I refer to the interview with the new president of Din l-Art Ħelwa, Maria Grazia Cassar (‘We need to slow down the pace of development’, The Sunday Times of Malta, July 12). I must admit I am concerned about the state of our environment.

Recently my husband, two children and I visited Munich and the surrounding old villages. I was emotional at some point just looking at the green scenery. Along the motorways, one could see forests; villages are surrounded by forests and monstrous buildings are encircled with trees. I know that Germany is an enormous country with plenty of rainfall.

I remember as a child, teachers used to tell us trees attract rain. Maybe this is not exact but it is a fact that trees influence rainfall patterns. I also read that forests have a role in storing carbon and help in mitigating climate change.

Also, trees take water from the soil and release it into the atmosphere. Tree leaves also act as interceptors, catching falling rain, which then evaporates causing rain precipitation elsewhere.

So what are we doing here in Malta to plant trees to replace those that are cut down? Are we planting buildings instead?

Furthermore, my heart sinks each time I see a townhouse or house of character or any ‘Maltese’ typical house or building knocked down to be replaced by monstrous buildings. As the Din l-Art Ħelwa president said in her interview: “Let us not change our country to the point of no return.”

Our ancestors worked hard in thinking ahead, so why are we destroying their work? What are we leaving for our children and our children’s children? Do we still have any conscience left?

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