Marco Cremona, Mosta
Vatican leading by example on climate
Solar panels cover the roof of the Paul VI hall at the Vatican The Vatican went green last week with the activation of a new solar energy system to power several key buildings and a commitment to use renewable energy for 20 per cent of its needs by 2020.
The magnificent photo of the Vatican's roof covered with solar panels (November 28) is certainly a sight for sore eyes - and one which shows how even a traditionally conservative institution as the Vatican is moving with the times and has managed to combine modern technology with classical architecture.
Even more welcoming is the news that the Vatican committed itself to use renewable energy for 20 per cent of its energy needs by 2020.
One should point out that it has no obligation to do so; it is not an EU Member State so the decision to go for renewables was taken on a purely voluntary basis - which makes it all the more commendable. The Vatican could have continued to consume electricity from the Italian electricity grid and in the process increase Italy's carbon emissions. But the Vatican decided to lead by example.
Not so SmartCity in Malta, in which the Maltese government is a major stakeholder and therefore has some leverage on how decisions are taken.
Despite the fact that Malta is facing huge problems in stabilising its carbon emissions and notwithstanding the fact that this country has a difficult commitment to produce 10 per cent of its energy from renewables by 2020, this "state-of-the-art" mega-project has not committed itself to generating one unit of electricity from renewables - despite its enormous electricity demand.
By its own admission, it will be using "conventional" technology and buying its electricity from our inefficient power stations - which will be hard-pressed to deliver a reliable supply once SmartCity comes on line.
SmartCity should have taken a feather from the Vatican's cap and voluntarily committed itself to renewables. Given that SmartCity failed to rise to the occasion, I cannot but applaud Labour's budget proposal of imposing a renewable energy commitment target of 10 per cent on all major projects in Malta.
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Joseph Aquilina
Dec 2nd 2008, 23:17
It seems to me that the Catholics and the Catholic church (no offense) are more concerned about energy, the priceless St. John's tapestry, the beautiful statues, gold and silver altar facads, and candle sticks, and paintings that decorate their churches. The emphasies should be on spreading the simple gospel and not on things of the world. What does it profit if a church has all those worldly things and it is dead by not doing what Jesus commanded...Go into the world and preach the good news. The good news is that God "JESUS" came into the world, took on human body , died and resurrected, and He is coming back again as He promised. It will not matter if the churches are dressed in silver and gold, and red damask with crystal chandeliers when He comes. Are the souls ready to receive Him? That is what matters than.
Joseph Aquilina, CANADA
Charles Sammut
Dec 2nd 2008, 20:59
Will the local church be doing something concrete to reduce electricity consumption? How about replacing the thousands of incandescent light bulbs used in village festas by energy saving lamps? Incandescent lightbulbs are due to be phased out anyway.
The cost involved might kill the festa altogether though.
P Morris
Dec 2nd 2008, 10:52
I see that the Spanish government working in conjunction with a leading Photo Voltaic manufacturer will be creating a new solar park in the first quarter of next year. Due for completion in the middle of next year, the project expects to produce a pay back in costs after only one year as opposed to three years for current technologies.
Any takers for some forward thinking here?
lgalea
Dec 2nd 2008, 09:59
SmartCity does not seem to be so smart after all.