Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1523374
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 30 JUNE 2024 5 ALMANAC Nature Notebook 925. Aleppo Pine THE Aleppo Pine (M. żnuber) is a lovely, bright-green foliaged ever- green tree. It is popularly grown in gardens, afforestation areas and along roads. Despite its name, nobody brought it over from Syria, it's quite native here. Before human arrival, Aleppo pines probably grew wild and thick in several parts of the islands, the summer air thick with its resinous fragrance. But people came, chopped down all the woodland and no original pines remain today – the last pos- sibly wild tree, a magnificent centuries-old specimen at L-Imġiebaħ, was set on fire and destroyed in 2009. At BirdLife Malta's Foresta 2000 woodland, several thousand young pines were planted and are slowly growing to maturity and in places are even regenerating nat- urally. Yes, wild pines are growing again in Malta. With a little help from their friends Lack of public participation in Malta's MECP process Friends of the Earth Malta (FoEM) expresses its serious concerns re- garding the lack of participation for citizens and civil society in the draft and final National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) of Malta. These plans are an obligation on EU Member States to outline how they intend to address decarbonisation, energy efficiency, energy security and the internal energy market, as well as research, innovation and competitive- ness in the energy sector, to meet the European Union 2030 targets for energy and climate. The deadline for governments to submit their final NECP is 30 June 2024, in just 9 days. Victor Falzon www.birdlifemalta.org Green idea of the week 794 Read more about the the issue here: https://foemalta.org/press-releases/necp-pr/ Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as information about how to join us. You can also support us by sending us a donation – www.foemalta.org/donate Don't miss this Symphonic Rhythms 6 June Place: Robert Samut Hall, The MPO presents a chamber orchestra program led by Michael Laus, celebrating Classical era aesthetics. Britten's Sinfonietta Op. 1 blends neoclassical styles with modernist influences, showcasing his early talent. Stravinsky's Danses Concertantes merges dance elements with fiery orchestral music. Haydn's Symphony No. 89, reflects his mastery with distinctive elegant orchestration. Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member Almost Legal Alien • Standup Comedy • Open Air Terrace Dinner 12 July Place: Marilu's, Pjazza San Nikola Libyan Arab stand-up Mustafa Algiyadi – **** (The Voice) – longs to be part of the European way of life but is confronted with some cultural differences that make it confusing, chaotic and sometimes highly inappropriate! If you're up for picking apart bad habits, religion, meditation, velvet sofas and for learning how to deal with annoying people, then why are you not booking your ticket already. A GOOD WEEK Good Week/Bad Week A BAD WEEK Singers, supermodels and sports stars descended on Paris as Vogue World took over a city square and turned it into a runway. The fashion magazine turned the historic Place Vendôme into a catwalk to celebrate 100 years of French fashion. The Summer Solstice Festival was due to take place in Left Field, Weeley in Essex last weekend, but was called off by Tendring District Council days before it was meant to go ahead. A folk music festival at the same location was also cancelled. A different sport was used as a backdrop for each decade of fashion from the 1920s to the present day - a month before the capital city hosts the Olympic Games. James Kingston, spokesperson for event organisers FUMP, said the cancellation had cost the firm £25,000.