Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/646116
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 28 FEBRUARY 2016 39 Environment JOHN PAUL CAUCHI NOISE by definition is unwanted sound, or as the dictionary defines it "a sound, especially one that is loud or unpleasant or that causes disturbance". Recently, it has been a topic of increasing discussion in Malta, with controversies such as the Palumbo shipyard and Senglea residents bringing it to the fore. Of course, we are all familiar with noise – it is rampant in the Maltese Islands. This of course is the inevi- table outcome of living in one of the most densely populated countries in the world, with chronic traffic problems and, I daresay, a Mediter- ranean temperament conducive to noise. A study carried out last year by the World Health Organisation in Europe found that Malta was the noisiest place to live in the EU, with noisy areas extending to around 90% of the entire area of Malta and Gozo, as compared to 50% in other member states. Malta is considered a case of extreme noise pollution by the European Environment Agen- cy. Noise, unfortunately, is also one of the most difficult pollutants to measure as regards to its health ef- fects. This is because noise effects not only changes according to its quality and frequency, but also in terms of its location. This makes decibel levels (dB – a measure of the strength of noise) only a par- tial solution to finding its effect on health. For example – 50 dB is around the noise level of a normal conversation. In a busy street, such a conversation would go unnoticed. However, if that conversation takes place in a quiet library, one might get a few angry murderous looks. This concept is called per- ception. Indeed, one of the main problems with the Palumbo Ship- yard case is that while decibel lev- els may be on the low side, at night, during sleep, they might be heard to such a degree that it disturbs sleep, greatly damaging the sleep hygiene and health of residents. However, how can one prove such a subjec- tive effect? That is the real chal- lenge in this case. The negative health effects of noise are well known. Sleep distur- bance, irritation, stress levels. Noise is also known to increase the risk of heart attacks and stroke. Noise has also been associated with an in- crease in the risk of mental health problems. In children, it has also been associated with a lower aca- demic achievement due to distur- bance and stress. Long-term, noise not only therefore leads to a lower quality of life, but also is a risk to our health, and our livelihoods. The Palumbo shipyard case could therefore be a watershed moment, and the government's recent offer to mediate dialogue between the residents in the area and the com- pany is to be lauded. One cannot but sympathise with the residents in this regard, especially as the im- pact is measurable and is negatively affecting their quality of life. While some may say that most of the resi- dents know that they're living in an industrial area, the fact is that the character of the Three Cities has changed, and what was acceptable years ago, is no longer acceptable in an EU country. The regeneration underway in Cottonera demands far better standards than this. It is up to government to help the company find means of mitigating the noise and harmful emissions generated by their activity, possibly through MEPA. Palumbo Malta Shipyard Ltd. should be encouraged to exercise their corporate social responsibil- ity, rather than resorting to threat- ening actions against the Senglea residents. Noise is a threat to public health, it is time to start investing in quiet as a public good. John Paul Cauchi is a board mem- ber of Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar The study also reveals that the three multinational enterprises, which supply over 50 percent of all the orange juice used by major bottling companies, are in a near-monopoly position and they are strongly suspected to operate as a cartel. Market mechanisms currently described as unfair trade practices cause social and workers' rights violations, as well as long-lasting environmental damage. In this context, the ongoing destruction of nature is an important social problem, specifically to the disadvantaged segments of the population who have no means to substitute lost natural capital. For example, for people living in poverty it is not possible to substitute polluted drinking water by purchasing clean water; a phenomenon which has led to natural capital being coined the 'GDP of the poor'. As a result, the study appeals to raise awareness about an unjust social system by promoting the Supply Cha!nge campaign. The main goal of Supply Cha!nge, in which Friends of the Earth Malta is involved, is to make supermarket store brands fairer and more sustainable. Signing the petition with the title Stop the squeeze out – Make Orange Juice Fair! could be a first step in the direction of decreasing harmful impacts of a production system on people and environment. A look at the breeding map of the greenfinch (M: verdun) shows solid colour across Europe all the way down to North Africa. Yet here we only see this chunky green sparrow-like bird on migration and the reason is not the urban sprawl (though this certainly doesn't help matters). A satellite view of Malta shows up several thousand oblong trapping sites pock-marking the countryside like a disease, mostly concentrated around the coast. These hideous contraptions attract tired birds flying in from the sea, lured by caged decoy birds and electronic callers: an estimated 30,000 greenfinches are caught in these traps every year. What is more, bird trapping was supposed to be outlawed in Malta since 2009, as in the rest of the EU. But a few thousand medieval- minded Maltese men who think they have a divine right to catch greenfinches and other songbirds keep getting their way. So while all around us enjoy the wheezy calls of the greenfinch all year round, our trees lie silent. And we are expected to suck it up and like it. GREEN IDEA OF THE WEEK 398: SIGN THE PETITION: Stop the squeeze out – Make Orange Juice Fair! – www.foemalta.org/links/orange Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as for information about how to join us. You can also support us by sending us a donation - www.foemalta.org/donate Text Victor Falzon Photo Denis Cachia 495. GREENFINCH Noise is known to increase the risk of heart attacks and stroke, and has also been associated with an increase in the risk of mental health problems Noise annoys Part 2 – Orange juice and its impact on people and environment (continued)