Meet the team:

• Chairperson: Kris Bajada
• Vice-Chairperson: Tania Buttigieg
• Secretary-General: Michaela Pia Camilleri
• Public Relations Officer: Miguel Azzopardi
• Treasurer: Kevin Vella Zammit
• Communications Officer: Andrew Izzo Clarke
• Education Officer: Isabel Mallia
• Video Content Creator: Stephen Grech
• Creative Officer: Zosia Stelmaszezyk
• Campaign Officer: Krizia Testa
• Events Officer: Mariella Challis
• Artistic Director: Lana Berty Spiteri
• Social Policy Officer: Anna Mercedes Fava

The Third Eye got in touch with the current Chairperson, Kris Bajada, to get his thoughts on the new and previous term.

I would like to thank the newly elected executive committee of Extinction Rebellion Malta for putting their faith in me to once again be re-elected as Chairperson.

I feel privileged and honoured to be working with some of the most enthusiastic and dedicated individuals. I know together we will make Extinction Rebellion Malta bigger, better, and stronger than ever before!

I would like to thank the outgoing Executive for their tireless work, while being keen to embark on this new journey with this newly elected executive.

Kris Bajada, Extinction Rebellion Malta Chairperson

Bajada invites anyone who is eager to make a change in our society to become a member of the XR subcommittee by contacting them on either Facebook, Instagram or on extinctionorrebellion@gmail.com.

The Third Eye wishes the best of luck to the new team and looks forward to continue working with this ever-growing organisation!

The post Kris Bajada to lead Extinction Rebellion Malta for 21/22 appeared first on The Third Eye.

Written by Miguel Azzopardi and Krizia Testa

Major concerns have been brought up regarding the roadworks currently occurring on ODZ land in Dingli. The roadworks exceed the area specified in the 2006 Local Plan, going beyond the ODZ line. Therefore, according to the Planning Authority, the works require a permit. However, this has not been hung up on-site and has not been provided by Infrastructure Malta when repeatedly requested by activists and Dingli residents. In fact, over 200 residents signed a petition objecting to the works, which not only endanger several 300-year-old carob trees but also threaten a medieval church from the 1400s.

The Salesians of Don Bosco, who own part of the ODZ land being lost to the roadworks, have publicly stated that they were left uninformed of the works on their land, right up until the diggers appeared on site. Their property is still in the process of being expropriated and the compensation due has never been discussed and not yet received. Other landowners have also shared similar experiences during the latest press release.

The local council’s approval of the project has also been dogged by conflicts of interest. Three Dingli councillors backed the ODZ road works, including Dingli’s deputy mayor. Given that the deputy mayor and one of the councillors work with the Infrastructure Ministry, and another councillor heads an Infrastructure Malta unit, we feel that the councillors in question should have recused themselves from the vote, considering the potential bias and conflict of interest. Several residents have also voiced their concerns that this road project may be a prelude for further development on ODZ land – their concerns being supported by the fact that the road leads to nowhere. This follows a well-worn pattern of infrastructural projects designed to accommodate the interests of developers and the construction industry, such as the recent roundabout in Burmarrad, as well as the roadworks in Fomm ir-Riħ, leading to the Malta Developers’ Association head Sandro Chetchuti’s property. 

All government projects should thoroughly consider the needs of local communities and the environment, as well as proceed according to standard procedures and regulations. No credible reason for building the road has been provided and regular procedures have not been adhered to, raising concerns of abuse of power. We, therefore, stand strongly in objection to these roadworks in Dingli and support Moviment Graffiti’s actions in objection to it. The major concerns surrounding the project have not been adequately addressed by Infrastructure Malta and we feel that a proper dialogue should be established between the interested parties: residents, activists and Infrastructure Malta. Dialogue and transparency are a fundamental part of the democratic process and the authorities are duty-bound to uphold this commitment.

Check out XR’s previous article here!

The post Extinction Rebellion Malta’s response to the Dingli Roadwork’s Project appeared first on The Third Eye.

