MODULE 4 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENT

1. History and the Environment Fernand Braudel (French Historian)

Chapter gives a historical perspective of the environment with a difference. However it does not refer to individuals and particular events but geography, climate became the central concerns in history. FB has challenged the concept of history as an inventory of individuals and the narrative of their deeds. His approach was that of transcending the individual and the particular event, hence uncovering the impersonal forces that fashioned people and their lives. Braudels choice followed his consideration of different time-spans: Short Span events were immediate and the individual is central Intermediate Span duration may last a civilization Longest Span time is almost stationary and the man is intimately related to the earth that bears and feeds him.

The Mediterranean and the Mediterranean World in the Age of Philip 2 = introduces geography as a means to perceive things in the perspective of the long term (authors aim). What does Mediterranean mean? The presence of mountain chains rising above the sea, small plains and rivers, the latter prone to the torrential outburst, and the ease of maritime communication across a semi-enclosed sea, have shaped the cultural progress of the region. Agriculture is an economic activity in which man works with nature. These have been active in modifying the environment, society and economy (elements of culture). The Mediterranean becomes the product of its own history. Mountains are formed around most of the Mediterranean coast, at times dropping at the waters edge. Only place where this does not happen is from Tunisia to Syria, instead its bordered by the Sahara (communication is difficult and demanding). The mountain can be easily associated with the concept of freedom. The mountains became obstacles and therefore a refuge for the free or the different (Medieval feudalism penetrated very little in mountainous areas. The Abruzzi escaped the rule of papal Rome whilst Napoleon could not subdue the mountains around Genoa).

With modern roads and transport, things were bound to change but roads became the extension of the power and the plains and there was always contact between lowland and highland. When the lowlands became too dangerous, people migrated upwards and were forced to be self-sufficient for the essentials of life and this led to backwardness and poverty. They migrated downwards when the mountains were overpopulated or during harvest time. Besides other human resources, mountains also provide resources including mines and quarries almost all the mineral resources of the Mediterranean in fact are found in mountainous regions. There are also olives, oranges, forests, crops, stocks, milk, butter, cheese, meat, wildlife, springs and water. These resources are usually sparsely distributed.

High open plains with a characteristic (Mediterranean) of dry and hard soil provided the setting for easy establishment of roads and tracks. The plains were usually a landscape of misery and desolation (Plains of Durazzo, Corsica, Sardinia and Cyprus, and the lower Rhone valley were desolate.) Stagnant water blocked in plains led to swamp fevers and especially malaria, which had worse effects than plague according to Braudel.

When it comes to Malta: Mediterranean sea was immense (Colonialism). Maltas strategic position and deep, well-shattered harbours were both a liability ( because the people suffered long periods of domination, servitude and privacy) as well as an asset (when they were provided for the peoples well-being). Our geographic position was always going to provide a more attractive economic outlet than agricultural activity since arable land and fresh water were always very scarce. The Maltese turned to the sea and havent looked back since: dockyards, yacht marines, Free port, cruise liners and services such as ship registration, insurance and traditional sun-and-sea tourist facilities. (Braudels long span theory).

2. The Environment: A Choice amongst values?

We have to change the way citizens look at the environment. Are we looking as spectators or as part of the problem? Author gives religious and philosophical reasons for what is happening at the moment. We are a product of what happened throughout the years. Moral issues what is right and what is wrong (includes also atheists)

Multidisciplinary What is my responsibility as a citizen for the environment on the local EU and global level

