various attempts to evoke the awareness of the minister in charge as this area belongs to the government. However, the local authorities admitted that just two weeks ago they’ve organized a clean up in this area but rubbish kept on accumulating. I personally suggested the installation of cameras to enforce the law and guarantee a cleaner and safer environment. More rubbish bins can be available and more light can be added during the night to safeguard this area.



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Children playing in Pollution!

submitted by St. Margaret College Boys Secondary Verdala : Deemer Bilocca  for 11-14
dissemination(s): school media
filed under Articles

This playing-area is situated just besides a very central busy road in the locality of Zabbar. It is crowded by many parents and children everyday especially after school hours. Unfortunately, a bus stop is situated near this playground resulting in lots of poisonous emissions. Following my personal investigation, about 33 cars pass by this area every two minutes in the afternoon. People living within 500 metres of a motorway grow up with significantly reduced lung capacity, and even children who have never experienced asthma are at risk, scientists warn. After contacting the Local Council, I’ve suggested more awareness by introducing pollution signs, shifting the bus stop shelter just up the road so to reduce emissions effects and planting more trees in the area to guarantee fresher air. Though unsuccessful to convince the local authorities, I will not stop suggesting a better solution for the local people of my locality.



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Car scrap violating nature

submitted by St. Margaret College Boys Secondary Verdala : Fabrizio Testa  for 11-14
dissemination(s): school media
filed under Articles

This car scrap lies on a green-soft area in the locality of Zabbar for these last two months. The car is out of repair and full of metal rust and it’s creating a scrap yard. Such material does not degrade and only benefit the environment if it’s recycled properly. This car scrap is full of contaminants that are toxic and have negative environmental effects. Oil, batteries, engine and transmission fluids, degreasers, gasoline and antifreeze are highly toxic and corrosive, even in small quantities. After contacting the Local Council in this regard I was assured that immediate actions will be taken to remove the car scrap and clean up the area. I suggested a recycling process as particularly batteries and motor oil, are recyclable, so they can be processed to pose no long-term environmental risk. Clean up actions will surely allow more space for local flora and fauna to grow.



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Dangerous Potholes

submitted by St. Margaret College Boys Secondary Verdala : Kurt Cordina  for 11-14
dissemination(s): school media
filed under Articles

Lots of potholes appeared in the locality of Marsascala precisely after the heavy which hit our island during this last winter. Along Bay-Street corner with St. Nicholas Street you come across three large ones in the middle of the street. After reporting this to the Marsascala Local Council I was asked to give the exact location of these potholes so that measures for repair and resurfacing can start. I informed the Local Council that these potholes are very dangerous especially for people crossing the road during night time. Besides this, drivers could seriously damage their vehicles while driving along this street risking also to hurt themselves. Meanwhile, I’ve suggested Hazard road signs in the area. The Local Council was grateful to me for bringing this issue to their attention. Hope that this problem will be solved soon for everyone’s benefit and to guarantee a safer environment in our locality!



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Floating Cans

submitted by St. Margaret College Boys Secondary Verdala : Kyle Vella  for 11-14
dissemination(s): school media
filed under Articles

Kalkara-Creek with a modern, safe and secure boat yard is haunted by floating cans serving as buoys beside lots of traditional Maltese boats. While some cities burn plastics to make space in landfills, Kalkara boat owners tie their boats to various plastic cans which pollute the creek and lead to health issues for both human and animal inhabitants. The plastic products, including water bottles, are particularly life-threatening to sea animals. Sea animals may mistake plastic bottles floating in the water for food, while birds can get stuck in plastic rings that strangle, or when eaten, choke them to death. After contacting the Local Council, I’ve suggested the authorities to encourage boat owners to purchase proper standard and environment friendly buoys. I’ve also suggested more awareness in this regard by posting signs encouraging standard buoys instead of plastic cans. Waiting to see the Kalkara Creek with standard environment-friendly buoys floating.



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Dumping shame

submitted by St. Margaret College Boys Secondary Verdala : Lydon Cioffi  for 11-14
dissemination(s): school media
filed under Articles

It’s a dumping-shame what we find beside some family houses in the locality of Xgħajra. This private field hosts all sort of waste, including both biodegradable and non biodegradable material. When people living besides this dumping field look through their back house windows they face all this dump waste with a daily nasty smell. Scientists warn that such unfair actions not only pollute the environment but also pose serious health hazards. Following my contact with the local council, an inspection has been done in this regard. The local authorities promised me further investigations in order to clean up this backyard dumping waste area. Unfortunately, the problem of illegal dumping is exceptionally large and extremely complex; that it would take tremendous effort, time and money to combat it. Though the cost of disposal services might be expensive it is highly essential to preserve the environment and prevent it from contamination.



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Water Scarcity… The Solution?

submitted by St. Margaret College Boys Secondary Verdala : Shaun Miguel Darmanin  for 11-14
dissemination(s): school media
filed under Articles

Water-scarcity has become a worldwide problem and many countries struggle to find water, including Malta. In Malta, 68% of water comes from groundwater, while the rest comes from seawater-desalination and this is costing four times more than underground water. In this island there are more than 8000 private boreholes and the majority were illegally drilled. It is estimated that about 21,000 liters of water are extracted per minute from these boreholes. In 2011, the government closed all household boreholes and is installing meters on agricultural and commercial boreholes. All this is being done with a grant of €2 million by the EU. Once installed the ministry responsible will monitor water extraction for one year and afterwards water quotas will be established for farmers. Is this the solution? Well, let’s hope it is, because as Benjamin Franklin once said “When the well is dry, we learn the worth of water!”



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Losing our wheels

submitted by St. Margaret College Boys Secondary Verdala : Ryan Vella  for 11-14
dissemination(s): school media
filed under Articles

This wind-pump lost its wheel during the last winter hurricane which hit our island. Situated in a private field along the road from Rabat to Dingli it is still needed today for pumping water using an alternative energy source for agricultural use. After contacting the Rabat Local Council, I was informed that funds were never allotted for the repair of such structures. However, the Ministry for Gozo has made a presentation to 18 people who, during 2009, have carried out restoration works on wind powered water pumps on their land. This work was related to a scheme launched by the same Ministry as an initiative for the eco-Gozo vision in May 2009. The aid granted represents 75% of the costs associated with the purchase of equipment and work connected with the rehabilitation of the machinery and structure. So why have the funds not been extended to our island too?



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