In a country in which land is a limited resource, the proper management of land use should be at the top of the agenda of the whole of civil society, with careful thought for every decision taken. With ever decreasing expanses of open areas, contrasting with an increased longing for green spaces, it is very clear that people living in these islands are borrowing heavily from what future generations have a right to enjoy, such as the right of open spaces, natural landscapes, clean air and water.

Shocking news of projects and initiatives devouring more natural land should be a thing of the past, yet they continue to haunt us. And it is not only the entirety of these projects – at this level of urban density it is also the individual and minor projects that have a profound impact on the health of the country. The recent news regarding three hotels planned on ODZ land in the south is such an example.

There are a number of reasons why this project is deplorable. Firstly, this is ODZ land, so speculative development should not even be on the table, especially when there are so many other areas that can be considered.

Secondly, this area represents one of the few open stretches remaining in the south after the land gobbled up by other projects such as Smart City and essential infrastructure. I dare say there is sometimes too much of a north-south divide in this little country of ours.

And finally, Malta should really look into the carrying capacity when it comes to promoting tourism – more hotels will really not promote the tourism in the shoulder months but put more pressure on the our island with more run-of-the-mill initiatives. While tourism is clearly an important economic pillar of our island’s economy, we must equally be vigilant that over-expansion of this economic sector may easily become a cause for implosion if left to ‘grow’ unattended.

Developing our country should mean providing further green space, preservation of its resources and enhancing whatever we already have through restoration

Short-sighted economic objectives should not be the only factors in consideration – at this level of urban density, the long-term environmental and mental health of the population should feature more strongly. As Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, the previous Fr General of the Society of Jesus, puts it: “Consumerism, a lifestyle of affluence and exploitation of the earth and its resources are intrinsically linked to the social, economic and political injustices of the world and are a wound inflicted on the body of Christ.”

In other words, economy and ecology must be addressed in a seamless, holistic fashion in a manner and from a Christian perspective, a fact that is ultimately rooted in Jesus Christ.

Malta stands at a crossroads. We have a choice to make – either to sustain further destruction of our natural areas and green spaces and suffer, turning the remaining countryside into the concrete dystopia, or cease all this madness and seriously aim for a greener, healthier society – one that holds on to the values it says it is proud of.

Holding the post of the Minister for Environment was never easy in Malta; however, we believe it should be a prerequisite to be in favour of the environment. Holding a short news conference or simply complaining about a fact is well below the expectations of what a minister, and indeed a whole ministry, should be capable of doing.

It is therefore up to each individual (and therefore, our individual and collective duty) to uphold and cherish these values for ourselves, our children and for others who flock to our shores looking for a genuine experience, a sense of cultural identity that is not offered elsewhere.

We ask why initiatives similar to the recent walks in our countryside are not promoted further. We need to learn how to park our cars, put on our walking shoes and yes… that horrid phrase… get some ‘dirt’ of the country into our genes and into our homes. Driving all the way to a country spot and sitting in our cars for a few hours (maybe not even talking to each other) and then driving back home is not the walk in the country that we need as a nation.

The phrases used to describe our countryside by developers is a clear indication of the fact that such people have never left their concrete homes and shiny cars; they never got their hands and feet ‘dirty’ with our countryside.

As a Christian life community, we believe that to sustain further illogical take-up of our natural environment is against the Lord’s plan for improvement of human society.

Developing our country should mean providing further green space, preservation of its resources and enhancing whatever we already have through restoration, rather than jeopardising the rights of future generation to fatten the pockets of a few.

Chris Micallef is a member of the Leadership Community of Christian Life Community Malta.

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