Man and the rest of creation Man occupied the top place, followed by animals, plants and minerals. A biblical reference to the Genesis is made. Only man was created in the image of God with a soul. Whilst humans can sin against God and themselves, they cannot sin against the nonhuman natural world, unless these actions hit back against other human beings. If one sprays gasses which are harmful to the ozone layer, one is not killing or hurting people directly but is in fact destroying the natural worlds protection system for Man. Humans are the centre of the moral universe. This is the Christian mentality we grew up in. This ancient Mediterranean and Judaeo-Christian tradition has not granted an equal moral value to all life, meaning ultimately that not all life qualifies for the same level of respect. Philosophical and religious traditions are the means and evidence of superiority of the human species over the other so-called less-developed beings (amoral species). From this angle, this is seen as an instrumental argument. However, this tradition has not been highly promising. Human activity is taking over the natural environment and turning it into human construction. Before, leaving town meant entering a desert of wilderness. Today this wilderness is characterized by urbanization and road networks. So far, this discussion about the moral status of different living species may mislead us. The argument may in fact be one about power from economy. After all, throughout history, humans have not thought it wrong to treat other humans as inferior. In fact, past civilizations have attributed to readings about how other races were turned into slaves, girls and woman subdued socially to a sexual function either for pleasure or childbearing (some communities still look at woman as inferior) , the mentally and physically disabled used for scientific and leisure delights of different communities, children used and abused for anything they could contribute to the general well-being of the adult world, abuse towards animals. The view about the value of life is taken-for-granted. Is there a difference between the value life in general (all organisms) and human life in particular? Self awareness, rationality, language abilities and other qualities support human superiority, but what about humans with severe mental abilities, infants and those in a coma? Animal rights activists demand consistency in the argument. What is the animals eaten, hunted, or used in vivisection experiments have stronger awareness than the previous human categories mentioned before? It becomes clear that just as a racist thinks of another race as inferior simply because it is another race, then a human

being who thinks humans are superior just because they are humans, is opening himself up for the speciesist accusation. Man and the physical environment One of the reasons for the above discriminatory attitudes is that they hide other reasons (less philosophical but more economic). In fact, ever since the financial crisis in 2008, the idea of importance of economy took over. When the Hilton Hotel project was presented, a decision needed to be taken between physical environment and its evaluation in economic terms. On one side it increased opportunities for employment, tourism, construction, and other auxiliary economic sectors. However there were arguments for the loss of recreation and wilderness sites as well as the disturbance for local residents. Environmental values including sustainable development, was not the first time to give way to economic values. However, economic interests have to gain the upper hand. When a project for the construction for a cementproducing plant in Ghar Lapsi was proposed for approval, it had strong economic incentives but local councils, residents and farmers from the surrounding objected to it. The project was turned down. Global Situation: contest for their exploitation can lead to war. Oil deposits or water sources are highly attractive for those who can lay a claim on them. If there is no way to bend international legislation then invasion or any other physical action generally satisfied by ethereal arguments have systematically been the result. Assuming that national territory still means something this shows how powerful nations or economic forces may have an indirect say on what other societies do with their environment.. When Egypt decided to nationalize the Suez Canal, France and Britain threatened and Israel invaded.

3. Environmental Politics and Public Participation: Green Parties in Coalition Governments and NGOs
The Green Movement relies on the ideals of the larger ecology, peace, conservation, environmental movements and the general trend towards environmentalism. Green politicians and green parties enshrine respect for the natural environment in their policies, although politicians not in these parties can harbor green values as well. There have been 3 major revolutions throughout the historical passage of modern man: Neolithic Revolution marked the ascent of agriculture Industrial Revolution marked the ascent of the industrial production process

Environmental Revolution marks a shift in the human mindset with respect to the environment as a result of the expansion of human population and inherent impacts it brings along with it.

Plato complained that Greece was once blessed with fertile soils and clothed with abundant forests of pine trees, but the cutting down of forests to build ships and houses resulted left behind only a rocky skeleton of a body wasted by disease. First concrete stirrings of environmentalisms were observed during 18 th century. For example, plant physiologist Stephen Hales postulated hat conserving green plants preserves rainfall. This was put into practice and in 1964, on the Caribbean Island of Tobago (20%). Pierre Poivre, an early French governor, ordered one-quarter of the island to be preserved in forests, particularly on steep mountain slopes and along waterways. The 19th century saw a ratcheting up of the green movement. In 1847, George Perkins Marsh called attention to the destructive impact of human activity on the land, especially through deforestation. He advocated a conversationalist approach to the management of forested lands. In 1872, Yellowstone National Park was declared the worlds first National Park. Theodore Roosevelt is considered the first true environmentalist. Inaugurated several American national parks. This fact is emblematic of the somewhat utilitarian, anthropocentric exploitation creed followed by environmentalists at the time who advocated the preservation of lands simply to preserve the raw materials found therein, as opposed to the biocentric view which states that nature should be conserved due to its inherent value, irrespective to its financial value to man. Rachel Carsons epic book The Silent Spring lifted the lid for the gullible society of the time of the side effects of the new wonder chemicals appearing on the market (pesticides). A few years later, scientists correlated the reduction of the stratospheric layer with the release of CFCs. Rachel Carsons legacy is aptly embodied by Time magazine. Stating that Befo re there was an environmental movement there was one brave woman and her very brave book. This book triggered a domino effect of events : 1970 first Earth Day was commemorated 1972 Greenpeace was founded 1972 Worlds very first green party 1972 - UNEP ie. United Nations Environmental Programme
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1982 whaling was phased out 1980s to present date a number of international meeting on climate change and sustainability Coalition cabinet/ government is a cabinet in the Parliamentary government in which several parties cooperate (eg. Nordic countries, Germany, Italy, Israel, India, Turkey). Switzerland has been ruled by a loose coalition of the 4 strongest parties since 1959 called the Magic Formula. The reason for this is because no party on its own has a majority in the parliament. This does not appear at all where the cabinet is chosen by the President rather than the lower house (eg. United States). In Malta we only have one Green Political Party which was founded in 1987 and stood first for national elections in 1992 (had the greatest amount of votes that year). Green Parties are taken to side with leftist leaning groups. Whilst this Red-Green coalition is common, there have been examples of Green parties who ally themselves with more conservationist parties. In Finland, Greens form part of the centre-right coalition. In Hawaii, these side with the orthodox group seeking to preserve their traditional lifestyle. In Germany, Greens have the greatest following. Englands major green party People was born in 1973. Due to the internal divisions over the direction of the party in the early 1990s, the Green party fell out of the limelight and failed to maintain its electoral momentum. The party has not been able to repeat the success it achieved in the 1980s. In the United States, the Green party has been active since the 1980s (first gained widespread public attention during Ralph Naders presidential runs between 1996 and 2000). An NGO is a non-governmental organization which means that it is not part of the government and was not founded by the states. Hence they are independent of the government and are usually non-profit organizations that gain at least a portion of their funding from private sources. Since they are considered to be broad they now prefer the term private voluntary organization POV. Russia has around 65,000 NGOs and the UN around 29,000. NGOs are made up of heterogeneous groups: INGO - international NGO eg. CARE and Mercy Groups BINGO business-oriented international NGO RINGO religious international NGO ENGO environmental NGO (eg. Global 2000 and in Malta: Nature Trust Malta, Birdlife Malta, Friends of the Earth, Gaia, Ramblers, Din L-Art Helwa)
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NGOs have a difficult time when it comes to funding possibilities especially since they are not recognized as legal entities and are hence precluded from applying directly from funding from EU programs. In Malta, we have a director for NGOs. According to the laws, NGOs have to register with this director. White Paper In government, a white paper is often a policy or position paper, which is then subjected to the Cabinet and a public scrutiny for the purpose of effecting in it prior to it being proposed as new legislation. Sustainable development is the emphasis placed on public participation. Reasons: Public Participation is a good on its own right, empowering people both individually and collectively and reducing social exclusion and alienation. Decisions based on participation have a broader spectrum of knowledge and are easier to implement because they are owned by a wider group of people. (active vs passive citizens)

Public participation has therefore been endorsed by many countries. Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration states that sustainable development issues are best handled with the participation of all concerned citizens (they should have the information and opportunity to be able to participate in decision-making processes). Before this happened, the international community placed responsibility only on consultants (scientists etc). Agenda 21 emphasises the need for enabling the participation of major groups. More recently this has been recognized by the WSSD (World Summit on Sustainable Development) policy-formulation, decision-making and implementation on all levels. Pressure groups of ENGOs in Malta: Save Wied Garnaw Action Group Moviment kontra L-Impjant tar-Riciklagg Ekologika (against the proposed Xaghra l-Hamra golf course) Front Kontra l-Golf Course (against the proposed Verdala golf course)

The green movement on the maltese islands started when 5 local councils (Luqa, Qormi, Zebbug, Mqabba, Siggiewi) joined forces to object to a proposed cement plant.

Some of these pressure groups have been accused of NIMBY (not in my backyard). Eg. Objecting to a block of apartments in a Green Area simply because it detracts the view from your apartment).

4. Local Environment Legislation: Structure Plan, Local Plan, and Ensuring Public Access and Right of Passage
First legislation published was Act XV of 1988 which declared Filfla as a Nature Reserve. Immediately came the Building Permits. Progress at all costs. We were a developing country. The Structure Plan is considered to be the Magna Carta for the local planning system since it is essentially concerned with Maltas future environment, both man-made and natural. Also a way in which resources can be best created and used to achieve an environment which Malta can be proud of. It involves: built environment, roads, transport and industry to the rural environment, coastal zone management, marine conservation, tourism and recreation. A case study on safeguarding public right of access to coastal areas Rambling hiking or meandering through open spaces, often off the beaten track. This was popular in the UK and was introduced to Malta : Ramblers Association. One of its guiding objectives was opening up of public land for public enjoyment. However, large tracts of public land were fenced away for private use, primarily coastal areas along cliff sites by trappers and hunters. However it wasnt always these people but also individuals owning a farmhouse or land next to these sites. It all comes down to progress. From 1980s to today, owners of a hotel etc next to beach were given a concession. In recent years, the association has engaged to seek help to open up public access to iconic coastal sites (most notably the bay at Fomm ir-Rih) The Development Planning Act of 1992 is to date the most holistic piece of planning legislation for the Maltese Islands, the Planning Authority was thus conceived. The following is an extract from MEPAs Mission Statement: The MEPA is committed to ensure that land use and the protection of the environment meets the needs of todays society and future communities. We are working to ensure a quality of life that will be in harmony with our natural, cultural and built environment. In so doing we are seeking to implement sustainable development that safeguard the environment.

Like all others, the legislation was subsequent for amendments and the MEPA is legally obliged to review the structure plan. Although the structure is for more than 20 years, it can be reviewed provided that there is a 5 year period. The authority shall monitor the Structure Plan and review it as often as may be necessary provided that such a review does not take place within a period of less than 5 years . The Maltese Islands need a new Structure Plan that will not only take full account of the current situation, but also cater for the future. Topic papers were drawn up and these included: demography (predictions on changes in the Maltese population over the nest 20 years), tourism, coastal strategy, minerals, leisure and recreation, housing (in Malta 54,000 units not inhabited). In 1991, the Environment Protection Act was enacted to actively promote environmental protection. An important legal notice published under an amendment to such an act was the Trees and Woodlands Regulations, which listed 3 appendices: to protect trees (eg. National tree, Aleppo pine, carob tree, bay laurel, trees having more than 50 years of age), woodland and damaging tree species (Castor Oil Plant). Yet another legal notice was the Fauna and Flora Protection Regulation in 1999 which listed floral species (endemic Maltese cliff-orache) and protected faunal species (painted frog). These legal notices envisaged protection through punitive measures such as fines. Another legal notice was the LN 257 which listed animals and plants in need of protection and sites identified as being of national importance. These Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) were submitted to the EU for inclusion within the EUs Natura 2000. Local SACs include: Buskett, marshland at il-Maghluq in Marsascala, sand dunes at White Tower Bay and ir-Ramla l-Hamra, the garigue at Pembroke, Dwejra, the BBugia-Mellieha cliff formations, ix-Xaghra l-Hamra. Important legal notices under the same Act include: Marine Mammals Protection, Birds and Wild Rabbit Protection Regulations and Rubble Walls and Rural Structures Regulations (including giren and kmamar tar-razzett). EU directives transposed to local legislation include the Freedom of Access to the Information on the Environment Regulations all the MEPA does has to be online, the Water Framework Directive (percentage of farmers apply for boreholes. Some boreholes are not good for human health because of the serenity therefore they are given to the farmers) and Birds Directive. Local Plans are usually prepared for areas in which pressure for development already exists or is anticipated. The Structure Plan lay down the explicit need for Local Plans in 1990. The approval of the local plans was accompanied by an increase in the local footprint permissible for development purposes.
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5. The New Law of the Sea: From Grotius to Pardo

It is particularly important for Malta because being an island state is continuously referring to the law of the sea. The sea is the very basis of human life. The serve many functions especially: Affecting the climate and temperature absorb solar radiation. This is stored as heat which is distributed by the ocean currents around the globe. Heats land and air during Winter and cools them during Summer. A major source of humankinds nourishment particularly throught the exploitation of their fisheries Brought people together by enabling maritime traffic and commerce (communication) Worlds cargos are transported by ships.

Humankinds uses of the ocean have attracted the need for regulation, particul arly when conflicting uses occur. As from the last century, international law divided the oceans into 2 areas: territorial sea (adjacent to the coast, wherein the coastal state enjoyed sovereignty limited mainly by the right of innocent passage accorded to the ships of all states) and the high seas (commencing at the outer limit of the territorial sea, wherein no state could validly purport to exercise its sovereignty and wherein all states enjoyed the freedoms of the high seas, particularly the freedoms of navigation and access to resources). If illegal immigrants fall on a territorial sea, the state to which it belongs to needs to see whats supposed to be done from them. In his book, Mare Clausum, Grotius argued that it was permissible for a state to oc cupy the oceans and allowed to control even by means of naval power. The government of Malta took the initiative and raised the matter at the UN General Assembly. Pardo gave a speech to review the international rules regulating humankinds activities on th e oceans. He urged the UN to declare the sea-bed and its resources beyond the limits of national jurisdiction to be part of the common heritage of mankind. He proposed that the exploitation of these resources would be undertaken on behalf of humankind with the profits being channeled into the economies of least developed states. In 1973 it was decided by the General Assembly to convene the Third UN conference of the Law of the Sea. As a result of the 1994 agreement, the support for the 1982 convention became widespread.. The convention deals with almost every aspect of the sea. It is considered as a universal constitution regulating humankinds use of the sea and its marine resources.
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Maltas 1967 initiative at the UN further consolidated Maltas long-standing important role in the development of the international law of the sea. In 1988, a UN specialized agency and the government of Malta, the IMO, International Maritime Law Institute was set up to train lawyers in international maritime law. This maritime legal tradition has also contributed to the development of Maltas maritime registry, making Malta possess one of the largest registers of the ships worldwide.

6. Maltas Initiative on Climate Change

The earths climate system is changing Greenhouse effect Earths atmosphere traps heat from suns rays. Scientists expressed the concern about the Earths changing climate and attributed the change to the excessive use of fossil fuels by human being to generate electricity. Scientific evidence showed that greenhouse gases are changing the way the atmosphere absorbs the suns energy. The concentration is always increasing, causing global warming. Problem is becoming worse because sinks which naturally absorb these gases, such as forests, were being degraded and destroyed as a result of unsustainable environmental practices. Scientists highlighted that a 3 degree Celsuis increase in the average global temperatures within 100 years, will lead to sea-level rise (What will happen to Malta?), intense storms, droughts, crop failures, social upheaval. Maltas Initiative Before such natural disasters started happening, governments had not given any political attention to consider climate change and do something about it. In 1988 it was suggested that Malta takes the initiative and request the UN General Assembly to consider the need of comprehensive global strategy to protect climate from change in order to ensure that our planet remains fit to sustain human life. In 1988, Maltas foreign minister introduced in a UN General Assembly meeting for climate to be one of the common concern of humankind and should be protected from change for present and future generations. A belief that there should be global recognition of the fundamental right of every human being to enjoy climate in a state which best sustains life, since climate is intimately linked with the existence of human life on Earth (evolution). Malta felt that it was important for governments and other policy-makers to adopt coordinated effective policies and measures at the national and regional levels, giving special attention to the needs of developing

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countries. A resolution was made called Protection of Global Climate for Present and Future Generations of Humankind. Resolution was brought about because of 1) common concern poorer and smaller states given priority since they are more vulnerable. They have common but differentiated responsibilities towards climate change and 2) humankind everybody is involved, including scientists and the public at large since climate change will affect all humankind and all sectors of society. The Climate Change Convention and the Kyoto Protocol Established that countries must take measures to stabilize their emissions of greenhouse gases as they were in 1990. The Kyoto Protocol was to take further steps towards reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The Protocol obliges developed countries to establish reduction targets of greenhouse gases and to comply with these targets within an established timeframe. Unfortunately, some countries emitting vast amounts of greenhouse gases have refused to join. Apart from this, not all states have the financial means to invest in new technologies and it is very hard to change our lifestyle based on a number of commodities and services, which depend on fossil fuel generated energy. States have realized that cutting down on emissions means heavy investment in new, alternative technologies and the need to change present lifestyles. There is no alternative but to devise ways and means how to adapt to climate change, which scientists say is partly inevitable since a certain degree of global warming had already occurred.

7. Global Urbanization: Impacts on the Environment

In Malta, impact may be more serious and has greater repercussions than any other country, mainly because of the size of the island. Urbanization the concentration of people in towns and cities, relative to the territorys overall population. The spread of urbanization Mostly associated with developing world, excessive immigration and the spread of informal settlements therefore a pressure on the population and an ever-increasing amount of space that individuals within the city consume. This can lead to landscape destruction and environmental degradation. Such sprawl promote: congestion, loss and degradation of open spaces, soil compaction and surface sealing, urban air pollution.
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The impact of urbanization on air and climate These include (interconnected): Drivers of climate alteration eg. Laying down of tarmac Extensive use of glass on building facades Operation of internal combustion engines, especially automobiles Construction work and buildings themselves Modifications of streams and other waterways( evaporation in cities is reduced by the often efficient and rapid drainage of water) Contamination of air ( temperatures in cities and large towns are often slightly higher than the surrounding rural areas due to escaped heat)

Can alter: reflected solar radiation, temperature patterns, atmospheric circulation, wind patterns, cloud cover, humidity levels. The Impact of urbanization on water This is important for the Maltese Islands. Alterations in ground water levels, precipitation patterns, variations in runoff and stream water. Can cause extensive flooding and artificial water removal systems are overwhelmed. The Impact of urbanization on land Erosion of exposed ground during excavation of sites for construction development, landscaping by companies (little regard to the retention of existing vegetation and landforms), land erosion, disposal of waste (whether buried, recycled or stockpiled, still a huge problem). Current strategies abroad are aimed at lessening the command and conquer with a shift in favour of working with nature using softer and greener approaches that respect the environment. The impact of urbanization on ecology Urbanization can remove entire habitats and populations of the previously existing species. Remaining habitats become increasingly isolated and fragmented, transformed into urban habitat islands. Remedial actions might include: retention of green spaces as refugees for wildlife, corridor habitats (links between fragmented habitats), restore habitats around periphery of urban areas, increase biodiversity and structural diversity of city vegetation, sensitive management policies. Future Prospects
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In Malta, during the last 10 years, certain villages are touching because of the increase in buildings. Sustainability will remain a key issue in all aspects of urbanization.

8. Capitalism and Quality of the Environment

An increased awareness and concern for the environment is not only culturally fashionable but undeniably important and justified. Rarely does anyone take the trouble to analyze the cause and effect relationships between the ever-expanding industrial capitalist system and the natural conditions of production. Societies of the advanced industrial world accuse less developed states of destroying the environment, while they strengthen their monopoly over the access to global resources and reaffirming their right to control them. Capitalism a system based on private ownership and control of the means of production in which labour power is bought through wages and the goal is to make profit through the sale of commodities, heavily dependent on the surplus value generated over the use of human labour, amongst others. Competition is a basic prop and innovation at the same time produce more at reduced costs. The more capitalism expands and the more rapidly it does so, the more widespread the damage. Ban or regulation of economic development will mean curtailment of the standard of living in the capitalist states or withholding the possibility of similar progress in the less developed countries. It seems that capitalist markets provide the means to safeguard the best for the environment. Once environmental concerns become popular, even the multinational companies start paying lip-service to environmental protection and can donate. Should we sacrifice present happiness for the well-being of future generations when it is not clear the future will be worse off if we, at present, continue to raise our standards of living? This is a reaction to the concern of sustainability. We have to change our lifestyle because of sustainability. Many people are talking about pleasure an nor happiness. When there is doubt, is not prudence and safety first better? The result of this no risk approach is that costs will rise because environmental regulation does not come free and these costs usually fall on the weak since underdevelopment benefits the capitalist world and environmental protection or sensitivity are traded for raw material resources, labour and environmental costs savings. Is education a solution? What if we aim at a possible change of values, preferring ones that are more sensitive to environmental protection? It is always a daunting task to plan how one goes

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about changing values. Education takes time and there is no guarantee of achieving the desied results. The polluter pays principle, however, does not solve the waste problem but regulates it. Mans access to natural resources is generally regulated by economic development and legislation. The need for planning waste treatment, resource renewal and management (eg. Impjant ta Sant Antnin) State intervention becomes crucial.

9. Tourism and the Environment

Tourism is important for the economy. In 2012, we had approximately 1.5 million visitors and this brought about economic prosperity (income, continuous wok for all those in the industry) but it also has a price (waste and depletion of water resources, noise pollution in Pv, more people at mater Dei). The importance of tourism is increased in those small island developing states where tourism is a principle sector of national economy. The increase in and spatial spread in economy has brought about an almost inevitable degradation, or at least mounting pressure on the natural, cultural, and socio-economical environments that attract tourists. Sustainability becomes a safety initiative one is forced to adopt and the WTO promotes sustainable tourism both in policies and practices. Tourism depends on a substantial degree on climate conditions, weather patterns and environmental conditions. In Malta, a serious holiday-planning exercise by the consumer and provider of the service, but it also means tourist organizations must provide all necessary information (eg. possible health problems related to the environment conditions, weather acclimatization. Domestic travelling will not affect only the tourist sector but also related economic activities including agriculture, handcrafts and construction. Tourism depends on the use of water, energy and food, besides other needs such as transportation (eg. Can absorb resources from sectors that cannot compete on the same levels with tourism, like agriculture). Average tourist consumes more water than the average resident of the country. Gardens and golf courses have to be watered regularly and swimming pools filled in. The solution to these is well-tested practices and technologies including: water-saving sanitary installations, reduction and improvement of system of public garden irrigation, wastewater reuse, closed water cycles in hotels and in neighboring communities, seawater desalination.

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Another problem is the infrastructure (roads, people in restaurants, 5 star service to tourists in hotels etc) and this can be hard to expect the locals to willingly cooperate and support the tourism effort.

10.Sustainable development
The main theme is the difference between the standard of living (tied to economic points/ reasoning) and a good quality of life (it is a state). Development in terms of economic growth has become a global issue ever since the industrial revolution. Humans are so concerned about economic development that very often a high standard of living if confused with a good quality of life. Good quality of life careful balance between economic development, social justice and a healthy environment. These are mutually reinforcing. A healthy environment is required to support life and sustainability is a value within itself. What is sustainability and why should it be adopted as a guiding principle? A development that meets the need of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. We need to limit ourselves to the type of technology we use. Sustainability also is tackled as the pursuit of environmental conservation and pursuit of economic growth and development. Protection of the environment can lead to economic and social progress. Global plan of action to achieve sustainability, but the needs of the poor have to be addressed urgently since these do not always afford to have respect towards the environment (eg. Hunger problems). Development should be people-centered otherwise it is referred to exploitation. The following 9 principles for sustainable development are interdependent: 1) Respect and care for the community of life: all life on earth is interdependent and with our actions we can strongly influence all ecosystems 2) Improve the quality of human life: real development means that humans can improve their life in all respects. Humans have a right to a safe and healthy environment, access to education, guaranteed human rights and access to resources 3) Conserve the Earths vitality and diversity: misguided management may destroy a whole ecosystem. Humans benefit in some way from other organisms. Natures natural systems have to be kept fit for life to enjoy diversity
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4) Minimize the depletion of non-renewable resources: using alternative energy resources 5) Keep within the Earths carrying capacity: 6) Change personal attitudes and practices: education has a very important role here 7) Enable communities to care for their own environments: communities are very powerful in societies therefore informing them about any necessary changes 8) Provide a national framework for integrating and development and conservation: environmental problems should be detected in their early stages so that they are curbed management by objective. Otherwise, this would be time consuming, more costly and damage may be irreversible. A need of legislation to address these problems 9) Create a global alliance: nobody is self sufficient Economic growth does not guarantee that human needs and aspirations will be satisfied. Economic growth reaps benefits when resources when resources are distributed fairly and this ultimately leads to an increase in social welfare.

11.The Rights of Future Generations and the Environment

Main interests were to discuss the means of safeguarding the interests of unborn generations and the need to promote awareness of future generation issues through education and public awareness campaigning. A brief discussion Controversial because it deals with people who do not exist yet. People should care and if they dont, they are to blame for failing in their duties or responsibilities towards these future rights holders. We must make predictions on the present. The environmental concerns Rights of future generations concern economic and cultural well-being, and the state of the environment, which means the standard of living must be maintained. State of water, land and air is to be protected. Economic interest is usually thought to be short sighted. Global concerns are deemed more important and so have to be free from the more extended constraints of national ones. Even if the economy and ecology are intimately connected, it is in the environment that the problems become stark, and so the argument for the rights of future generations becomes stronger.
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Non-renewable resources, genetic engineering, more powerful technologies, and other such fabulous gifts of science can in effect harm the prospectus of future generations. An international law compromise Convention on Climate Change and Convention on Biological Diversity establish goodwill which generally accompanies mere declarations, but a stronger determination to follow up on the issues concerned, as is in the nature of conventions.

12. Environmental Education: Empowering Citizens for Sustainability

Humans have a role in the environment. Our perception of the Earth as our home has been the most determining factor that influenced our concern for the environment and determined our lifestyle (you dont feel like you own that particular thing therefore you dont feel a need to take care of things). Standard of living = economic development (quality of life is left out). Education provides citizens with the awareness, knowledge, skills and values required, thus empowering them to adopt new lifestyles and to actively participate in decision-making for a (a link to democracy). Chapter 6 of Agenda 21 (in order to achieve sustainability): Ensure basic education for all: basic education helps for survival. Environmental education must strive to help individuals become functional units ie. Active participants and decision makers in the community (eg. When an illiterate person goes to vote) Reorient existing education to address sustainable development: calls for curricula that reflect the current and future sustainability needs of society; integrate environmental, societal and economic realities; and adopt approaches to learning, teaching and assessment that are learner centred. (In Malta, 1st national curriculum document in 1999) Develop public understanding and awareness: citizens need to be capable of critically assessing policies, beyond green smokescreens and to voice their decisions through their power to vote (on any level ie. EU, global, political or national). Skills required is the ability of how to access, assess the validity and interpret the flood of information presented by the media. Public consultation documents need to be made more accessible to the general public through the use of non-technical language and the media (eg. Brochures) Training: promote a workface that is sensitive to and knows how to respond to the needs of a sustainable society. Dependent upon the presence of a supportive
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infrastructure (national policy). The question isnt whether our society will have to face the challenges of sustainable development, but whether we would have prepared a citizenry capable of facing up these challenges (we usually postpone problems) when we dont know how to represent ourselves.

13.Generation of Waste and Waste Management

In the last 30 years, weve become more effluent (richer) and the idea of consumerism has established and even advertisements. Waste is very much everyones business since all of us produce waste (Maghtab now a park, but what about the upkeep?). Waste could result in widespread pollution and health hazards if not disposed of appropriately and unfortunately, more often than not, waste is mixed up thus making it very difficult or expensive to recycle. If we recognize that waste is a resource, we would strive to manage it in an environmentally responsible manner since waste could be of value if it is treated in a sustainable manner. When Malta became part of the EU, both dump sites had to be closed down and replaced by engineered landfills. Problems of waste disposal are not only aesthetic ones but they also pose serious health hazards and their solutions are very costly (eg. When Qortin was closed down, there was a big problem with rats going into peoples houses because they couldnt find anything to eat). Land-filling takes up vulnerable space and can also cause air, water, sea and soil pollution. An alternative to landfills are incinerators (cut down of harmful chemical substances). One disadvantage is that it is extremely costly. Sustainable waste management (the 3 Rs): Reducing waste: the less waste we generate, the less waste we have to dispose of (eg. Excessive food packaging from fast food outlets are unnecessary). Biodegradable materials help the disposal of waste. Reusing waste: saves cost and energy (eg, glass containers or plastic bottles) Recycling waste: cuts down the amount of waste to be placed in landfills or incinerators, hence saves money, energy and land space)

Waste is still not being separated on a national scale in Malta and this is a serious problem, even though there are bring-in sites (investment would be to give the grey bags for free) Education plays a very important role in changing attitudes towards the environment (eg. Recycle bins in school, collection of hazardous waste such as batteries)
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14.Alternative Energy Resources

Solar energy Solar heating and photovoltaic cells (convert light into electricity directly), solar water heating cutting down on electricity bills and in consuming less non-renewable resources. Wind Power Wind farms take advantage of wind powers. Found either offshore or onshore, but they require a lot. In Malta, onshore wind farms pose a problem owing to lack of space and their visual impact, however, offshore wind turbines are possible. Biomass Waste used is all renewable (eg. Wood chips, bark, branches, leaves). In Malta, we produce biodiesel from cooking oil. Hydropower Hydropower can produce a great deal of cheap energy once the dams, which are very expensive to build, are installed. However, building of dams has a significant environmental impact.

Since all of Maltas energy comes from power stations and the burning of fossil fuels, this is putting a great strain on the economy of the country.

15.Biodiversity
Values of biodiversity: Food supplies Genes: diverse variation Biological controls Ecosystem stability

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