There Once was an Island Called Malta Wednesday, April 18, 2007

The Times of Malta has a great piece on the threat of global warming to that country. Apparently the Maltese are think they're too small a country to make a difference, and the author is calling for this attitude to change:

Only last week there was an article in this paper saying that southern Europe is going to become a desert. That includes us too I suppose... or doesn't it? I have not come across any study as to how precisely Malta will be affected by global warming. Nor have I heard of a plan to become more eco-friendly. The chimneys of both the power station and St Luke's Hospital, among others, belch forth their noxious fumes periodically. We are still totally dependent on the burning of fossil fuels to obtain the energy we need to provide electricity and water at the lowest level and to the propelling of the thousands upon thousands of cars to ply us back and forth across the couple of miles from one destination to the next. Nobody has opened their mouth about using an alternative source of energy, notably harnessing the wind and capturing the sun, both of which we are abundantly blessed with. Not a squeak from any official quarter.

Are we under the impression that we are exempt? We seem to imagine that we live a charmed life and that the woes that affect other nations will never affect us. We will probably let other nations take appropriate action to stem the devastating tide that is the consequences of global warming while pretending that we in Malta are too small to do anything significant and will in time-honoured fashion carry on regardless, till... till that fateful day when it will all go pear-shaped... when we will shriek and lament as another town or village is engulfed by the sea while we choke with thirst.

This is not a Jeremiad lament but a warning. God helps those who help themselves and the battle to stem climate change and minimise the effects of global warming must become our national top priority before it is too late. Malta, in its smallness, with a little help from our large and powerful EU neighbours, can become a prototype, a shining example of which way the world should go in future to save the planet.

—Times of Malta, There once was an island called Malta

Alarmist? Maybe. But I think it's only human nature to put off that which does not immediately impact us. And sure, even in Malta, it may be a hundred years before there's any real impact of the sort he's describing, but the point is that we need to start making changes now, lest our children inherit an even greater calamity.

Climate Change Hits Malta Thursday, April 05, 2007

According to a recent BBC report, parts of Malta are in danger of being submerged, thanks to the melting of the polar ice caps and rising sea levels caused by global warming. And while it isn't happening yet, there are other complications arising from climate change that are affecting the island nation in more immediate ways. For example, the change in sea level is affecting Malta's fresh water supply.

About 97m (320ft) beneath the surface of the island lie the Ta' Kandja galleries. Reached by a lift, the tunnels stretch out for several kilometres like the spokes of a wheel, all half filled with water that is pumped up to the surface and then to homes and farms around the island.

The water in the tunnels is fresh. But just 10m below it is salty. And thanks to climate change the brackish water is rising.

The Ta' Kandja galleries supply fresh water to the inhabitants And the Malta water services engineer Paul Micallef says the rising sea will make the galleries very difficult to operate in the future.

...

The effects of the increasing salinity are already being felt in some parts of the island. In the beautiful Im'selliet valley; David and Mary Mallia run an organic farm that produces grapes, citrus fruits and vegetables.

Like many people on Malta, the Mallias use a bore hole to extract water for their crops. David says that he's noticed changes in the water in recent months.

"Since the rainfall has become less, the salinity is becoming higher and higher. Normally in winter it would be about 2,000 microsiemens, which is a measure of salinity.

"This year, with the lack of rain, it went up to 4,000. It's not good for irrigation. If you water your trees with this water it will kill them"

—BBC, "Briny future for vulnerable Malta"

The EU is recommending that immediate action be taken to counteract the effect that mankind is having on his environment. And the US is still debating whether to do anything at all.

Pictures from Malta Thursday, October 05, 2006

For those who are interested, you can see pictures from my trip to Malta here.

Across from the Mosta Dome Wednesday, September 13, 2006

I'm writing this post from a cafe across from the Santa Marija church in Mosta, Malta, known here as the Mosta Dome. Supposedly the third largest dome in Europe (behind the Pantheon and St. Peter's in Rome), the church is truly impressive, and I'm about to go inside to see the artwork done by local artist Giuseppe Cali and see the bomb that fell through the roof during World War II.

It's been a full day: I saw the Dingli Cliffs (the highest point in Malta) and the Blue Grotto — a magnificent azure cove on the southern coast of the island. But the highlight was seeing Hagar Qim, neolithic temples and the oldest free-standing structure in the world, built around 3500 B.C., and Mnajdra, a second temple complex built around 3000 B.C.

I am leaving Malta tomorrow. Be well.

Hello from Paceville Sunday, September 10, 2006

I'm in the nightlife capital of Malta, Paceville, but it's rather dead, being a Sunday in the middle of one of the most Catholic countries in the world. My little brother and I got acquainted with a certain wormood concoction last night (my third taste, but his first) and the little bastard ended up with a split lip, a cut hand and nearly a broken arm from a Maltese mosh pit. Never did I think the words "Maltese mosh pit" would ever be committed to print, but there it is.

We attended a celebration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in Zabbara, and I was simply awestruck. The cathedral's interior was decorated with silver tower candles, gorgeous crystal chandeliers, and beautiful paintings. Outside, the church was covered in lights and there was a thunder of fireworks all around as they carried an enormous silver statue of the Madonna around the square, packed cheek-by-jowl with worshippers.

When I return, I will post my photos. You can expect them on Friday in lieu of a game. I know, I've been lax the past few weeks with finding new games, but I promise to rectify that once I'm settled in my new job. Take care all!