New Yorkers Are Breathing In Toxic Air. So Are You, And Your Maltese Taxes Are Funding It
New York City is facing a Blade Runner apocalypse as Canadian wildfires turn the city’s skies from milky white to orange smog.
This week, New Yorkers are exposed to extreme levels of pollution – five times above the national air quality standard.
Everyone suffers in this catastrophic climate event – particularly already vulnerable groups in New York suffering from breathing problems.
Malta is unlikely to suffer the overpass of wildfire smoke thanks to its relative isolation in the Mediterranean – however, our bad air is coming from within the house.
The islands’ has some of the worst air pollution in the European Union, and is killing five people every single day.
Malta's air quality is below European average
The country also has a particularly high rate of respiratory illnesses, with around 15% suffering from such diseases while roughly 1.5% live with a severe condition. When it comes to chronic asthma there are roughly five new cases per day.
And besides being a massive public health issue, it comes with a financial burden too. According to 2013 figures, the government coughs up around €1.8 million to deal with asthma cases, whether that’s through consultants or medication.
Malta’s endless appetite for construction and cars is contributing to less-than-ideal air quality, particularly for those living in central, closed areas and construction hot spots.
Fresh research has even shown that the majority of those who visit Mater Dei for asthma-related reasons live in the Northern harbour areas, places where you can’t not hear the noise of two or more construction sites at one time:
These regions include Gżira, Msida, Pembroke, Pietà, San Ġiljan, San Ġwann, Sliema, Swieqi, Ta’ Xbiex, Birkirkara, Ħamrun, Qormi, and Santa Venera.
Gozitans are the least likely to go a hospital due to asthma. It’s not surprising that Gozo looks like the last green frontier for hungry construction kingpins, who are already steaming ahead with unneeded environmental destruction that costs taxpayers millions.
The effects are not just the ugliness that new tarmac roads bring, but a loss to the islands’ already scant greenery for pollutive cars, a loss of carbon dioxide absorbing trees, a loss of shade under the glaring sun, a loss for you, I and every generation ahead.
The New York City air crisis is yet another deadly upshot of the climate crisis. And while we know we need a global, ambitious and immediate response, the work begins at home.
Malta doesn’t deal with wildfires, but the greed of a few on the backs of the many is affecting our pockets, our lungs and our rights.
Let’s fight for Malta and our right to clean air.
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