For people who care about Malta’s environment, the last month has been environmental horror story after horror story. From the speedy removal of the Balzan trees, to the removal of the trees in Santa Lucija, to a controversial plan to remove 200 trees near Rabat, it has seemed like a nonstop barrage of bad news – and that’s just on the topic of trees.

In response to all of this and more, a group of environmental NGOs and voluntary organisations are holding a Demonstration for Malta’s Demonstration today at 6pm at City Gate in Valletta that looks set to attract hundreds of people.

“We believe piecemeal projects such as the Kappara Junction, Marsa Junction, and the Central Link Project, are not providing transparent, sustainable solutions to the transport situation in Malta. These projects have a major impact on our health and environment through the removal of trees and the uptake of agricultural land,” said Din L-Art Ħelwa, one of the organisations involved in the demonstration.

“We demand that priority is given by the Government to the well-being and health of our communities. Public money needs to be invested in reducing pollution, increasing nature and greenery in urban areas and sustaining quality of life. Our vision is for a future which promotes and safeguards human well-being and protects the natural processes that support biodiversity, to ensure we can look forward to a liveable, healthy, safe and equitable future for our community,” they continued.

The group, along with at least 13 other organisations, have put forward 6 demands ahead of today’s demonstration

1. The Maltese community’s well-being needs to come before anything else

Especially if the government is going to be changing or destroying Malta’s scarce environmental resources.

2. We need an integrated, holistic approach to planning

An approach based on sustainability and that lets the public have their say.

3. Roads need to be designed around the needs of people

And not cars.

4. A strategic plan for the development of Malta’s infrastructure needs to be created

Malta cannot approach each project individually, but consider the country as a whole.

5. Mature trees should be cherished

Especially in high-traffic areas – let’s face it, Malta just doesn’t have that many green areas to deal with all that pollution.

6. Malta’s agricultural land should be valued and protected

Once it’s ruined and it’s gone, it won’t be coming back.

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Johnathan Cilia

Johnathan is an award-winning Maltese journalist interested in social justice, politics, minority issues, music and food. Follow him at @supreofficialmt on Instagram, and send him news, food and music stories at [email protected]