Various organisations yesterday joined forces to send out a clear message in favour of cleaner energy resources to combat climate change and other environmental problems.

During an activity in Valletta, Friends of the Earth launched of a short film called Beat the Change.

Later, in Freedom Square Valletta, a crowd including Resources Minister George Pullicino and Labour environment spokesman Leo Brincat attempted to form the letters 'Act Now'.

In a statement, Friends of the Earth said the Copenhagen talks may be the last chance to avert a global catastrophe and was perhaps the most important international meeting ever held.

Żminijietna, Voice of the Left, said that political change was needed to combat climate change.

During another activity in Spinola, Alternattiva Demokratika energy spokesman Ralph Cassar cited a study carried out by a Malta-based scientist, which showed that the country was still far from attaining the EU target of a reduction in emissions, by achieving 10 per cent of energy from renewable sources by 2020.

The share of renewable energy technologies in Malta was risible, with less than 0.01 per cent from photovoltaics and one per cent savings from solar water heaters, Mr Cassar said.

He said an immediate measure could be the installation of solar water heaters on 50,000 homes throughout Malta.

Furthermore, he called for a limit on building heights to ensure that solar equipment could be installed without the fear that higher adjacent buildings would stop the sun from reaching the equipment.

AD chairman Michael Briguglio said it was clear that as things stood, Malta would not reach its targets.

"The choice of dirty energy at the Delimara power station is a case in point," he said.