Clean up and green up Malta!

Malta is merely 27 km long and 14 km wide, which makes this country very small indeed. One would then imagine that every centimetre of Malta would be treasured by its people. But sadly, this does not appear to be the case.

I have lived here for almost six months and I am astounded by the general neglect of the environment and the trashing that takes place on a daily basis.

Derelict buildings and incomplete, abandoned building projects are targeted as rubbish dumps. All sorts of litter and building rubble are left to accumulate with no-one appearing to take responsibility for keeping the site clean or clearing it from time to time.

Cigarette butts heavily litter the seaside rocks and sand areas, dog owners freely allow their animals to foul the streets and pavements with their droppings. (I am sure the owners do not allow their dogs to mess the pavement where they actually live!)

Plastic bottles, plastic bags, sweet wrappers, empty cigarette boxes, old bread, discarded food, etc., can be found in the gutters and roads, on pavements and beaches all the time.

I have watched as old and young alike have discarded their rubbish with casual negligence. Is this a strange arrogance or simply ignorance? I find it hard to believe that the Maltese have not been taught that littering is most unhygienic and not in keeping with First World practices.

My plea is to all politicians and those in authority to orchestrate and implement a joint plan to clean up Malta and keep it that way. In other words, depoliticise environment policy and control and have non-negotiable rules that are enforced, no matter which party is in power.

As the print media appear to be the less favoured form of communicating with the people, I suggest advertorial/cartoon type messages to be flighted (daily and often) on local TV channels informing people how they can take care of their environment. There is great scope here for a "fun", positive, win-win message to be relayed.

A common, concerted campaign to Clean Up and Green Up Malta, endorsed by Government, schools and churches should be instituted with haste. Your children and grandchildren do not want, nor do they deserve, to inherit an island that looks and smells like one big rubbish dump.

Footnote: I have noted with great pleasure the progress that is being made with the greening and beautification of some road islands and circles. Keep it up and let it grow!