Written by Miguel Azzopardi

The coronavirus pandemic has once more laid bare the inequalities, injustices, and failings inherent of our economic system. Economic and health policies were, on the whole, designed to benefit the people who already have significant wealth, power, and influence. But what if we could redesign our economic foundations so that there was no need for a choice between economic stability and health? Most importantly, what if we could do that and introduce a better, fairer, society along the way?

This is one of the goals of the degrowth – or post-growth – movement (misleading name, I know) – a set of ideas that seek to create a society where economic growth is not necessary for economic and social stability and prosperity.

First emerging in the 1970s out of concern for an increase in resource use…

…it developed into a broad range of concerns surrounding the current economic system. At this point in time, scientific research began to point out the physical limitations of growth-orientated economic policy: Earth’s resources are finite and eventually will cease to exist if consumption continues to rapidly expand. This was later compounded by research that showed that economic growth in rich countries did not lead to a meaningful increase in wellbeing. These countries tend to already meet their population’s material needs enough to guarantee a good living standard.

Recent studies have also shown a lack of evidence in order to support the idea that greenhouse gas emissions can be efficiently decoupled from GDP growth.

Hence, among degrowth’s core ideals lie greater individual autonomy and a common societal approach. Resources are shared, individuals have more leisure time for care and for other self-sustaining work they wish to do, and wealth and power are fairly distributed. In doing so, we would also be provoking a healthier relationship with nature.

It also continues a critique of development theory with proponents arguing that enforced development of the Global South is nothing more than another form of colonialism. In this critique, companies from the Global North exploit resources in the Global South to support their own economies. This has significant implications for economies seeking to become carbon neutral, as it also identifies how emissions, while perhaps reduced on a national scale, may continue to increase internationally if countries keep pursuing policies in virtue of economic growth.

The question is: How are we to transition towards a post-growth or degrowth society?

There are a number of proposals and so, many potential ways of achieving this. The first would be to instate a universal basic income or job guarantee complimented by a maximum income. This would ensure that individuals are able to support themselves and that we do not have people needlessly accumulating wealth which they would re-invest in ways that may potentially enforce abuse on society. This also ought to be complemented by measures that would reduce working time therefore allowing people to dedicate more time to care work and other activities they consider valuable, enhancing their autonomy. This would also create more jobs as tasks are then split between each worker, rather than seeking the exploitation of each individual.

Another approach would be to bring the government directly to the people through forms of direct democracy. In Malta, this would mean giving significant powers to local councils and seeing the creation of citizens’ assemblies. This would allow people to have an active role in making decisions that directly affect them – instead of relegating these to appointed officials.

A third approach would be to reform the banking sector and monetary policy. This would involve the removal of interest rates from loans and instating different currencies depending on the type of product being sold. Alternative currencies can help make sure that the monetary value of products sold reflects any embedded social and environmental costs, with different types of products having different currencies. On the other hand, removing interest rates and public ownership of the banking sector would make sure that money is being used to improve public, rather than private, assets.

This touches on another aim of degrowth and post-growth thought –  the restoration of commons (i.e. public assets). In this framework, public assets like Miżieb and Aħrax are administered by a commission made up of ordinary people chosen by sortition as well as interested parties. Public assets that were privatised, like Fort Chambray and Manoel Island, should be returned to the public. Likewise, private property should not be considered as an inalienable right, but rather a form of guardianship.

As countries are still experimenting with some of these proposals – some of which have not been thoroughly experimented with – it’s evident that there is no set way of creating a society that is not reliant on growth. However, a combination of different strategies will be needed.

Many countries have started to acknowledge the need to move towards post-growth societies, if only implicitly so. 

Back in 2018, the governments of Scotland, New Zealand and Iceland announced that well-being would become an integral part of public policy and hence, formed the Well-being Economy Governments partnership. Likewise, earlier this year, Amsterdam announced it would be reconsidering its economic priorities using the ‘doughnut’ economic model – a model devised by Oxford economist Kate Raworth which places societal and ecological well-being at its centre.

