Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1501361
13 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 14 JUNE 2023 OPINION PROTECTING and restoring our environment is not a choice. It is essential for both our physical and mental wellbeing. This holds true not only for our generation but also for those who will follow. We have a role to play to stop the degradation, the loss of our natu- ral and agricultural land, the harm to ecosystems and to do our part in the fight against the climate emergency - yes, we are one of the smallest countries on the planet, but that does not exclude us from challenging ourselves to be ambi- tious in our efforts. I have always said that working to protect our environment is far away from the buzzwords we hear on the topic. It is not simply the aesthetics. It is not the fantas- tic speeches written by talented speechwriters excelling in mar- keting, and it is neither the pho- tos taken by politicians in front of a beautiful tree while uproot- ing others. If we want to work for our natural environment: the protection and restoration of eco- systems, pursuing a zero-pollution ambition, enhancing the natural capacity, increasing protected are- as rather than descheduling them; then we must move away from the greenwashing and focus on what matters, actions not words, even if this comes at a cost. Albeit no mean feat, what needs to be done is very clear. However, it won't be done. This won't hap- pen not because it is challenging to do, but because the core of our problem does not lie in our envi- ronment policies or environment legislation, but with the state of our democracy. Before those who want to grab soundbites start salivating like they would in front of the best of dishes while famished, I believe that Rob- ert Abela, together with the help of Jonathan Attard, has managed to strengthen our democracy, our institutions and our rule of law. Look at where the Prime Minister took off on the situation of our de- mocracy just three years ago. Have we arrived to where we ought to be? Not yet, there is so much more to do and it is on this that we really need to work if we want stop the degradation of our environment. Firstly, we need electoral reform coupled with an amendment of our Constitution that deals with the structure and functioning of our legislative and executive. The current state of affairs will lead more people to be alienated from our political system. Today, not everyone's voice can be represented and those who know that their voice would not be represented have simply giv- en up from participating in the electoral process. The current threshold for any party (individ- ual candidate cause of the single transferable vote system) stands at 17% minimum, in one district. To further deepen the challenge, with candidate preferential voting in a thirteen-district system, those elected need to focus a lot of their energy (not to say most) on their individual constituents in their own districts, rather than focusing on getting their ministerial or par- liamentary job done. And for those of us in the big po- litical parties that might be afraid of a huge decline in our support in future elections because of a wid- er choice of parties, believe in the principles that guide us, as well as the human and other resources we have in order to adapt to changing realities. If we believe that what we stand for is not what inspires peo- ple, our challenge is not a different electoral system but the credibility to bring the needed change. Secondly, the infamous party financing situation in Malta. Po- litical parties are essential to a democracy and these must be fi- nanced. The cost should be borne by the State using an agreed for- mula based on election results, while supporting the entry into the playing field to those who as- pire to found new parties, by giv- ing them visibility through the Broadcasting Authority. If one thinks that the cost on the State is a burden, they're not realising that the cost to citizens, our communi- ty, the environment and our rights is much bigger when leaving those who are most wealthy finance our political parties. Thirdly, we need to enshrine in our laws the right to a healthy en- vironment. This has indirectly al- ready been done through ratifica- tion in the Maltese Parliament of the Aarhus Convention on 2002. The convention clearly states that it "protects every person's right to live in a healthy environment". It further giver citizens the tools to access information, participate in decision-making and have access to justice if a healthy environment is put at risk. Ratification of the convention was commendable, having said that, for an effective policy, this should be enshrined in primary law. This week I was disgusted to see the return of George Pullicino. The Minister who changed Mal- ta's local plans in 2006, which is raping our natural and agricultural land that surround our towns and villages. Coincidentally, he was the architect engaged by the big contractors to represent them at the Planning Authority to change these green open spaces into mon- strous apartments last Wednes- day. Would you believe the au- dacity? First they bought pieces of land that were considered to be in outside of development zones, then the local plans change and hey presto, he's representing them years later in-front of the Planning Authority board. Can't anyone see the conflict in interest? After all these years, it might not fall under the definition of a case of revolving doors but everyone has eyes to see and brains to realise how unethi- cal that is. Politicians (current or former) cozying up to big business with the excuse of having the right to work. Yes, everyone has the right to work but one can't have to whole cake and eat it. Involvement in politics has its repercussions on our personal lives and we must live up to higher standards than these. I wonder where else George Pullicino is working? In the Environment Committee of the European Parliament, we will next week be voting on a land- mark law - the first ever Nature Restoration Law. Being the only Maltese in the committee, citizens can rest assured that I will be vot- ing in favour of this historic law and support all amendments that make it more ambitious. While protecting and restoring ecosystems the law will also delve into the realities of our urban areas across the European Union. This is where I have some hope that if the European Parliament pushes hard enough in negotiations, there could be some changes coming our way. The current draft of the law states that natural and agricul- tural land, in and around towns, would not be able to be built after 2030. And if any such land is taken away from its natural or agricul- tural state as it was in 2021, a land of the same size would then need to be restored into its natural state. As things stand, the biggest stum- bling block to this law currently is the European People's party. If it goes through Parliament, then it would be the Member States in Council that would try to water it down. Sometimes we might feel dis- heartened or helpless. We might feel that the powers that be are too big for us to stand against. I'm a firm believer in people power. That when even the most weak within society unite together to bring change, that change is at- tainable. The future of our health, cause that is what the environ- ment is, is too important not to fight for - I have always said things as they were and I will not do oth- erwise today. Fighting for environment: it's a fight for our democracy Cyrus Engerer Cyrus Engerer is a Labour MEP (S&D) The Planning Authority's Executive Council has unanimously approved the development of 11,590sq.m plot of farmland in the Nigret area in Zurrieq