As our islands embrace a much wider society, with different nationalities and cultures, we also import a wider variety of opinions and behaviour. This is contributing to more awareness around us of the current topics and issues facing the world, humanity and the environment today. Left to our own partisan and tribal platforms, the progress may have occurred anyway but probably it would have been at a slower pace.
Of course, there is a common theme with globalization and social media which goes viral and freedom of information which ties all together.
Take the issue of plastics in the sea and the environment. Sky TV (UK) did a whole coverage of the topic and it had a huge impact on audiences and led to a change in behavior amongst many consumers and suppliers as we were able to see the devastating effect that this is having on marine and coastal life.
If a similar programme were to be done about the impact of hunting of birds, especially the protected species, I am sure that many more people would become aware of the harm that is caused, not just to the birds but to nature and the world we know. Maybe there would be those who realise the futility of the medieval hobby and appreciate that just as we do not have jousting tournaments with horses and javelins anymore, so too, hunting is now out of date with modern times and knowledge. Like an appendix, we can very well survive without it.
The constant sharing of sentiments against the mindless construction taking place in our streets, towns and countryside is always gaining in strength. More and more people are saying No and taking action to protest and come together to oppose the destruction of our heritage and culture.
Groups are formed and money for court action is raised from crowd-funding and there are more and more self-less people who commit to do what it will take to try to make a difference. Even, for example, retired professionals, such as architects are donating a lot of their time and expertise to object to the PA (Planning Authority) and the permits issued. Also lawyers and council members or even ordinary citizens, with families. Many NGOs are also at the forefront of the battle.
The momentum is gathering pace and hardly a day goes by that some issue, building application, report on killing of protected birds, or human story is not highlighted. Stories too, of persons who are living in sub-standard accommodation or who do not have a home. The plight of immigrants or workers imported on a definite contract whose conditions are doubtful. And the determination and courage of persons we know, who have dedicated themselves to keeping the memorial for Daphne Caruana Galizia alive and those who continue to ask for justice and an enquiry into her assassination.
There is also the plight of the elderly who cannot find a place in a residential care home and are now being bullied to sell their house as they have become surrounded by 6 or 7 storey blocks.
Voters too are looking at the position of their politicians on the matter of abortion. This playing around to be cool or to distract people from what is happening around them and the corruption on a massive scale, by stoking false support for abortion, is to be rejected.
People have woken up and are starting to reach the limit of their tolerance. It is now a matter of our health, sanity and good life. The Gozo University Group last week came out against the Gozo tunnel and affirmed that their members are no longer in favour of it and would recommend a fourth ferry and a fast ferry to solve the commuting issue.
Unfortunately, the St. Patrick’s Day partying in St Julian’s was a short-sighted event which ruins the trust that has been building amongst youth and social responsibility. Collecting 15 tonnes of rubbish, from a single event showed that we still have to look deeper to becoming aware of our behavior. Unfortunately, knowing that someone was coming to clean up after them did not help. Perhaps if the 15 tonnes of rubbish had been left there for them to make their way through the next day, maybe the suppliers and the consumers would realise what had taken place. As it was, the fact that cleaning took place immediately and the rubbish removed, shows that the issue is important but no lesson has been learnt. Can society continue to sanction such pollution? Is there no boundary to our hedonism? Is pleasure our sole goal in life? An event like this, without any cultural reference whatsoever to our country or faith, is simply hedonistic. It is equal to the shooting of birds as an expired mentality. Were it to have some context or be held in the confines of licenced bars, it would be their prerogative but to burden the rest of society with 15 tonnes of rubbish and noise and other pollution, is idiotic. Alternatively, could it somehow be linked to a positive message of re-cycling or anti-pollution? In that case, maybe some good can come of it. It should become natural that any organized event has a parallel element of social and environmental care.
In the normal course of affairs, though, the pressure is mounting on the government to set aside their antiquated politics and come into the 21st century. Sooner or later, the bubble will burst and those who sold their house will still be waiting for payment, with packed boxes around them and rent to pay for their accommodation whilst their new penthouse or duplex is still to be built or stuck in a konvenju (promise of sale). Options will simply fail to attract new buyers and the environment will be ruined in a way that people will not be able to take anymore (we are probably already at this stage). Traffic solutions will become imperative, as a 25 minute crawl from Sliema to St. Julians, St Julians to St Andrews or Mellieha to Xemxija will no longer be sustainable. Cruise liners belching pollution in our sea and air is also costing us lives.
Similarly, the Government’s Ministries should start to listen to the ever-increasing protest against abuse and corruption and clean up their act. What century do they think we are living in? Feudal lords, king of the castle with peasants and donkeys. Robbing the purse of the highway traveler. Its pathetic. Can anyone really believe that this government has been good for Malta? That this corruption has not dragged us back to the dark days of the 70’s or worse? I am sure more long-term beneficial industries could have been created to generate a good economy for the island, without having to forsake our land and our self-respect and kept our good name in the international community and the European Union.
We could have been leaders in the production of alternative energy, in good governance and with a healthy economy too, certainly a more equal one.
The time is now to try and recuperate and become good citizens who have a care about their future and the future of our planet. If the government does not come to their senses and correct their direction and governance, they will have missed an essential and existential change taking place and may find themselves back in the opposition, Delia or no Delia.