In Malta, we have yet to make any similar acknowledgement. As recently as August, the government announced economic growth and carbon-neutrality among the pillars of economic policy. Few have acknowledged that carbon-neutrality and economic growth are mutually exclusive and that the ability for growth to enhance our well-being is now seriously in doubt. Acknowledging the transition ahead ought to be an important first step.

With the twin crises of the rapidly accelerating climate breakdown and the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to create societies that are not reliant on growth is more necessary than ever. In moving towards a post-growth society, we can create a fairer society that acts in harmony with the natural world.

Check out Extinction Rebellion’s previous article!

The post Moving Towards A Post-Growth Society In Malta | XR appeared first on The Third Eye.

Written by Sara Marston

Malta is certainly no stranger to controversial agreements, especially to those that take place surreptitiously. What happened on the 9th of October 2020, is a testament to this.

Ignoring the public’s cries, four ministers from Robert Abela’s cabinet – namely Ian Borg, Aaron Farrugia, Chris Agius, and Clint Camilleri – signed an agreement that sees the Lands Authority handing over the two biggest Maltese wooded areas to the FKNK hunting fraternity, i.e. Federazzjoni Kaccaturi Nassaba Konservazzjonisti.

When suggested earlier on in the year, this same proposal was strongly opposed by several environmental and cultural NGOs that firmly recognised that placing Malta’s biggest woodlands under the management of the hunting lobby that’s been the source of controversy for years would be a colossal environmental injustice. This is why the initial release of the news immediately provoked extensive outrage. The deal lacked transparency and it became apparent that Mizieb and Ahrax, the two woodlands in question which happen to be five times larger than Buskett, were about to be exchanged for the mere price of two hundred euros each. And for what, you might ask? The one thing that all power-hungry individuals revere. Political gain. 

As the public, we felt, and still feel betrayed – and rightfully so.

FKNK has full jurisdiction over which areas of Mizieb and Ahrax, two supposedly public green areas I might add, are accessible to the public during hunting season. This means that we are to be restricted access six and a half months out of the entire year. FKNK also has the authority to decide which areas are designated as picnic areas. In a public statement, FKNK expressed in a predictable manner that nothing will change, but here’s the simple math: If we are only allowed to enter Mizieb and Ahrax five months and a half out of twelve and when doing so, be restricted to as much as three, small designated picnic areas, then no, nothing will be the same.

Why weren’t the Mellieha and St.Paul’s Bay local councils approached about this agreement long before it was to be signed? This is not the action of a democratic country. By not being fully transparent with the local councils, as well as the residents residing in these localities, the authorities involved in the making of this agreement shouldn’t be so surprised by the backlash they have received since the news was made public. They must have shivered at the thought of herds of angry people gathering and protesting as they signed away our environment as though it’s a toy that could be bought. The simple fact that the signing was moved up by two days and took place behind closed doors, against our knowledge and away from the media’s gaze, proves that we are right.

FKNK has illegally claimed Miżieb and Ahrax as their hunting grounds for years.

Now they need to claim so no more as these two woodlands were officially gifted to them to be their legal hunting ground all-year-round. It is as if though the Government flicked a switch and so easily forgot of FKNK’s illegalities over the years: how they have illegally shot down protected birds, how they have restricted access to the public before, how they rarely properly dispose of shotgun cartridges, leaving them to accumulate, and how they have set up signs and structures without legal permits.

They have continuously and indirectly expressed their dismissal for the natural environment. If this has been the case all along, there is no guarantee that anything will be different this time round. There is no assurance that the biggest green areas in Malta – and Malta isn’t exactly brimming with green – are in safe and secure hands.

Last year, 180,000 square metres of the Miżieb woodlands were engulfed by fires, and thousands of trees were destroyed. Miżieb consists of several Aleppo Pines which are intermixed with invasive alien species, making them highly flammable. If FKNK does not implement concrete management regulations, there is reason to believe that not only will these fires become more frequent due to loose regulations, but more protected birds will likely be shot down.

