It is very easy to speak about efforts to protect the environment, to condemn vandalism and to ask people to keep their localities clean. But sometimes I have to admit that tangible efforts in this direction by the national authorities are negligible, if any at all. These past few days were quite troubling with regard to this, what with the Enemalta-mercaptan issue headlining the news and the scandal of the North African dead carcasses disposed of in Malta.

Do we, the taxpayers and citizens of this country, have to learn about such issues through unofficial sources and often when it is already too late?

I am also somewhat perplexed on the role of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority in all this. Is it not the role of this agency to prevent such development, projects and initiatives that damage our environment and to reveal the truth about cover-ups of wrongdoings? It seems that Mepa comes into the picture only in petty matters of individuals wanting to fit in an extra window in their house or in the case of small businesses that apply for permits to enlarge their enterprises.

And what about the government itself? Should it not speak openly on environmental issues instead of avoiding questions and claiming unawareness? Political accountability, anyone?

Regretfully, I think we all have to agree that environmental issues are almost ignored in this country. It is a pity that EU regulations and aspirations are literally floating over our small island, and never reach the competent authorities. In environmental matters Malta has not really caught up with the pace present in other European countries. And, no matter how much pressure green NGOs exert, it is ultimately up to those who govern this country to take the right decisions and keep in mind our environment and, ultimately, also our health, whenever new projects are initiated. That is where responsibility lies.