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maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER 2014 7 News Survey shows mounting concern on urban degradation PN slams government for ignoring stench complaints JAMES DEBONO CONCERN in Malta on "urban problems", such as a lack of green spaces and traffic jams, has gone up by 16 points since 2011, a, EU-wide Eurobarometer survey shows. Concern on urban problems has emerged as the second highest Mal- tese environmental concern, after air quality, in what could be seen as a reflection of mounting unease on the toll taken by over development on the urban fabric. The survey shows that while only 23% of respondents in all EU 28 countries express a concern on "ur- ban problems", concern on these problems rises to 46% in Malta. This make the Maltese the most likely among EU 28 citizens to men- tion urban problems as one of their main environmental anxieties. In this survey, which included 500 Maltese residents, respondents were asked to list five environmental problems on which they were con- cerned. The top environmental concern of the Maltese remains air quality, a concern mentioned by 65% of Mal- tese, up from 54% in 2011. Concern on air quality remains higher than in most of Europe, with the Maltese being the fourth most likely to mention it as a main prob- lem. While 56% of all EU respondents mentioned air quality as a main con- cern, 65% mentioned it in Malta. The third most mentioned envi- ronmental problem in Malta is the growing amount of waste (45%) fol- lowed by water pollution (40%) and the impact of chemicals on health (35%). 30% expressed a concern on the shortage of drinking water while 26% expressed concern on the use of pesticides and fertilisers in agri- culture. Only 17% expressed concern on the extinction of species and their habitats, a concern expressed by 26% of Europeans. The Maltese are the least con- cerned in Europe about depletion of natural resources (15%) and con- sumption habits (14%). The survey shows that 81% claim that they have separated their waste in the past month but only 36% have reduced waste by avoid- ing over-packaged goods, Only 29% compared to 33% of all EU respondents, regard the reduc- tion of waste through smarter pur- chases as one of the measures one can take in daily life to protect the environment. Surveys showing air quality as the main concern of the Maltese were ref lected in the emphasis on this is- sue in the Labour Party's electoral campaign at the expense of other issues, such as over-development. But the growing concern on prob- lems created by over-development, such as lack of open green spaces and traffic jams may have an im- pact on future political dynamics. Studies published after the sur- vey was conducted show that major property developments in Sliema and St Julian's are bound to exac- erbate traffic problems in these areas. Results showing that only 17% consider issues related to biodiver- sity as a main concern could also have a bearing on the government's policies on hunting. Mounting concern on urban deg- radation coupled with low concern on biodiversity may also make land reclamation a more attractive op- tion for the government. But with 40% showing concern on water pol- lution despite the clean status en- joyed by Malta's surrounding seas, the controlled dumping of construc- tion waste in the sea may result in greater concern on this issue. THE Nationalist Party has criti- cised the government for not ex- plaining the cause of a foul stench at the Sant'Antnin plant in Wied il-Ghajn over the past few weeks, despite complaints by residents. "Is the door to the room where waste is processed being left open?" Charlo Bonnici, PN spokesman for the environment, asked. "Is it because refuse-derived fuel is being left in the plant for longer than it is supposed to be, with the added danger of it going up in flames? Is it because grey rubbish bags are being allowed to accu- mulate at the plant? Is it because specially trained and experienced workers have been transferred away from the plant? Is it because a di- gestion tank has been left open for repairs? "Can the government tell us what the plant's operating hours are? Is the committee that the previous Nationalist administration set up to monitor stenches in the plant still meeting?" Bonnici asked. Bonnici asked the government how many inspections by officials of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority have taken place since March 2013, when the Labour Party won the general elec- tions. He also challenged the govern- ment to give a month-by-month re- port of how much energy has been generated from organic waste since March last year. Maltese most likely in EU 28 to mention "urban problems", such as lack of green spaces and traffic jams, in Europe-wide survey PN environment spokesman Charlo Bonnici

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