Editorial

There have been commendable efforts, on global, regional and national levels, to address in a more sensible manner the issue of climate change and management of the environment. Yet, world leaders and a huge number of their citizens still refuse to lift a finger even faced as we are with a tsunami of climate change dangers and difficulties brought about by our own hands.

The European Commission, for example, wants us all to deal with the problem by finding new forms of energy, by cutting back on carbon emissions within given time-frames. The immediate reaction of certain quarters, even in this tiny island, is to question the figures set by Brussels, or whichever organisation it may be. Yet, as Malta's foremost climate expert of international repute, Michael Zammit Cutajar, told The Times some time ago when speaking about alternative sources of energy: "Consumers need to be responsible and look for ways of cutting emissions and, in the meantime, find ways of cutting costs". Consumers can not only lead by example but also put the required pressure on leaders to take action.

Against this background it is refreshing to see such organisations as Enemalta take certain initiatives - small perhaps but then every journey starts with a small step - in favour of alternative energy (photovoltaic panels on the roofs of its Qawra and Sliema offices), knocking 10,000 kilogrammes of carbon dioxide emissions.

"While energy use is essential for economic activity and social well-being, continued dependence on energy generated from fossil fuels is resulting in air pollution and contributing to climate change," the State Of The Environment Report 2006 says.

It reports a continuous increase in electricity generation between 1990 and 2003, with an overall growth of 88 per cent. "However since 2003 growth has slowed down and for the first time a decrease (one per cent) was registered between 2003 and 2004. Yet, between 2004 and 2005, there was a 1.1 per cent increase in electricity generation, and between 2005 and 2006 an increase of 0.9 per cent. This suggests that the overall slow growth trend is once again being established," the report adds.

Explaining what Enemalta has set out to do, its chairman, Alex Tranter, acknowledged that the expense entailed in the setting up of photovoltaic panels could discourage individuals from installing them at home, especially as they paid for themselves only after about 15 years. The government, he recalled, had already given some incentives which had encouraged a big take-up of solar panels but such incentives should be strengthened to encourage more use of alternative sources of energy.

Well said Mr Tranter. Perhaps Enemalta could itself give consumers some incentives too.

There is then, of course, the problem of transport.

A large percentage of vehicles on the road continue to spew emissions quite openly, their drivers contemptuous of the law and the powers that be doing nothing about it.

The National Office of Statistics has just reported there were 282,965 licensed motor vehicles on Maltese roads at the end of June: 76 per cent of them consisted of private vehicles and 16.3 per cent were commercial vehicles.

The 2006 State Of The Environment Report says that, in 2005, 40 per cent of the vehicles imported were second hand, 25 per cent more than in 1998. Alas, most second hand vehicles do not comply with the latest emission and fuel efficiency standards, the same report points out.

What will the Malta Transport Authority do about it?