History's most important climate change talks are underway in Copenhagen but the risk of rising sea levels and desertification is not foremost on the mind of the man in the street. Fiona Galea Debono gauges local global warming concerns as world leaders from 190 nations warm up for an agreement.
Although they said they were aware "something is going on" in Denmark, when asked if they knew what was happening, many of the Christmas shoppers in Valletta were not prepared to say exactly what it was. One confused "the summit" with "The Times"; and after a pause, others maintained climate change was... about the weather.
Reaching an agreement to curb greenhouse gases and limit emissions to combat global warming may be the current concern of 15,000 delegates in Copenhagen but others have a more "relaxed" approach to life and are not thinking of cyclones, heat waves and floods. More worried about the here and now, one elderly gentleman said his only fear was the death of his dog.
The UN Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012 but that ominous date has another meaning for some: could climate change be somehow connected to talk of the end of the world in two years' time?
Paul Camilleri, 70, of Valletta said, after some clarification, that he has heard of the summit. But he has no idea what it is about. Yes, he has heard of climate change too. But, again, he doesn't know what it is and, therefore, has no opinion on what could be done to combat it. "I don't worry much," he laughs. "I'd only worry if my dog died."
Josephine Briffa, 61, of Fgura looked at her husband for the answers but he was not too forthcoming either. She has not heard of the Copenhagen summit and has no clue what climate change is. "But I would be interested to know if you could explain to me..."
Sharon Gauci, 35, of Għargħur has heard "something" about the summit in Copenhagen but she does not know what the discussions are about. Enlightened on the subject, she was not too sure what climate change is: "Something to do with the environment, warmth, the atmosphere." With a little help from her husband, and recalling what her child is learning at school on the ozone, she ventured "more heat and melting ice... I'm not that technical".
Karen Borg, 16, of Rabat knew about the summit but not what was being discussed. Climate change was about greenhouse gases and emissions, said the student, who is doing an A level in geography. Assisted by her more informed friend, Ariane Aquilina from Attard, the two knew it was a concern and that everyone would suffer at the end of the day due to the change in temperatures, the rise in sea levels and the sinking of land. At least, Malta's representatives were discussing the matter in Copenhagen, they pointed out.
Rachel Balzan, 25, of Siġġiewi knew something was happening in Copenhagen but she has no idea what. For her, climate change had "something to do with the weather" and was possibly related to the end of the world in 2012 that she has been hearing about. Whatever the case, the trust administrator was not too concerned.
Steven Cavedo, 21, of Italy does not watch TV and is not interested in politics so he did not know what was happening in Copenhagen. "I just know that we are destroying ourselves in every sense, with pollution and greed," said the circus member for whom climate change was "basically about melting ice"
Tarcisio Farrugia, 57, of Marsascala was well aware of the Copenhagen summit, how many nations are participating and what they are discussing. He is optimistic that a global deal would be reached, in which case, his fears would be abated.
Alfred Baldacchino, 34, of Fgura knew about the summit and its subject, and hoped an agreement would be reached to reduce emissions. The IT man knows something about pollution, having to handle the notorious black dust that settles in his hometown in the vicinity of the power station. "On our part, we recycle everything and have solar heating," he said, calling for more incentives for the installation of solar panels.