The University Students Council Environmental Fair 2010, spanning five days, was recently organised by KSU and the Social Policy Commission (KPS). The programme included both traditional and modern approaches to campaigning for environmental awareness.
University media organisation Insite, in collaboration with Birdlife Malta and KSU, organised a clean-up event at the White Tower Bay sand dune. More than 15 large garbage bags were filled with plastic waste found in the area.
Another clean-up event was organised by the Young European Federalists (JEF Malta) and the University Geography Students Association (UMGS), Nature Trust, Greenhouse and the Science Students' Society (Scubed) at Sir Arturo Mercieca Garden, a buffer zone between Wied Ghollieqa and University.
A number of site visits were also organised, including a visit to Argotti Botanical Gardens, organised by Scubed, a visit to Xrobb l-Għaġin organised by the University Engineering Students Association (UESA) in collaboration with Nature Trust, and another visit at the Wied Għollieqa nature reserve, organised by UMGS, JEF Malta, Scubed, Greenhouse and Nature Trust.
The University Bible group organised a competition on the University quadrangle and the Writers' Club organised a cake sale to raise funds for tree-planting.
UMGS organised an eco-friendly car show to promote energy efficient and sustainable mobility.
Targeting first-time car buyers, a large range of cars with low consumption and emissions specifications were exhibited at the University's car park 4 opposite the quadrangle.
A number of debates were also organised: the Arts Students' Association (ASA) held a discussion entitled 'Global warming or global scam'. The panel included Andre Vella, John Spiteri, John Schembri and Avertano Role. Greenhouse organised a debate entitled 'Fragile - handle with care'. The panel included Alan Deidun, Vince Attard, Darren Stevens, Roderick Galdes, Michael Briguglio, Geoffrey Saliba and Alex Vella.
The University Film Club showed the film An Inconvenient Truth, which was also followed by a discussion.
Campaigns organised included a clean energy campaign by Enemalta, a waste-separation campaign by Green Mt, a climate-change awareness campaign by the Ministry for Resources, a campaign on the public transport reform by the Transport Ministry, and a campaign against illegal hunting by Birdlife Malta.
The fair came to an end with a tree-planting event organised in collaboration with Nature Trust, during which over 40 organisations participated.
KSU will be soon implementing a waste separation system in collaboration with Green Mt, while the Tourism Students' Association will be launching a photo competition related to tourism, sustainability and environment.