Public awareness on environmental matters has never been so strong. However, the environment continues to be decimated as well as abused and this with the blessing of government entities.

Mepa, the competent authority for the environment, is under the responsibility of a parliamentary secretary and falls within in the Prime Minister’s portfolio.

Projecting colourful fireworks toxic smoke, the killing of species and ODZ ‘tweeting’ are higher on the agenda than any tangible national policies drafted for the good of society and the environment at large.

Once there was a party in government which, in 1980, initiated regulations for the protection of biodiversity and had a vision to green Malta and push afforestation.

Surprisingly, that same party is in government today, albeit with different faces, different visions and different principles.

It seems that the complete exploitation of the environment, despite its social, ecological, economical, educational, scientific, psychological and quality of life contributions, is a new policy. As are the dismantling of environmental regulations.

Times change not only names, faces and logos but also basic principles, it would appear.

An authority that is funded by the public turns a blind eye to social and ecological negative impacts.

No finger is lifted to stop the decimation and butchering of biodiversity. Spraying of chemicals to kill every living species growing for free goes uncontrolled. Millions of euros are spent to dump free natural sources in the sea.

A directorate once responsible to ensure such things do not happen is in deep freeze.

Times change not only names, faces and logos but also basic principles, it seems

The mentality of pecuniary and materialistic greed at the expense of society and the environment rules the day.

EU funds are still used and spent without any ecological consideration. Commercial banks still sponsor without ensuring that some of their funds do not go toward the loss or destruction of biodiversity. Politicians are not concerned about loss of biodiversity as a result of the funds provided.

The environment directorate is abused, gagged and hijacked till, hopefully, it gives up the ghost. Mepa has become more of an environmental hazard than environmental protector.

Can anyone be blamed for believing that the government does not have any vision or interest in collective social and enviornmental gain?

The government’s manifesto, if electoral manifestos are anything to go by, clearly explains that a well-protected environment would lead to a better quality of life.

The new government had to seriously administer and be greatly committed to the environmental sector.

It had to work with determination to make up for lost time, aware that there are a number of difficult decisions to be made, among them the reform of Mepa.

It had to take this measure in the interest of our national environment so that it will be in a better position to address the challenge (electoral manifesto p. 93).

The separation of the environment and planning departments within Mepa was intended “to strengthen the environment’s autonomy” and “to give more importance to the strategic aspect and long-term vision”, “to reach a better balance between conservation and the protection of the environment and responsible development” (electoral manifesto p. 94).

Yet, after 21 months in government, Mepa remains responsible for en-vironment protection, playing havoc in the sector, not wanting to have anything to do with environmental protection.

Mepa’s environmental management is far from the electoral commitments made by the party in government.

The procrastination in bringing about the promised demerger does not help to convince anyone that the government is keen on immediately honouring its electoral manifesto even on such a delicate matter that will affect the future of the islands.

Such a vacuum and delay is undoubtedly being capitalised to the detriment of society and the environment.

It is very clear that the official pro-business vision is sucking Malta’s resources dry.

The Cabinet minister who on paper is responsible for the environment will eventually be hande a dead skeleton of environemental structures, impossible to resuscitate, if at all.

The ‘not-my-fault’ syndrome has unfortunately undermined any sense of good governance.

Sometimes I ask myself whether the environmental remit has been politically omitted from the Environment Minister’s portfolio and divided and fragmented among other Cabinet ministries so that it would be easy to say that no one is responsible when environmental protection is everyone’s responsibility.

In the run up to the election, the Prime Minister said that if any voters were not happy with the way ministers were handling their responsibilities according to the manifesto they should refer the matter to him directly.

The letter signed by present and former presidents of Din l-Art Ħelwa regarding the pitiful state of the environment was a first step. It was followed by a group of other environmental NGOs.

I would also like to bring to the Prime Minister’s attention the manner in which the environment is being mismanaged and exploited.

There is no doubt that the legacy this government will be leaving to future generations is indeed shameful and does not do any honour to any politician, if honour is valued any more these days. Ironically, the environment falls within the portfolio of the author of the electoral manifesto. He is definetly being advised by the wrong people, some say conveniently, though I do not agree with this.

The latest comments by the Prime Minister can possibly show that he is not happy with this sad state of affairs. And rightly so becasue there will definitely not be much hope for the environment in the future with the big irreparable negative impact this will have on society, which will eventually have to pay the price for such political mismanagement.

Mepa playing havoc with environmental matters is definitely not in line from the electoral manifesto’s commitments. Not only will lost time not be recovered (electoral manifesto p 93) but such lost time is being extended and extended until there will be nothing left to recover.

Having hijacked the planning authority, the pro-business mentality driving force is holding society and the environment to ransom.

Environmentalists who have the real national interest at heart consider 2014 as a very bad omen for the future of Maltese environment.

Will this new year offer new hopes, new visions, new sustainable life for the benefit of society and the environment?

The momentum of environmental degradation through the vision of exploitation at all costs raises serious doubts among those having the well-being of the country at heart.

I only hope 2015 will prove me wrong, not through political blah-blah but by genuine social and environmental tangible measures.

aebaldacchino@gmail.com

alfredbaldacchino.wordpress.com

Alfred Baldacchino is a former assistant director at the Malta Environment and Planning Authority’s environment directorate