From Mr M. Desira

I do not believe politics is either the final word or even a decisive factor in world history. However, one cannot dispute its relative importance. In the context of the forthcoming election, there is one vital factor which has, to date, been left out.

My appeal is for all voters to vote for a multiparty coalition – a Parliament composed of a pro-environment ruling party, a Green Party member entrusted with the environment and a pro-environment Opposition. Voters of all shades must analyse the track record and/or green ideology of each candidate – of whatever hue and whatever party – and vote accordingly. We must eliminate from Parliament anyone who approves of animal cruelty (including hunting) and politicians who prioritise money and economics over the environment. We must vote for all candidates in all parties who are actively in favour of drastic pro environmental measures.

By this I mean, for example, enough talk of nonsensical percentages of renewable energy sources; we should be aiming for very high (50 per cent or more) renewable energy. Is a solar heater and windmill on practically every rooftop such a big challenge?

Because if it is, much larger and scary scenarios await us.

This time we are not voting for just Malta… we must vote to tackle climate change. Assuming a status quo on global environmental degradation, Malta must face desertification, more extreme weather, more extreme temperatures (with the resultant energy consumption), the emergence of local subtropical diseases and related health issues, the threat of worldwide food shortages and famine, the blow dealt to worldwide economy, comparable to the 1930s depression, and last but not least, rising sea levels that will effectively reduce the physical size of these islands.

Regrettably, this is the least we can expect. There are far worse scenarios possible if massive solar activity, comets, massive unprecedented-scale earthquakes, as well as geopolitical turmoil such as the Middle East upset the status quo.

This election we need to ensure we have a Green national unity government to tackle climate change, an issue that certainly dwarfs the Great Sieges in magnitude and importance. If we fail, we may end up as climate refugees, leaving behind all we aspired and worked for. Think about it!

Scientists have already miscalculated the time span of events, such as melting of the ice caps and it may happen again. Disasters may be just round the corner, much sooner than we think. Our one rational option is to think globally and vote locally!

Mario Desira

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