Over 250 academics at University of Malta join environment protest

Over 250 academics at the University of Malta said on Monday that they are joining a number of eNGOs in promoting an economic model that equitably enhances quality of life, and in demanding institutional and policy reforms in the fields of environment, planning and lands.

Eight organisations - Moviment Graffitti, Friends of the Earth Malta, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Nature Trust Malta-FEE, Għawdix, BirdLife Malta and Ramblers’ Association Malta – had launched a national protest to safeguard the environment, which is set to take place on Saturday 27 May, as starting from the Triton Fountain at 10.30am. The protest is titled : ‘ Xebbajtuna! Bidla fl-Ambjent u l-Ippjanar ISSA!’ (We are fed up, we need a change in environment and planning now!).

The academics said that they recognise that whilst many elements of our economic and planning models have been highly successful, a systematic evaluation is urgently needed to assess their weaknesses and the growing threats to quality of life, cultural and natural heritage in Malta. Research undertaken by scholars at the University of Malta and elsewhere presents an opportunity for such an evaluation to be based on evidence, they said.

When announcing the national protest, the eight NGOs had said that they will demand the following immediate actions : To change planning policies - such as those allowing buildings on ODZ, the height and intensity of buildings, the height of hotels and the scheduling of sites of historic interest and value - in order to stop the wave of construction that does not respect context, heritage, natural environment, farmers and residents; To radically reform all institutions responsible for the environment, planning and lands, so that they start functioning in a serious and transparent manner and independently from politicians and businesses; To build an economic model that seeks a better quality of life for everyone, instead of endless economic growth based on the profits of the few.

“We are living in a state of emergency, which threatens our personal and environmental well-being due to the reckless rates of construction on our islands”, the eight organisations had said.