It has not stopped them before, and there is certainly nothing stopping them now. 

The Maltese environment as well as our cultural heritage have been incessantly disrespected and abused. Public land ought to stay public – for the enjoyment of all. No amount of money or votes will ever equate in importance to our environment.

Daphne Caruana Galizia once said, “where environmental damage is greatest, so is corruption”. It’s time for everyone to heed these words. The fight is far from over.

The post The fate of green areas in Malta | XR appeared first on The Third Eye.

Above are only a few of the countless international headlines that my eyes have traversed across painfully these last few months. Painfully as evidently this is not news we have not encountered time and time again. Yet, as prominent as news regarding our changing climate is, people in power especially still refuse to see the real danger that rests behind the climate crisis, its urgency felt at different extremes around the world.  It is either that they do not wish to believe the science which clearly states that anthropogenic factors have accelerated climate change, or they do not wish to face the truth – that a future on this planet looks bleak and uncertain if we do not implement a green transition, fast.

Malta is not immune to climate change, or to political irresponsibility for that matter. As the crisis worsens – and it will – we have a lot to lose as a small island in the Mediterranean Sea and we do not have the luxury to believe otherwise. The climate crisis topic has been brought up many times in conversations I’ve had with different people and a large percentage of the time I receive a similar response: We cannot do anything, the government will do whatever it wishes to anyways.

This is exceedingly problematic. They have pushed forth their agenda, no matter the consequences that will or might arise, and we have sat idly by. We have recognised our politicians’ lack of willingness to act and have accepted it as it is, in turn feeding climate inaction. How do we expect our politicians to do better if we do not force them to?  Local emissions were slightly deducted during the ongoing pandemic due to the reduction of cars on the road. Some will say that this is a step forward, and yes, it is, but it does not mean that we have done our part in tackling climate change. A complete reduction in the use of carbon-emitting vehicles is merely one resolution amid a resolution pool.

The widening of roads to ‘reduce’ traffic, the Malta-Gozo tunnel which will supposedly make things easier, the Central Link project which has disrupted farmers’ livelihoods and saw the cruel chop of copious mature trees, the construction of apartments on ODZ land. These projects are doing anything but helping the public. They are trampling over natural carbon sinks, which are indispensable, and essentially placing money into the pockets of the power-hungry. We have heard word from our Prime Ministers regarding the introduction of electric cars and greener transport, word of the introduction of carbon-neutral strategies, word of greater investment in renewable energy, and so on and so forth. A climate emergency was even declared by parliament last year. Yet, we are yet to see any change being implemented. Talk is cheap, but action is priceless.

You may or may not have heard of Extinction Rebellion, a non-partisan global movement, present in over 72 countries including Malta, which is using non-violent acts of civil disobedience forcing governments to declare and act on the global climate emergency. With bold demands, such as achieving net-zero emissions by 2025, and several resilient values and principles that allow the movement to justly bring about systemic change, Extinction Rebellion has earned global attention – and rightfully so.

Following a brief pause at the beginning of the year due to COVID-19, Extinction Rebellion Malta introduced an August campaign in which members took to the steps of Castille in a series of sit-ins to bring awareness to the government’s lack of action. Respecting COVID-19 restrictions, the sit-ins provided a platform on which we could voice our priorities to the public, some of which include carbon neutrality, curtailing unsustainable development and endorsing urban greening, promoting green transport initiatives, and greater investment in renewable energy. These demands are only a few of the many, as the main aim remains to not only change one facet of but the entire system.

As Extinction Rebellion Malta, we have done our part in supporting the XR global movement, not only in bringing awareness to the global climate emergency but also to local climate inaction and unjust environmental degradation. There is very little to no time left and that is why our work as a movement is of great importance.  Tactics such as lobbying or voting – though of immense significance – have not brought about the necessary changes. We must believe in an active democracy. That is why Extinction Rebellion has stepped forth with a different and impactful approach, and we will not stop until significant change is brought about. 

The post An Open Letter to the Authorities about Climate Change | XR appeared first on The Third Eye.