We are experiencing phenomenal price increases that have possibly overshadowed any recollection of price hikes in our collective memory and the discussion regarding the challenges we face is just starting to pick up steam. The relentless increase in the price of energy and food seems to be without respite. Unfortunately, these pressures are starting to be evident themselves in our utility bills, prices of fuel at the petrol pump and, last but not least, in the steady rise in our shopping bills. This scenario is being repeated in varying degrees across the whole of Europe and beyond. All one has to do is watch the world news and witness the frustrations of industrialists, unions, workers and households as they grapple with these events. The so-called market forces and another hundred economic theories are bandied about in order to define this extremely uncomfortable situation. Some point fingers at supply and others at demand. To make matters worse, few experts predict that sanity will be restored in the immediate future. One has yet to see anyone bullish enough to predict otherwise. It seems we are resigned to fatalism. Suspiciously, one also detects a wish that all this will eventually go away. People in the know have told me that this, unfortunately, is unlikely to happen soon. Hence it would make more sense to face up to these realities sooner rather than later.
Malta is no stranger to these events. We import almost all our goods from abroad, hence the effects of the prices increases will fast become a reality. I believe the government is doing its share to stem or rather cushion part of this blow. This has been demonstrated in the latest increase of the infamous electricity surcharge and the accompanying subsidies. The government has been wise to maintain the capping for our industrial sector. This should protect the jobs and livelihoods of many of us.
The government quite rightly continues to support all those families who are not in a position to absorb these rises. This is fair and a fundamental principle of our social conscience. It is also true that the State must be vigilant. We must be sure that help is given to those who are in need. One also appreciates that waiving these price increases is a delicate matter and I hope this is being done with due care and diligence. Furthermore, our corporations must exercise restraint in their operations and strive to be as efficient as possible without undue waste of resources.
As for the rest of us, we should all go the extra mile to conserve and make intelligent use of our energy needs. We must be careful in our use of water and limit the waste of this precious asset that is costing our country dearly to produce. This should also apply to our electricity needs. More use of energy-saving appliances is one clear example. Furthermore, we could make more intelligent use of our cars. I feel we have a very limited notion of how we use our cars and the costs we incur to use them on a daily basis.
The fact that this is now a global conversation should raise our awareness further to the implications that may lie ahead. As in all challenges, we must come together to face up to these realities. One sincerely hopes this issue will not become a political game.
A small effort from each and every one of us could take us a long way.