In the noisy times we live in – with political foes yelling on television, with cars, motorbikes, construction trucks and cranes jamming and rumbling through our streets, with smartphones chirping all around us – I think we all deserve a little peace and quiet -- who  doesn't?

Nowadays, however, it is increasingly difficult, even in beautiful surroundings such as Imtahleb, Gnejna, il-Kuncizzjoni, Wardija, and other public gardens and parks, to escape the sounds of vehicles, construction trucks, motorbikes, voices and so on, because noise pollution in this tiny island of ours is getting worse.

Unfortunately, efforts to regulate noise have never been taken seriously in this country as some other environmental causes have been. They sometimes have lost steam or been met with strong opposition from industry and construction groups.

There must be some places where I can go to have a few minutes of peace and silence and escape the cacophony of this so-called 'modern world'. Some place where I can only hear the soft hum of insects, the rustle of leaves and the beautiful music of the birds – and NOT the never-ending noise of some truck with the sound of its motor growing louder by the minute!

 

Jos Edmond Zarb

Birkirkara