Over 100 students aged 11 to 18 from local schools recently took part in the Young Reporters for the Environment programme, in which they had to investigate and write a journalistic article or take photos or produce a video to air their concerns on the environmental situation in Malta. The following are the winners of the various categories.
• Quarry worry (article 11-14 years) by Michela Noelene Zammit, Dorianne Calleja and Angelica Galea from St Margaret College, Girls’ Secondary School, Żejtun.
Quarries are very much a feature of the Maltese landscape but there is not much discussion on how to use them after they close down. This article puts forward various solutions to help eliminate these scars from Malta.
• Of tunnels and reservoirs: The national flood relief project (article 15-18 years) by Samuel Azzopardi from G.F. Abela Junior College, Msida.
This article investigates the national rainwater harvesting measures Malta is undertaking to reduce flooding in winter, and to use some of it as second-class water.
• If this eyesore you cannot bear... don’t be afraid to care (photo 11-14 years) by Yasmin Joy Attard from Our Lady Immaculate School, Ħamrun.
The entrance to what probably was a small farmhouse just outside Xewkija today hosts a small rubbish dump . This waste is not just an eyesore but also poses a danger to people, the soil and underlying groundwater. Rust, or iron oxide, can harbour microbes, such as tetanus. An old TV set contains chemicals, such as lead and barium, which can seep through the soil and pollute the groundwater.
Something needs to be done to clean up what is left of our countryside. In a country where space is at a premium and the countryside is rapidly becoming a rarity, we must do everything in our power to conserve that little breath of fresh air we have left.
• Licensed to kill (photo 15-18 years) by Emma Louise Borg from St Benedict College, Girls’ Secondary School, Tarxien.
Pesticides are designed to kill insects, fungus, bacteria and other organisms that feed on crops. These pests are a nuisance to farmers as they spread disease and destroy crops. Pesticides and genetically modified organisms are used by farming companies to increase crop yield, but they could damage the environment and adversely affect consumers.
Some pesticides work by poisoning the pollen and nectar of flowers and this can kill much-needed pollinators like butterflies and bees. Organic farming, in particular biological pest control, should be used instead of pesticides. For example, the larvae of lady bugs can be used to control aphids.
Butterflies and bees are wonderful creatures that need protection. These tireless insects do a vital job pollinating flowers, shrubs and fruit trees. Their presence also adds a touch of beauty and delight to our countryside.
• A journey to save the world (video 11-14 years) by Annalise Ebejer and Sarah Mifsud from St Joseph School, Paola.
This video is about how we can save the world. It shows photos of how people are littering everywhere. Also included are tips on putting the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) into action. There is also a part showing how beautiful the sea and the countryside are when they are not littered.
We need to do something and we need to do it now! This should be our no. 1 priority. We may not like it, but we have to raise awareness about it; for the world’s sake, act now!
• Report on organic waste management at our school (video 15-18 years) by Jeanluke Camilleri and committee from Archbishop’s Seminary School, Rabat.
The Archbishop’s Seminary in Rabat comprises a primary and secondary school and the Major Seminary. The Major Seminary kitchen alone generates between one and two kilos of organic waste a day. The students set up an interview with Seminary rector Fr Jimmy Bonnici about the possibility of converting organic waste into compost.
• Where flowers don’t grow (photo 11-14 years) by Matia Agius Muscat from St Edward’s College, Vittoriosa.
A panoramic view tinted with this shameful eyesore… a large coastal area is slowly becoming a dumping site, destroying the habitat for insects and plants. This problem persists year after year – last year’s rubbish ended up being burnt to the detriment of the surrounding environment. Litter brings more litter.
The local council should arrange for this bulky refuse to be removed. Also, immediate action must be taken to put up a sign that whoever is caught dumping will be fined a hefty sum.
This site is rich in flora and fauna and it is a pity that those responsible are allowed to ruin and cause such damage at no cost.
• The whole town’s on board – are you? (article 11-14 years) by the Ekoskola Committee of Gozo College, Victoria School.
The school’s Ekoskola committee was fed up seeing plastic bottles and paper in the streets and started an anti-litter recycling campaign.
• So goatilicious! (photo 15-18 years) by Maria Bella Muscat, Yanika Micallef from St Nicholas College, Girls’ Secondary School, Rabat.
These are some of Wiġi tal-Beżuża’s sheep and goats at Dingli.
His trade has been passed from one generation to the next. Rearing livestock used to involve the whole family. Long ago, when the herd was bigger, women made traditional cheeselets from goats’ milk called ġbejniet and they also sheared their wool.
One day, while foraging, one of Wiġi’s goats chewed on a discarded plastic bag. If we act more responsibly, such events could be avoided.
So the next time you are enjoying a picnic in the countryside please dispose of that plastic bag wisely; the outcome of your carelessness could be worse than you think.
• A constant fight – litter in Malta (video 11-14 years) by Luigi Dimech from St Edward’s College, Vittoriosa.
This video uses footage shot all over Malta. It discusses how litter is found everywhere, how it ruins the islands’ beauty, how it can harm animals and what can be done to minimise the problem.
• The non-sticky news (video 11-14 years) by Sephora Scicluna, independent candidate.
Discarded blobs of gum are a common sight of litter in streets, public gardens and parks. Local councils and business organisations have long thought of possible ways to find a solution to solve this sticky eyesore.
A simple action by individuals fond of chewing gum can drastically reduce this form of litter. This video entitled The Non-Sticky News motivates chewing-gum users to adopt this simple action and change their habit.
• Saving nature in three minutes (video 15-18 years) by Martina Mifsud, Celine Camilleri, Graziella Chetcuti and Angelina Yurieva Dimitrova from St Margaret College, Girls’ Secondary School, Żejtun.
Four students, disguised as inspectors, take their audience on a trip across Malta to reveal shocking consequences of simple, ‘innocent’ activities that are harmful not only to humans, but to the ecosystem as a whole.
Moving from one location to another, they show viewers horrible scenes that seem to follow us no matter where we go, remaining as traces of human activities that leave behind an ugly scar on the beautiful face of nature. The students hope to open the eyes of viewers and deliver the following message: We are ready to take action and, as your children, we hope you will join forces with us and give us the opportunity to live in a clean environment.
• The double-sided reality (19-21 years) by David Ellul, Jean Claude Schembri, Johann Camilleri, Roderick Baldacchino, and Tonio Farrugia from the Żejtun Eco Centre.
The increase in waste being generated is one of the major environmental problems nowadays. Many are aware of this problem but this is not enough… it’s time to act. With a little thought, waste can be reused and therefore reduced. Moreover, care must be taken when disposing of waste for a better environment. By doing this, one can also save money.
The late Fr Eric Overend, leader of the Eco Centre in Żejtun contributed to this entry.
The programme is run by the Foundation for Environmental Education, Denmark, and represented locally by Nature Trust Malta and the best local entries from each category compete in an international competition.
This year YRE Malta also chose to take part in the Wrigley Litter Less campaign, so most of the entries focused on the litter situation in Malta. An award ceremony for the Wrigley winners will be held on June 5, World Environment Day.
The full articles, photos and videos of all entries may be viewed at www.yremalta.org. For details, e-mail yre@naturetrustmalta.org.