A new Nationalist Government will ensure that the environmental deficit in the country is bridged, in a fashion which will give the same results as when the PN addressed and solved the budget deficit.

The message was given when the Prime Minister was taking part in a live television programme presented by Claudette Pace and held in Zebbug.

Ms Pace remarked that she thought that there were more people than there were last week and that there also seemed to be more enthusiasm. Dr Gonzi said that he was grateful for the support and said that the people’s enthusiasm was filling the Nationalist Party with confidence and courage.

Dr Gonzi pointed out that four years ago, the government decided to switch to low sulphur fuel oil to be used in power stations, although it is more expensive. In fact, it costs about Lm7 million more per year.

This, however, is not enough, and as a result the government had taken a decision to install filtration systems on the power station chimney at an added cost of Lm2 million per year.

Ms Axisa said that on a personal level, one could cut emissions by keeping on top of car servicing, using bio diesel and car pooling. Dr Vella Bardon said that the government needed to enforce anti-animal cruelty laws, but that the people of Malta and Gozo needed to change their attitude and not simply abandon pets.

Dr Gonzi reminded that e5 million had already been spent on extracting harmful gasses from Maghtab and that another e30 million was being spent to turn the whole area into a national park. He also said that a total of e300 million are earmarked out of EU funds to be channeled into improving the environment.

However, he said, we need to educate children from a young age to ensure that they cherish, treasure and sustain this environment that we have. He also mentioned the programme to distribute five energy saving bulbs to each household for two years, which will lead to savings of e100 per batch issued.

Dr Gonzi said that a culture change was needed to move towards alternative energy production in a bid to improve the environment, hence incentives are being offered to install photovoltaic systems and solar paneling. The government is also in discussions with foreign entities in a bid to find technology which will allow for offshore wind farms.

He also reiterated that he was taking over the Malta Environment and Planning Authority in order to bridge the gap between safeguarding the environment and sustainable

development.