Late last year, the government announced that, in the first quarter of 2005, so-called green wardens would be employed with specific duties to safeguard the environment.

The government also plans to increase the fines related to littering, the disposal of waste in a way that harms the environment and dumping of objects in open areas.

Put together, the wardens and the increase in fines ought to give Malta a cleaner look. It is evident that, in spite of the campaigns that have been launched over many years, we are still living in a dirty country.

We have often said – but repeating these facts seems to have little effect on our behaviour – that beyond our doorstep is, for many people, “not ours”. Many people think that public places are areas where we can throw our cigarette packets, tissues, empty containers and what not on the ground.

Others believe that fields or other uninhabited areas are there for them to dispose of their broken fridges, sofas and cars. Some even take bigger risks by doing away with their unwanted items on pavements in inhabited areas.

Last year, someone disposed of a whole bedroom on a pavement in Marsa. Some might have thought this funny, but if we really think about this, it is something that should make us feel ashamed.

We only seem to learn if our pockets are touched. It

happened when traffic wardens were introduced. We all remember the fuss we all created when tickets for illegal parking, seat belt and mobile phone infringements and overspeeding were issued by the hundreds.

The breaking of traffic regulations is still rampant, but it must be admitted that the presence of wardens in the streets have helped bring about more discipline on our roads. This is largely because drivers, generally speaking, are more careful, mostly because fines became tougher and more

frequent.

Nobody likes to pay fines, especially when this becomes a regular occurrence. Nobody likes to have to go to a local council office to pay the fine or, if he or she thinks they have a chance of getting away with it, waste an afternoon at a local tribunal, and many times having to pay the fine anyway.

The same will hopefully happen when environment wardens are employed in the near future. People will think twice – or even more – before they drive their vehicle to a nearby field to dispose of their unwanted material. Apart from the heavy fine that could be inflicted, the vehicle they use to carry their rubbish could be confiscated.

What is important is that, when the fines are increased and when the environment wardens are employed, the regulations governing the safeguarding of the environment are enforced. And enforced well, we would add.

What is also essential is that, if offenders are brought to book, the authorities publicise the matter as much as possible, as this could serve as a deterrent to others who might have similar ideas.

The media must play its part in this exercise. This is not a partisan matter. It is a national issue which must be tackled in unison. We must all pull the same rope in this respect.

The safeguarding of the environment should not be a political football. We may argue over the ways and means by which this goal can be achieved, but on the whole we must all agree that the environment in which we all live must be protected – for ourselves and for future generations.