Clear message to go green

The 'green agenda' ought to and must take over the 'economic agenda'.

Back in the 1980s, the colour green was a statement by a particular sub culture. Just like in the 1960s the then ‘flower power’ sub culture represented a revolution in the lifestyle of young people, ‘going green’ underlined a particular lifestyle of those who sought to live close to Mother Earth.

By the dawn of the new millennium, ‘going green’ took a more profound interpretation. It came to be understood as our responsibility towards Mother Earth. From a niche culture mentality, it flourished into mainstream thinking.

As environmental awareness grew and faced with a long list of incidents of devastation inflicted by mankind, a green wave of consciousness spread. New political parties and pressure groups emerged, advocating the need to respect Mother Earth from further man-made destruction.

Established parties came to realise the importance to include within their political agenda eco-friendly measures, safeguarding nature, promoting sustainable development and introducing ‘green policies’. The latest to join this chorus is Pope Francis with his new encyclical, Laudato Sì.

Malta is not an exception. Thanks to all those who never lose sight of what counts, the environment is now top of our agenda. Our citizens are becoming more aware of our responsibility towards our Motherland. The recent spring hunting referendum results and the latest ‘mega projects’ have consolidated this green consciousness. Citizens from across the political divide are finding a common ground. The recent formation of Front Ħarsien ODZ is a clear example.

Safeguarding our open spaces from further overdevelopment is an investment to current and future generations.

The recent national outburst has confirmed that environmental issues are becoming our main concern.

In this overpopulated island of ours, we are becoming more conscious of the importance to ensure we enjoy our open spaces, to ‘stretch our feet’ and breathe fresh air. In an island that is already overdeveloped by inferior quality development and mediocre architecture, the majority of people are becoming more conscious of the need of having sustainable development. Citizens are becoming convinced that the ‘green agenda’ ought to and must take over the ‘economic agenda’. The mantra that economic growth comes only from more mega developments is not convincing any more. Civil society is increasingly realising that those who promote such developments are interested solely in enriching themselves.

Last Saturday’s manifestation was a loud and clear message to both present and future policymakers. In this regard, it was reassuring to read the recent declaration by Simon Busuttil. He declared that the Nationalist Party, while learning from its past mistakes, has to work with other stakeholders to safeguard the remaining outside development zones.

This was a bold statement by the party leader. It was also a clear direction that any future PN administration will promote sustainable development.

Those who have ‘ears to hear’ understood the message. It was a clear admission and clear direction. The PN needs rediscover its roots as a centre-left party in which reverence to the cosmos and safeguarding the creation are central themes. Only by truly ‘going green’ will we redeem our party. Unfortunately, since the PN has some credibility tests to face, such declarations need to be backed with a firm written commitment that once the party is returned to serve the country, it would honour this declaration to the letter.

Although some might point out that words are cheap, I firmly hold that integrity, honesty and consistency in politics are paramount for good governance. Unfortunately, the Labour Party is showing that all electoral environmental commitments pledged prior to last election were only an electoral scam and cheap talk. What it used to criticise and chasten previous Nationalist administrations (sometimes rightly so) for, has come back full circle with Labour performing abysmally in this regard over the past two years.

Active citizens and all politicians who hold dear our environment need to come together. