Save Hondoq ir-Rummien - Inform Yourself!

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WE URGE you to sign the Hondoq ir-Rummien PETITION: http://raxerri.com/soshondoq/

Press Release.

Moviment Harsien Hondoq together with Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, Ramblers Association,Nature Trust,Din L-Art Helwa,FOE Malta,Wirt Ghawdex Greenhouse Malta and Ghaqda Universita Ghawdxin welcome Transport Malta’s recent recommendation that MEPA should refuse the proposed alternative route to service the application for the building of a yacht marina, hotel and 250 flats and villas at Hondoq ir-Rummien. Common sense has prevailed.

It is indeed heartening to note that just as the Environment Directorate found the EIA biased in favour of the project, Transport Malta also concluded that there are serious shortcomings in the Traffic Impact Statement.

Firstly the traffic count was flawed by way of the location where it was carried out, far out of the Qala village core: in reality the project will generate unacceptable additional traffic in the centre of Qala.

Secondly the proposed traffic scheme for the project was not adequate. This is obvious considering that the objective of TM is” to provide an effective regulatory framework for land transport with road safety as a top priority, whilst at the same time promoting socio-economic development and protection of the environment.”

Moviment Harsien Hondoq and the eNGOs find it hard to imagine that the MEPA Board would ignore the expert advice of these two authorities, specialists in their respective fields, both of whom have recommended a refusal of this project.

The NGOs wish to thank the encouraging numbers who have been supporting the Hondoq cause and also signed up the petition. They ask those who have not yet signed it, to do so without delay at: http://raxerri.com/soshondoq/ in order to express themsleves in favour of Gozo’s natural environment.

Moviment Harsien Hondoq

Featured on Times of Malta, Di-ve and Gozonews

Open Letter & Letter to the Editor by ENGOs for Sustainable Landscaping.

Letter to the Editor sent by Greenhouse, Nature Trust Malta and Friends of the Earth after recieving no reply on their concerns by the Environmental Landscape consortium .

Environmental Landscape Concerns

In an open letter sent to the Environmental Landscape Consortium, the NGOs : Greenhouse, Nature Trust Malta and Friends of the Earth expressed their concern about the Consortium’s unsustainable practices.

While the NGOs expressed the acknowledgement that the ELC had brought about a change in the rural environmental landscape of the Maltese Islands yet they voiced their concerns on the rationale behind the excessive pruning of various trees which provide roosting sites for birds and shady places for passers-by especially during the summer months. Trees at the Mriehel Bypass, Naxxar, Valletta and other places have been defoliated extensively risking the survival of such trees.

The landscaping with alien species has been a recurrent concern for many people. Species such as the Hottentot Fig have been used risking their escape into the surrounding countryside where they have the ability to become invasive to the detriment of native biota.

In this letter the organizations question what type of pest management is used by ELC and if any precautions are used if pesticides are applied and why do ELC insist on planting annuals instead of perennials so as to reduce the amount of organic waste produced. They also raised the issue of water use in areas where turf is being planted as this poses a high maintenance and high water quantity needs - when our Islands are struggling to ensure a sustainable water supply.

The organizations feel that with improvement on the landscape practices the ELC can bring about a positive change but if the above concerns are not addressed the NGOs feel that the urban environment will become greener at the expense of other environmentally-related elements.

Original Letter sent to ELC but left unanswered on the 19th of November 2010

Dear Sir/Madam,

Greenhouse, Nature Trust Malta and Friends of the Earth are local environmental organization concerned about Malta’s biodiversity and sustainability. It is for this reason that we are writing this letter to you.

The Environmental Landscape Consortium has done a very good job in turning some of Malta’s derelict places into green areas which are pleasing and aesthetically beautiful. The Consortium has filled in a very important gap in greening our urban areas but we would like to draw your attention to some practices which are unfortunately tarnishing the very good work being done.

First of all, the ELC has been criticized not for the first for its excessive pruning. Tree foliage is an important urban feature for a variety of reasons. Species of birds roost in such foliage and excessive pruning strips the birds of their roosting site. Excessive pruning has been practiced in locations such as the Mriehel Bypass, Naxxar, Valletta and other places. Large trees with dense foliage provide much-needed cooling by creating shady areas underneath them especially in the summer months. And although pruning is important for urban trees both for the trees’ and the cities’ benefits, such excessive landscaping is both scientifically and aesthetically unfit. Excessive pruning can also kill the tree eventually because in order for it to re-grow its foliage it needs to use energy stored in other places as it lacks its photosynthetic organs causing energy depletion.

Secondly, as has also been reported in the media some time ago, there is absolutely no need to use alien species to landscape. Imported species of grasses, flowering plants and trees have been used for this purpose. South African succulents in the form of the Hottentot Fig have also been used. The latter is of particular concern when considering its invasive ability to establish itself as an alien in our countryside. In the Guidelines on Trees, Shrubs and Plants for Planting and Landscaping in the Maltese Islands prepared by the Environmental Management Unit Planning Directorate (1992), it is explicitly stated that “the use of such species [exceedingly invasive species], is considered unacceptable irrespective of their proposed sitting; wherever any doubt exists about whether a species falls within this category, a precautionary approach shall be adopted.”

On a related note, we would like to express our doubts as to how sustainable turf-landscaping is. Its high maintenance and high water needs hardly do any justice for an island struggling to ensure a sustainable water supply. Furthermore it is common to have water sprinklers used for turf irrigation spewing water onto the streets in a clear wastage of water.

Thirdly, we would like to ask what is the pest management system used by the ELC. Are pesticides and herbicides used? And if yes, what precautions are taken to ensure passers-by and nearby houses are not exposed to the residues and wind-carried spray of these toxic chemicals?

Lastly we would like to enquire why perennials are removed after flowering. Some perennial species used in landscaping, such as geraniums, are transplanted just before flowering and removed right after. This surely adds to the organic waste generated in our country when other simple alternatives are available.

We thank you for your time and co-operation,

Best Regards,

Greenhouse, Friends of the Earth Malta & Nature Trust Malta

Media: Malta Independent, Times of Malta

Climate Action Day 2010 – We’re all in the same ‘boat

For this year’s Climate Action Day, Friends of the Earth Malta teamed up with Moviment Graffitti and Greenhouse in a bid to raise awareness on climate change. The event was planned to coincide with the annual United Nations Climate Talks which are taking place this year in Cancun, Mexico. Unfortunately the event had to be called off as the Valletta Local Council refused to grant a permit for the event.


Ironically, on the same day that the Valletta Local Council refused the permit, it was announced in the papers that 2010 is set to be among three warmest years on record, and will cap the warmest decade ever. This was revealed by the UN's World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) at the world climate talks in Cancun. While Nero Played The Fiddle, Rome Burns!

During a press conference held this morning in Valletta, the three NGOs argued that climate change should be tackled at all levels, starting from an individual level to the global.


On a local level, we need to look into changing our habits and adopt a more sustainable lifestyle. Such change in attitude will not only benefit the environment but also makes economic sense. Why are we willing to invest in expensive and polluting cars but are then not willing to invest in renewable energy sources and energy efficient appliances which make more financial sense? FoE Malta, Greenhouse and Moviment Graffitti questions such illogical behaviour. The age of irresponsible consumption is over; if we are not willing to do our part how should we expect politicians and businesses to lead.


On a national level, the government should have a clearer and more effective policy on carbon emissions. This requires shifting from heavy expenditure on projects that do not reduce our emissions level to more projects that do. Malta is still, considered a carbon dinosaur with its biggest sources of emissions coming from our oil-burning power stations and from land transport. Our country needs to look into having more efficient ways in the use of energy generated. This has to move decisively towards maximum utilisation of renewable energy sources and usage of efficient, low-emission land transport. There is urgent need to improve the efficiency of our main generating equipment. The Delimara extension – using diesel and not HFO – will provide a first improvement. The interconnector from Sicily, if supplied by a natural gas power station, will also improve matters: a net cut back of perhaps 0.5 million tonnes CO2 from 2.1 million.


Globally, the increased role for multilateral development banks as a channel for climate finance is not a blessing but more adept at causing climate pollution than in helping countries to mitigate or adapt to it. Using these channels would also mean climate finance in the form of loans or other debt-creating instruments. Using other instruments such as grants by developed countries as compensation for damages done will reduce the costs of dealing with climate change to the already heavy debt burdens experienced by many developing countries. Hence, we demand that all public money to fight climate change must go through the UNFCCC, not the World Bank, because the World Bank is the wrong institution to control financing for climate change. The decision to establish a global climate fund under authority of the UNFCCC should be adopted in Cancun.


The current global economic crises should be seen as an opportunity to move away from the current inefficient practices. This should lead us to the new, green economy more quickly so that many of the old problems of oil demand and energy consumption can be dealt with. Investing in new technologies, and moving much more decisively to renewable energies as well as energy efficiency can create more jobs, lower energy bills and indeed saves lives as well as livelihoods.


Media Features: Di-ve, Times of Malta, Times of Malta, Malta Today, Independent, Gozo News. 

4 Environmental NGOs launch the 'Fish4Tomorrow' Campaign

Over the past few months a number of local NGOs have come together to create the Fish4Tomorrow campaign. The main aim of this campaign is to raise awareness on sustainable fishing within the local context. It also plans to provide guidelines to fish consumers helping them determine which Maltese restaurants serve sustainably caught fish. This idea is similar to the international Fish2Fork campaign (3). Also, Coalitions such as Ocean 2012 (2) which includes high profile members such as Greenpeace, Birdlife International, WWF as well as local NGOs like Nature Trust, Greenhouse and Sharklab (Malta) are on the forefront of raising awareness by campaigning for entire reforms such as the 2012 CFP Reform (Common Fisheries Policy Reform) which aims for healthy oceans and putting an end to overfishing amongst other issues. All this is done in the hope of ensuring that our oceans are preserved for us and our future generations.

Despite its large size, the ocean is not inexhaustible or exempt from the effects of human activity. Over the past decade or so the ocean has suffered irreparable damage and one of the major components is the issue of overfishing. Due to factors such as Globalisation, high levels of demand for certain species of fish have come about. Such is this demand, that governing bodies like the EU have pumped large amounts of money into companies providing them with highly sophisticated equipment and fishing vessels. This in turn has left fish with not enough time to reproduce and therefore giving the species very little chance of survival. The Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus Thynnus) is possibly one of the most high profile cases of overfishing the world is currently facing. In fact ICCAT (International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna) have assessed that there has been a strong decline in its spawning stock biomass since 1993.

Catch limits of Bluefin Tuna are currently higher than scientific advice. In 2010 this was averaged to be at 34% higher. In attempt to counteract this, a quota is set by ICCAT which determines the amount of Tuna that is allowed to be caught per year. In 2008, this was set at 28,500 tonnes and has since been reduced to 13,500 tonnes for 2010. This, scientists believe, is still not low enough to give the Tuna a fighting chance of survival. Currenty, ICCAT is facing a lot of criticism from European countries like Malta, Italy and Spain for suggesting a significant drop in the quota down to 6,000 tonnes for 2011 and has had to reconsider this decision since.


Malta is one of the countries which is on the forefront of this issue since it plays one of the most important roles in the ranching of the Tuna which comes into the Mediterranean to breed. In 2006, the MCFS estimated the Bluefin tuna production in Malta to be at 3,000 tonnes, worth around €46,000,000 (1). One of the main reasons why Tuna stocks have been depleting so rapidly is because it is so far impossible to farm the fish, it being a migratory animal. This means the tuna is caught and ranched in large amounts, fattened for 6 months and finally exported, mainly to Japan.




Greenhouse
Nature Trust (Malta)
Shark Lab (Malta)
Get Up, Stand Up


1) http://www.fao.org/fishery/countrysector/naso_malta/en
2) http://www.ocean2012.eu/OCEAN2012
3) http://www.fish2fork.com/




Media Features: Di-ve Media

Say No to Racism - Campaign

The campaign Say No To Racism is being launched today Saturday 27th November 2010. This campaign is a coalition of NGOs, students, academics, writers, lecturers, immigrants and artists who are uniting together as one voice against racism. The organisations taking part in the campaign are: Migrants’ Network for Equality, Jesuit Refugee Service (Malta), Migrants Solidarity Movement, Moviment Graffitti, General Workers’ Union, Amplify, CEER, GetUpStandUp!, Organisation for Friendship in Diversity, Kopin, Moviment Azzjoni Xellug, Salesian Pastoral Youth Service, Koperattiva Kummerc Gust, Greenhouse, Third World Group and Alternattiva Demokratika.


The main aims of this campaign are to publicly announce that racism and discrimination are illegal and have to be stopped. However, we also think that to effectively fight racism we must necessarily tackle the fears, often the result of common misconceptions, that Maltese people have in relation to migration; something which is offering a fertile breeding ground for the growth of racism in our country. The aim of this campaign is not to accuse the Maltese of being racist. We are confident that quite a lot of persons reject racism, while others act in certain ways more because of fear rather than hatred. For this reason the campaign will provide educational material on the issue of migration, which will in turn promote more respect towards migrants.

The Say No To Racism campaign will mainly work in two ways:


We will hold a variety of educational, cultural and artistic activities that will create spaces for discussion and interaction between different people. These activities will be organised by NGOs who already have contact with youth groups and other organisations. Activities coming up include: a street parade against racism in Valletta and a concert against racism. Both the activities are open to the public. Lecturers at the University will work towards the integration of issues related to diversity into the curriculum. They will also host a series of lectures on the topic. Students will hold informational activities on campus. An upcoming event part of the campaign is a photographic exhibition tilted Unframing Migration that will be exhibited for a week, starting from 6th December at the University.


We will report racist incidents in the media in order for them to be tackled by the relevant authorities. If this isn’t done effectively we will work to make racists held accountable. The presence of the Migrants Network for Equality, a network of migrant communities in Malta, is essential to the success of the campaign as they can inform us directly on what is happening to members of their communities. This will then enable us to act together in instances when persons, or groups, suffer racism.





This campaign advocates for the rights of every person who has experienced or is experiencing racism in one way or another. This includes not only African migrants, who are known to be one of the largest groups experiencing racism due to their visible difference, but also other minority groups who have been targets of discriminatory acts or attitudes.


Racism, both institutionally and socially is a prevalent problem in Malta. The atmosphere of hostility migrants feel negatively affects their well being as it is something they experience in their daily life. Experiences encountered range from the bus not stopping for black persons, being refused when trying to rent a flat, being refused work even when having adequate qualifications and racism at work. Paceville is also a venue rife with racism as most of the night clubs don’t allow entry to black persons. An unfortunate incident happened when Suleiman from Sudan was beaten to death at the doors of one of these night clubs. Under European Union law denial to public services and goods is completely illegal. Unfortunately this is not taken seriously. There have been various cases when immigrants reported racist attacks to the police and they were ignored, often with the report not being taken at all. Unfortunately, we also know of cases where police were the perpetrators of racism themselves. With this campaign we are asserting that these incidents have to stop.


To overcome a problem, one must accept that a problem exists in the first place. Too many phrases start with the words: “I’m not a racist but…” Too many times do we witness small acts of daily discrimination against people from a different ethnicity, stereotyping people due to their looks rather than accepting them as individuals. This is something faced all over the world, and it is important to confront this issue as happens in other countries.

This campaign is open to anyone who wants to join, please keep track of our activities on our website and join us in solidarity. Let the dignity of each person be a priority for all of us. Dignity can’t be upheld at the same time when there are people among us being treated unequally.

Reported on the Times of Malta

Our Countryside – Parks or Illegal Dumps?

The NGOs Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Friends of the Earth, Gaia Foundation, Greenhouse, NatureTrust and Ramblers Association are concerned that in spite of the official message being given that the countryside is being protected, in fact many areas in Malta and Gozo are increasingly coming under attack.

In Gozo, illegal dumping has been taking place at Ta' Muxi, near Qala, affecting an area of nearly 70,000m² or 60 tumuli, as can be seen on Youtube.

Most of this dumping has occurred in an area of great geological interest and scenic beauty, proposed as a geological park. MEPA itself states: “Active conservation measures are required to protect the geology and landforms of Malta as an important and irreplaceable scientific, educational, cultural, aesthetic and potentially economic resource. If irreparable damage or loss was to occur then it is our own society that would be impoverished.”

Farmers who deposit soil without a permit on fields lacking soil are subjected to the full force of MEPA regulations. At Ta' Muxi, the ongoing removal of topsoil to cover illegal dumping of construction waste on virgin land has been ignored in spite of reports.
If construction waste is used as infill on a building project, MEPA immediately clamps down. At Ta' Muxi, construction waste has been dumped illegally and systematically with no action taken against the perpetrators. Furthermore, the Ta’ Muxi quarry operators have been using an illegal road to dump abusively for years. Yet MEPA expects us to believe that its officers are keeping a watchful eye on Gozo?

While the NGOs support the steep increase on tax for rubble waste in line with the polluter pays principle, this needed to be accompanied by enforcement, as now many are dumping in the countryside to avoid tax. The NGOs ask where the Green Wardens’ priorities lie as they only seem interested in fining litterers, while ignoring heavy dumping in the countryside.

The Ta’ Muxi quarry owners have violated several of the conditions of their permit, including failure to use the alternative route as stipulated in the permit and not preventing dumping by unauthorised persons. This quarry has failed to pay the sum of Lm2000 due annually since 1998 to Qala Council to cover road and water pipe damages as a result of the quarrying.

In the face of repeated protests, until recently top MEPA authorities were insisted that the quarry owners were acting within their permit. Then, some three weeks ago Mepa backtracked and admitted that violations of permit conditions had taken place

The Ta’ Muxi quarry is now applying for the renewal of its quarry permit. According to Legal Notice 337, when processing or renewing a permit, MEPA is to consider the impact of the proposed activity on the environment and to assess the applicants’ suitability based on their track record of legality.

At Wied Għajn Zejtuna in Mellieha, MEPA’s upgrading of the scheduling of the watercourse has in fact massively reduced the size of the protected area, allowing development to encroach closer to the watercourse, endangering the ‘qabru’ (fresh-water crab) and aggravating flooding in the area.

At Bengħisa a vast area of fields, protected carobs and dry stone walls is earmarked to create warehousing for the Freeport in spite of the existence of such facilities at nearby Hal Far.

At Ħaz-Zebbug developers have abusively uprooted a great many trees without the necessary permits. In the meantime Ramla Bay and Wied il-Għasel remain imperiled due to their ongoing MEPA Appeals.

These examples of environmental neglect and mismanagement all over Malta and Gozo, culminating in the Dwejra debacle, show that MEPA lacks the will to prevent the encroachment of our countryside and the further destruction of Malta and Gozo's natural beauty. As such MEPA officials responsible for this state of affairs should be held accountable and step down.


Published on Times of Malta and Gozo News

Follow up to the PR by MEPA: Mepa acts over dumping near Qala

A Microcosm of Junk- Freshers’ Week and the Production of Waste

The following is a PR issued during Freshers Week by Greenhouse on the matter of Junk Waste being distributed by various entities.

Greenhouse, a University students’ organisation working on sustainability issues and ethical consumption, would like to express its disappointment at the large amount of waste being generated during this year’s Freshers’ Week.

Throughout this week numerous companies pack the University quadrangle to lure students to buy their products. Day after day many of these companies and other entities hand over paper leaflets to passing students, informing them of their offers, discounts or freebies and many of these papers end up littering the quadrangle. By the end of the day, the place is filled with coloured papers flying around – a show of complete waste of resources. Paper and ink is used to produce such promotional material, only to end up discarded a couple of seconds later.



The University of Malta is seeing a resurrection of green values,with various initiatives both by a number of student organisations, trying to raise the awareness on the environmental plight, and the University administration itself. It would be commendable if this wave of environmental consciousness is reflected by a more ethical and sustainable way of organising events and activities on campus, such as Freshers’ Week. Companies promoting their products during Freshers’ Week should be prohibited from distributing promotional leaflets and should be encouraged to use other, less waste-generating methods.

Greenhouse insists that companies should put the environment and resource-use at the forefront of their day-to-day management and thus should minimise the production of short-lived resources that are converted into waste very quickly.

These companies should lead by example and together with the student organisations on campus they can promote a culture of Zero Waste.

Published on: Malta Today

15 organisations and l-Ikel network against GM produce

The following is a Press Statement which Greenhouse endorsed as part of a joint letter campaign addressed to the Commissioner John Dalli over his approval of the GM potato Amflora to enter EU markets.

Health Commissioner Dalli, under the new Barroso Commission has recently (March 2nd, 2010) authorised the cultivation of a genetically modified (GM) crop in the EU for the first time since 1998. The European Commission has given the green light for the cultivation of GM potato Amflora, developed by the German chemical firm BASF, for processing into industrial starch. Only a day after this controversial decision (March 3rd, 2010), the European Commission also authorised the use of three GM maize products for food and feed, along with the growth of the Amflora GM potato for industrial use and feed.

The danger of these GMO's is that their altered genes may be incorporated in the genetic makeup of non-GMOs by mixing and there is no way of being sure that this does not happen. This mixing has been happening around the world and in fact about 6,000 rice producers have filed claims against Bayer since the US Department of Agriculture announced, back in August 2006, that trace amounts of genetically modified rice were found in the US long-grain rice stocks. Once GMOs start being cultivated there is no way of going back – it is very risky with astronomical adverse consequences.

One of these consequences is the possibility of the antibiotic resistant gene present in the Amflora potatoes entering our food chain. When we’re battling some of the most resistant pathogenic strains around, the last thing required is the threat of an antibiotic resistant gene to complicate matters. We implore you ask this question to yourself; ' Is the enhanced starch production that the Amflora potato is designed to produce worth risking the health and wellbeing of all the EU citizens?'

Evidently the majority of Europeans have asked themselves this same question because 70% of them are against the cultivation of these organisms, and many countries, including Malta, already stated that they are also against the cultivation of GMOs.

We only ask the European Commission to uphold democracy and to safeguard the interests of all European citizens and revoke the decision taken. The well-being of the people you represent should take precedence over the interest of chemical corporations.

An email action can be pursued by everyone who disagrees with the introduction GMO produce in Malta via the Friend of the Earth Malta Cyber Action link http://www.foemalta.org/home/index.php/no-to-gmos

This press release has been endorsed by the following networks and organisations:

Alternattiva Demokratika Zghazagh - Green Youth, Ager Foundation, Centre for Environmental Education and Research, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Food First Malta, Friends of the Earth, Moviment Graffiti, Greenhouse, Koperattiva Rurali Manikata, Malta Organic Agriculture Movement, Nature Trust Malta, Permaculture Research Foundation, Slow Food Malta, Youth Alive Foundation, Zminijietna – Voice of the Left and Kieku L-ikel Jitkellem Network.

Copenhagen reaction statement.

The following is the statement written by Malcolm Borg, Greenhouse representative on the Sustainability Committee of the KPS, on behalf of KSU. Needless, to say this statement was not reported by most of the media apart from Di-ve and KSU's own website.

But since we saw that Malcolm's statements highlight the main issues and matters of concern following the failed accord we thought it opportune to forward the statement to the interested public. So I suggest the readers to spare a couple of minutes to understand the complexity of what was on the table of negotiations.

KSU is concerned about the future of present generations and the future of our children and shows its concern about the current state of affairs with regards to the environmental situation in the world, would like to express its regret at the missed opportunities at COP15 at Copenhagen.

While recognizing that this can be a respectable start to a plan that can lead to a remedy to the pressing problem of climate change, we are concerned that the world has missed a very good opportunity to strike a deal. Now that time is running out, the world needs concrete action.

The world’s greatest emitters have procrastinated time and time again to reduce greenhouse gases. Having said that, we recognize that developing nations have to necessarily strive to improve the conditions of their citizens so that poverty can be eradicated even though the decoupling of economic progress with the increase in GHG emissions is a must in these times. Developed countries, with a long history of GHG emissions, should strive to fund the mitigation and adaptation of these countries-something which was recognized and tackled during the COP 15 although it is far short of what these countries and especially LDCs and SIDS really need. Important factors which held back the conference from achieving concrete results and which, we think, could have been easily resolved by a stronger commitment from developed countries include the structure through which the finances would flow, the mechanism (direct aid against carbon trading schemes) and whether these funds would be a share of development aid in which case developed countries would go back on their responsibilities especially in their assistance to achieve the MDGs.

We also commend those states that have ensured transparency in the monitoring, reporting and verification of GHG reductions. Transparency is a vital component of this complex process and must be ensured throughout the whole process. It is also a very important component in a country’s accessing funds from those made available by developed nations.

It was heartening to see that Annex I countries were ready to accept their responsibility under the Kyoto Protocol as desired by other countries which preferred the two-track approach. Although Annex I countries represent only 30% of GHG emissions, a post-2012 commitment ensures a legal commitment by some developed nations although the major emitters are not included in this annex. Thus we commend the work done under the Ad Hoc Working Group – Kyoto Protocol (AWG-KP) and the Ad Hoc Working Group - Long-term Cooperative Action (AWG-LCA) to propose an efficient two-track approach to the system.

It is a concern that Malta's legal obligations are only in place due to Malta's accession into the EU, rather than through a Parliamentary Decision as is normal practice.

We also welcome the importance given in this COP to the Reduction in Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation of Forests (REDD) program. This program will sustain the livelihoods of indigenous people (who are now protected by The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People), protect biodiversity and, contextually most importantly will reduce the GHG emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. Developed countries must make more finances available for this program’s implementation and especially to provide an alternative livelihood for those people whose income depended on activities which must now be halted to safeguard the forests. One must ensure that plantations do not replace the forests. Also, wetlands and peatlands must also be included in a similar scheme because of the great potential these two habitats have to act as carbon sinks and to mitigate the effects of climate change. The progress in Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) talks is also commendable.

KSU also welcomes the progress registered on the talks on technology and technology transfer. This is one of the most vital areas of negotiations. In order for developing countries to be able to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change, technology must be provided by the developed nations. It is of great importance that environmental safety is ensured and processes such as carbon capture and storage and ocean fertilization is thoroughly investigated especially if any such processes can be inserted under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) scheme. One should also recognize the important role that IT has in this complex scenario.

KSU suggests the consideration of the 1.5°C as a target as proposed by Alliance of Small Islands States (AOSIS) and other groups as a better and safer target than the 2°C included in the Copenhagen Accord.

One cannot help but note the lack of progress or inclusion in any agreement of vital themes such as shipping and aviation, agriculture and water.

The differentiated but common responsibility of the parties working to act on the Convention, the Kyoto Protocol and the Bali Road Map is a moral obligation of all states. Climate justice is the key for success. The deal reached at Copenhagen is especially disappointing in this regards because it is not legally binding. This makes the final agreement a close-to-failure result. The attitude adopted at the conference especially with the presentation of the Danish texts and the agreement on the Copenhagen Accord by a small group of countries leaves much to be desired. The treatment of civil society with the exclusion of NGOs at a particular stage of the negotiations together with inappropriate treatment of protestors is also condemnable.

The final deal agreed lacks substance especially because there are no legally-binding GHG reduction targets. This is endangering our own existence. The money which the developed countries were ready to offer is also weak when considering that this money will be spent to literally save the world when trillion of dollars were spent to save the economy. One can only hope for a better deal at COP 16 in Mexico next year.

Circus Animal Rights Coalition in Solidarity with Libel Victims

CIRCUS ANIMAL RIGHTS COALITION

PRESS RELEASE 13/12/09

Circus Animal Rights Coalition in Solidarity with Libel Victims

The Circus Animal Rights Coalition, would like to express its full support and solidarity with Ms. Micheline Sciberras, Director General of the Education Directorate; Ms. Moira Delia, TV Presenter and Mr. Mario Galea; Parliamentary Secretary for the Elderly and Community Care and Mr. Alex Attard, editor of In-Nazzjon who have recently been sued for libel by J.S. Productions Ltd, acting on behalf of 'Circo Fantasy' .

These libel suits have been filed against these personalities following the latter's expression in public against the use of animals in circuses due to the cruelty involved. The Coalition fully welcomes the stance taken by these actors for promoting the rights and welfare of animals, and would like to reiterate its positions that the use of animals in circuses leads to cruel and inhumane treatment due to the forced punitive and harsh training, stressful conditions caused by transportation, unsuitable living conditions and a life in captivity.

The Coalition perceives these libel suits to be a very cheap and dirty attempt on behalf Circo Fantasy and J.S. Productions to try to frighten and threaten people from voicing their concerns against animal circuses and in favour of animal rights.

The Coalition would like to thank all those who have voiced themselves against the exploitation of animals in circuses, including all these who have signed the petition and also those who have contributed to making last Thursday's symbolic protest walk demonstration such a huge success.

Mary Grace Vella

obo Circus Animal Rights Coalition

CIRCUS ANIMAL RIGHTS COALITION MEMBERS:

Moviment Graffitti, Animal Rights Group, Ananda Marga, Association for Abandoned Animals, Island Sanctuary, CETFREE, Greenhouse, Alternattiva Demokratika Żgħażagħ, SOS Animals, St. Francis D’Assisi Foundation, Nature Trust (Malta), SPCA (Malta), Ċentru Tbexbix, Stray Animal Support Group, Street Cat Rescue, Share Malta, Noah’s Arc, National Cat Society, International Animal Rescue, World Animal Conscience

Coalition reacts to statements on animal circuses

The Circus Animal Rights Coalition would like to hereby express its reactions to the statements voiced by JS Productions (the organisers of the animal circus) and from the Animal Welfare Director which were reported yesterday on the media.

The coalition states that: “Whilst acknowledging the fact as a profit making private company, JS Productions is interested solely and purely in its money making industry, rather than the rights and welfare of animals, we are deeply and particularly disappointed by the comments made by the Animal Welfare Directorate, who stated that the use of wild animals in circus does not constitute animal cruelty. The Coalition surely did not expect such a shallow interpretation of animal rights and welfare to come from the main national entity which is supposed to safeguard the welfare of animals.

It is clearly the case that Dr. Spiteri has decided to make a very shallow and mistaken comparison between the life of domestic animals, such as cats and dogs and that of wild animals which are utilised in circuses. The Circus Animal Rights Coalition would like to reiterate its position that; yes, it totally goes against the basic nature and instincts of wild animals, like tigers, elephants and alligators, to be kept for their whole lives forced to perform in circuses solely for human’s ‘entertainment’ purposes, especially since such animals are often forced to learn ‘tricks’, through punitive treatment such as electric shocks and beatings. Furthermore, the Coalition would like to reinstate that; yes, it is totally inhumane and cruel for such wild animals to have to endure such long distance travelling to the performance destination enclosed in minute containers and forced to spend their whole lives captive inside small cages. All this means that, even if the conditions inside the circus are acceptable, the fact remains that keeping wild animals captive and forced to perform in stressful situation results in psychological and physical torture leading to cruel and abusive treatment.

This issue is all the more worrying, since Circo Fantasy, the circus presently visiting Malta, has already been accused of animal cruelty in Italy, so much so, that its animals were seized by the Italian authorities after reports of animal cruelty. (follow this link: http://www.repubblica.it/2006/b/sezioni/cronaca/circo/circo/circo.htm

Furthermore the Coalition states that, “we are also deeply concerned by Dr. Spiteri’s statement that the call for the banning of such circuses by animal welfare NGOs is a double standard. In this regard, the coalition states that: “While we, as organisations which honestly care for animal welfare, through dedicating a lot of personal resources and sacrifices have nothing to gain personally from our campaign against the animal circus, those bringing this circus are doing it for money and their personal profits. Furthermore, we are highly baffled by the position taken by the Animal Welfare Directorate, especially since months ago, the Coalition had sent Dr. Spiteri an official communication delineating our main concerns on the animal circus, however not even an acknowledgement of this communication, let alone an official position was sent from his office to the Coalition.”

The coalition is also reminding the public about the symbolic demonstration for animal rights to be held on Thursday 10th December. In view of this; “The coalition is therefore urging all those who have at heart animal rights to attend the walk against animal circus to be held on Thursday. It will start at 6:00pm from City Gate, Valletta. We will then walk to Blata l-Bajda, where the circus is stationed.”

Mary Grace Vella

f/Circus Animal Rights Coalition: Moviment Graffitti Animal Rights Group, Ananda Marga, Association for Abandoned Animals, Island Sanctuary, Cetfree, Greenhouse, Alternattiva Demokratika Zaghzagh, SOS Animals, St. Francis D’Assisi Foundation, Nature Trust, SPCA (Malta), Centru Tbexbix, Stray Animal Support Group, Street Cat Rescue, Share Malta, Noah’s Arc, National Cat Society, International Animal Rescue and World Animal Conscience

Symbolic Protest - the full PR by the Circus Animal Rights Coalition

The Circus Animal Rights Coalition, made up of 20 animal rights organizations would like to express its deep disappointment and concern that JS Productions will be bringing over 'Circo Fantasy' in Malta to perform during the coming festive season. The coalition is highly dismayed by the fact that notwithstanding the public's opposition to the exploitation of animals in circuses, this same company persists year over year to make profit from this form of animal cruelty. During the last years, the Coalition’s campaign has been gathering a lot of support from the public and a good number of people, including children have signed the petition against the use of animals in show business. The Circus Animal Rights Coalition was set up to raise awareness of the fact that behind the beautiful facade of the circus lies a cruel world of untold animal suffering. Animals used in circuses are unwilling participants in a show that jeopardizes their health and psychological well-being. Circuses force animals often through painful and punitive methods to perform tricks that are contradictory to their innate instincts and behavior, which factor results in substantial injuries during performance and training. Furthermore, animals in circuses have to sustain long distance traveling to arrive to the performance destination, during which they are often kept in unsuitable and precarious conditions. The climate of the locality area may furthermore be unsuitable for their natural temperament in such a way that they sustain undue suffering. These factors continue to exacerbate the already stressful conditions caused by confinement and transportation. Even if conditions were improved and humane methods of training were used, the fact is that keeping wild animals in captivity deprives animals of much of what they value in life. The animals have to live in an environment drastically different from their natural habitat, and their spirits are broken from harsh training and from not being able to fulfill some of their most basic needs and instincts. In view of the above mentioned reasons, we are asking the relevant authorities to refrain from allowing this circus from performing in Malta, particularly in view of the fact that 'Circo Fantasy' in 2006 has been found guilty by the Italian authorities of not conforming with animal welfare regulations. In view of this case of animal cruelty, the Italian Authorities had issued an order asking for the seizure of the performing circus animals from 'Circo Fantasy'. More information on this case, can be accessed through the following weblink: http://www.repubblica.it/2006/b/sezioni/cronaca/circo/circo/circo.html A well deserved word of praise goes to the Director General, Directorate for Educational Services, for issuing a nationwide circular to schools asking them not to visit animal shows such as circuses and dolphinariums during school hours. The Coalition fully supports this move in view of the fact that such shows can actually be of a disservice to children’s development and are often disguised as an “educational” activity. We also hope that other entities such as Church Schools and Private Schools, Local Councils, Clubs, companies and all workplaces make an educated decision when considering organizing group activities supporting these cruel shows. Instead, we urge all to look into the many other possible activities which can be both environmentally and animal friendly – such as nature walks, visits to organic farms and animal sanctuaries and any of the many cultural activities available during the Christmas season. During the next few days the Coalition will be present in Valletta in a bid to intensify its campaign towards creating awareness on the inherent cruelty of using animals for entertainment. The Coalition will also be holding a Walk for Animal Rights and Against Animal Circuses as a symbolic protest to the presence of 'Circo Fantasy'. The Circus Animal Rights Coalition invites all those who love animals to join in this symbolic walk on 10th December starting at 6pm from City Gate Valletta and proceeding on foot towards the circus area in Blata l-Bajda. Annalise Falzon obo Circus Animal Rights Coalition Tel: 7947 2950

CIRCUS ANIMAL RIGHTS COALITION MEMBERS:

Moviment Graffitti, Animal Rights Group, Ananda Marga, Association for Abandoned Animals, Island Sanctuary, CETFREE, Greenhouse, Alternattiva Demokratika Żgħażagħ, SOS Animals, St. Francis D’Assisi Foundation, Nature Trust (Malta), SPCA (Malta), Ċentru Tbexbix, Stray Animal Support Group, Street Cat Rescue, Share Malta, Noah’s Arc, National Cat Society, International Animal Rescue, World Animal Conscience

The aim of the Coalition is to make people aware of the various forms of cruelty involved in shows, such as animal circuses:

· the cruelty of living in captivity

· the cruelty of being subjected to constant transportation between one show and another

· the cruelty of having to undergo a lifetime of training while being subjected to unnatural and uncomfortable situations

· the cruelty of being forced to perform

· the cruelty of the stressful conditions before, during and after shows

Facebook group : http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=152447782391&ref=ts
Event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=186107088411&ref=nf

Other useful links

http://www.circuses.com/pdfs/circus_booklet.pdf
www.cetfree.org

Media Source:

Times of Malta