Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/770367
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 8 JANUARY 2017 This Week 33 WHAT'S ON Its elegance has graced countless romantic cards, paintings and Argus posters, no wonder we all recognise a swan. Children's tales like The Ugly Duckling and fond memories of visits to places like San Anton Gardens endeared the bird to us since childhood. To us in Malta these birds look exotic and indeed swans are rare here, as they are not really birds of these latitudes, preferring cooler regions farther north. We also lack the rivers, canals and extensive lakes these large water birds love. But small and irregular flocks of mute swans (M: ċinju) do sometimes venture our way in winter, usually during exceptionally cold snaps up in mainland Europe. The wonderful flock of adults and juvenile birds that wowed the crowds at Marsalforn over the past week were one such rare sight. If they are still in the area and you intend to visit, please keep a quiet and respectful distance so as not to stress the exhausted birds. GREEN IDEA OF THE WEEK 442: RECYCLE GLASS: Recycled glass reduces related air pollution by 20 percent and related water pollution by 50 percent. If it isn't recycled it can take a million years to decompose. 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 Aron Tanti 539. MUTE SWAN Tax havens and financing climate action Globally every year up to $600 billion dollars of government revenue is lost through tax avoidance through havens, to say nothing of tax evasion. Friends of the Earth International calculates that government revenue lost to tax havens over a 15 year period could power Africa, Latin America and much of Asia with 100% renewable energy. Put another way, government revenue lost through tax havens could power half the world with 100% renewable energy by 2030. This would bring renewable energy to millions, while protecting the environment from dirty fossil fuels and the climate change they cause. It is a gross injustice that the world's richest multinational corporations and individuals do not pay their fair share of tax. The practice of wealthy corporations and individuals hiding their profits abroad in tax havens, denies governments of vast sums of money that could be used to fund education, health and renewable energy. The next 10 to 15 years are critical to prevent the most dangerous effects of climate change. The Paris Climate Agreement while paying lip service to ambitious temperature targets completely fails to deliver the scale of action needed to stop the climate crisis. In addition, one fifth of the world's population lacks access to electricity and all the development benefits that energy access brings. We urgently need an Energy Revolution. The extra investment to power half the world with 100% renewable energy is on average $507 billion per year over a 15 year period. This is well below the estimates for annual tax revenue lost through tax havens globally. The money that could finance it exists, but it is hidden away for the benefit of the world's elites. Governments need to act immediately at both national and international levels in order to stop tax avoidance and evasion. And, while these figures are illustrative rather than as prescriptive – part of the resources freed up for national governments as tax revenue could and should be used to fund renewable energy. JANUARY 22 RSC in Cinema: The Tempest Live transmission of the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of William Shakespeare's The Tempest at Spazju Kreattiv, St James Cavalier, Valletta at 19:30. Starring Simon Russel Beale and directed by Gregory Doran. In a unique partnership with Intel, the most advanced technology will be adopted into a bold reimagining of Shakespeare's magical play. Bookings: http://bit.ly/2ht7MmE. MISCELLANEOUS JANUARY 18 A Poet in Strada Stretta: Ruzar Briffa Evening dedicated to Maltese poet Ruzar Briffa at Strait Street, Valletta at 20:00, organised by Strada Stretta Concept under the artistic direction of Giuseppe Schembri Bonaci. Featuring a number of participants who will be reading poems from the collection of Briffa, including the poem, 'Vjolin Marid' where a direct reference to Strada Stretta (Triq il-Baħrin) is made. Participants include: Giuseppe Schembri Bonaci, Victoria Pisani, Jesmond Sharples, Adrian Grima, Rita Saliba, Victor Fenech, Joe Borg and Emel Hasanoglu. The event is being held in collaboration with the Akkademja tal-Malti, L-Għaqda tal-Malti – Università and the Maltese Department - University of Malta. JANUARY 20-22 Malta Global Game Jam Annual video-game creation challenge at the Institute of Digital Games, University of Malta at 14:00. Participants will be challenged to create a board or video game in 48 hours. The Global Game Jam® (GGJ) is the world's largest game jam event (game creation) taking place around the world at physical locations. Bookings and more information: http:// maltagamejam.com/. Last chance to see: Puss in Boots at the Manoel Theatre Cellist Sébastien Hurtaud will be performing at the Manoel Theatre