Many might think that Malta’s children lag behind on environmental awareness, but an activity held at the Valletta Waterfront in conjunction with all EU member states showed that this was far from the truth.
“You Control Climate Change” is the title of a new awareness raising campaign that the European Commission launched yesterday. This campaign challenges individuals to make small changes to their daily routine in order to achieve significant reductions of greenhouse gas emissions.
The launch of the campaign went down a treat with 100 children from different primary schools around Malta taking part in an animated presentation by TV presenter Marie Briguglio and Xummiemu, who was undoubtedly the star of the show. The kids were even quizzed by the presenter and Xummiemu and knew most of the answers, scoring better perhaps, than some of the adults present.
The launch was also attended by the head of the European Commission’s Representation in Malta, Joanna Drake, and Rural Affairs and Environment Minister George Pullicino.
As in other EU countries, the Malta campaign was launched with the unveiling of a huge banner showing the Earth in the universe, with a thermostat attached to it measuring its rising temperature. “You Control Climate Change,” reads the title. “Turn down, switch off, recycle, walk” is the motto.
It was announced yesterday that the second phase of the campaign will take place in early autumn when secondary school children will be making a pledge to take practical steps to reduce the CO2 emissions through making small changes in their daily behaviour. Over 300 children are expected to take part in this campaign. A series of educational spots on climate change is also to be transmitted on one of the local television stations. The campaign also includes the launch of a new website http://www.climatechange.eu.com, which offers a wealth of practical and easy-to-do tips on how to reduce emissions.
Households in the EU are responsible for some 16 per cent of the EU’s total greenhouse gas emissions, most of which comes from the production and use of energy.
Practical advice included in the campaign website includes avoiding the stand-by mode of TV sets, stereos and computers, saving 10 per cent of the energy they use and printing on both sides of each sheet of paper. The website also includes a carbon calculator which calculates the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) saved by each action, and a downloadable power-saving screen saver for computers. In the coming months the campaign will also target secondary school pupils, who will be encouraged to sign a pledge to reduce their CO2 emissions and track their efforts.
Per head and year, each EU citizen is responsible for 11 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, mainly CO2. Most of the greenhouse gas emissions in the EU are caused by the production and use of energy (61 per cent) followed by transport (21 per cent), both of which use fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) that release emissions of CO2 when burnt.
Dr Drake said: “For the European Commission, action against climate change is a priority. Climate change poses a major threat to the stability and prosperity of our societies. Over the last century, the average temperature increased by 0.6ºC globally, and by almost 1ºC in Europe.”
She continued: “The ice caps are melting, sea levels are rising, and the number of storms, droughts and floods is increasing, with more dire consequences to come in the coming decades. Many people tend to feel helpless in the face of this threat. Or they believe that their actions do not matter, not knowing that households and private car use are directly responsible for more than 25 per cent of EU greenhouse gas emissions.”
She said that this campaign was aimed at motivating individuals across the EU to join the fight against climate change, and show that their contributions are crucially important.
Also present for the launch of the campaign were the several ambassadors from EU member countries, the Valletta mayor, and representatives from Malta’s leading environmental organisations.