These past few days have given me a superb opportunity to witness first hand the enthusiasm with which the new generation loves the environment. On Tuesday, in the company of several children, I took part in the release of 11 turtles at Għajn Tuffieħa Bay. This event has now become a fixed part of our calendar. I was thrilled observing the children get so excited over the return to liberty of these turtles that had been restored to health at the San Luċjan Centre after having been rescued by NGOs and fishermen.

The children also displayed their messages on posters while some had to be restrained from joining the turtles in the sea! Even the teachers joined in the enthusiasm. On such occasions, two things impress me: firstly, as soon as the turtles sense the sea, they immediately start trying to leap out of the containers they are brought in. Secondly, the power behind each stride as they hit again the sea is awesome.

Yesterday, I attended a second event which was a prize-giving ceremony for children who took part in the batteries campaign organised by Wasteserv and financed by Fimbank. In only one month, children collected 5,200 kilos of pencil batteries, which effectively amounts to what Wasteserv normally does in six months. About 170 schools took part. One of the children, Kirstin Abela Caruana, from St Catherine's School, managed to collect over 7,200 batteries on her own. Incredible! Her teachers were astounded to see her one day turn up for school with 13 large bags laden with batteries. Samaryah Sammut, 12, from the same school collected over 2,000 batteries.

These children are models of this new generation of guardians of the environment that we have managed to cultivate in our country. Today, we have almost 80 schools taking part in the EkoSkola programme. When this was launched five years ago together with Nature Trust, we only had six schools. It is the enthusiasm and drive of these children in favour of positive action towards the environment that often motivates me to strive on despite discouraging moments caused by an indifferent "more mature" generation, which should know better - July 2.

Neda - The angel of liberty

Neda Agha Soltan, 27, has been declared the Angel of Liberty after she was gunned down by government forces during one of the protest marches taking place these days in Iran. She became the symbol of the struggling opposition in Iran, a very important country within the context of world stability, especially in the highly-sensitive and fragile region of the Middle East.

This is a country run by the Ayatollah, the supreme spiritual guide who is the most powerful person in the country. Next comes the President, an important rank, which in recent years was carried by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a man whose newsworthiness was often based on negative and controversial reasons. Two weeks ago an election was held and it was claimed that the actual President had won in convincing fashion and declared winner with 62 per cent of the votes with strong allegations of heavy gerrymandering.

We are witnessing protests in Teheran that many would never have imagined possible after the Khomeini's Islamic Revolution in 1979. However, the Iranian people did not shy away from expressing their view despite being threatened. The more ruthless the threats, the harsher grew the determination of a people in pain, wanting to demonstrate its disapproval with what's going on in its country.

The Iranian people have steeped in culture and are keenly observing all that is happening outside their borders. They are a people who not only do not shirk away from technology but who used it very effectively in times of oppression. It may well be that these revolts will die out and the current leadership will retain its position. However, the cry of pain expressed by the Iranian people in these last days has surely been heard and will echo strongly for months and years to come. Meanwhile, the Iranian government retaliates by accusing overseas governments of "foreign interference". I must have heard this phrase before somewhere - June 24.

Olives, of course

The production of olive oil has made strong strides forward in these past five years. The ministry responsible for agriculture has been instrumental in helping it grow healthily. In fact, today, there are about 100,000 trees growing in Malta and Gozo.

Many olive growers in Malta are investing mostly in olives that are suitable for oil production. Maltese consumers are becoming more interested in buying locally-produced olive oil even because local olives have particular aromatic characteristics and contain phenols and anti-oxidants that are healthy and not found in olives grown outside Malta.

The ministry has set up a committee for the promotion of fresh local produce, which is organising activities monthly aimed at particular products in order to urge consumers to use local products. Naturalment Malti is a campaign that has gained momentum. We are planning to have an olive fest this September in Żejtun.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to distribute certificates to about 200 people from varied social backgrounds who were there to learn how to nurture their trees. They were also trained by Italian experts on how to prune the trees using latest technologies - June 20.

Mr Pullicino is Minister for Resources and Rural Affairs

www.georgepullicino.blogspot.com