Climate change will intensify immigration - George Pullicino
Mr Pullicino addressing the Maltese media in Copenhagen. Photo: Jeremy Wonnacott, DOI
Climate change will intensify immigration, so it is in Malta’s interest to reach a deal that assists developing and vulnerable countries, according to Resources Minister George Pullicino.
Speaking in Copenhagen as negotiations continued among the world’s environment ministers, he said it was unfortunate that the EU was the only bloc that came with two positive and concrete proposals.
“There has been nothing to inspire enthusiasm so far,” he said.
Despite the bleak outlook so far, however, there was still hope for things to change in the last minute, as had happened in previous summits of this nature,he said.
He said the EU had proposed raising its own targets to fight climate change, as long as the commitment was equitable across the globe, especially the worst offenders like the USA, China, India and Brazil.
Mr Pullicino announced that Malta has formally applied to be listed as part of the Annex I countries of the UN convention on climate change.
He stressed that this did not mean Malta would lose any benefits or take on any more burdens, but it would show our “moral” and “legal” commitment.
Since Malta was the first UN country to mention climate change 21 years ago, this was a natural step, he said, Up till now, and until Malta’s application is approved, it was listed as part of the developing countries, even though the European community as a whole is already listed as Annex I.
Mr Pullicino said this was a question of transparency and clarity more than anything new.
He also took the opportunity to agree with the view that NGOs and protesters were unfairly pointing fingers at the EU.
“The problem with Europe is that we do a lot behind closed doors but we do not communicate our message clearly enough to the people out there,” he said.
He said a positive sign was that the G77 countries were unusually divided, giving the other blocs an opportunity to engage them further into discussions.
He also expressed hope that US President Barack Obama would not come empty-handed.
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A Vella
Dec 18th 2009, 12:40
John Spiteri Gingell does not believe in Climate Change.
What say you AN?
Joe Xuereb
Dec 17th 2009, 21:58
Robert, your comment is appreciated. One could write volumes on climate change but I chose to pick one aspect that affects Malta, and not necessarily because of climate change. Maybe this tiny country will have even less rain, many more. Compared to, say, a country like Turkey where water is literally everywhere, Malta is not exactly blessed. What I did say, and I cannot put it more simply, I think that when it comes to aid (emigration?) Malta should be receiving not giving. I remember buses spewing filth unchecked (maybe it has changed?) but compared to large countries Malta's pollution is a harmless whiff in terms of quantity.
Changing tack slightly, I suggested that the Maltese could ask for asylum in water-abundant countries. I was only picking up the articles suggestion that emigration would increase because of climate change. Having said that, I like to think that Malta has coped very well in spite of dryness. We are a coping people. We could be allowed to be with a little help from our 'friends'. And I mean friends.
Robert, you're right. I am not simple. But a kindly soul, that I am.
Robert Callus
Dec 17th 2009, 20:00
@Joe Xuereb Though your view is quite simplistic, you are right. We have been accustomed to see climate change as a far away problem, so what if the Maldives drown we just lose a travelling option. Unfortunately no country North, South,East rich poor whatever is spared by this problem I said simplistic (your view not yourself personally) because climate change isn't just about drying rivers. A major problem such as that of the Maldives is rising water levels. There are hundreds of others due to 'bizarre' weather reactions, such as more potent hurricanes and other abnormalities. Drought and heat are an issue but not the only ones.
Muscat. A
Dec 17th 2009, 18:14
We are all in the same boat. Minister George Pullicino is right. Climate change may also intensify immigration for opposite directions, north to South or west to east. If the ship sinks it wont distinguish between northern and southern, rich or poor, black or white, believers or none believers. Ironically, while the ship is ‘sinking’ Mr. Silvio Berlusconi thinking knickers! An article in the British tabloid, the Mail on Sunday, is unlikely to enhance the Italian leaders' standing on the world stage. The paper cites unnamed sources as saying that at an EU summit last week, the Italian premier made doodles of women's underwear and passed them round to his other EU leaders during a debate on climate change. "No one could believe it," the unnamed official told the British newspaper. "He was scribbling away and then sent round some jottings with women's knickers on it. Some people were amused. Some were not.
Joe Xuereb
Dec 17th 2009, 15:46
Immigration because of climate change? Good enough reason for some to seek countries with wetter climates because it is their fault their countries are dry? Malta has suffered from lack of rain since forever. But not, it has been decided that Malta will provide help because it consumes so much carbon dioxide and fuel and can afford to keep water rates down because of its huge rivers (one pathetic little stream in Nadur, purposely dried up, I understand, to consecrate land for the dead. And lakes, limits of Rabat and full of sluggish water).
The Maltese have more than enough reasons to seek asylum elsewhere. At least they are hard-working and integrate seamlessly. Model emigrants in fact.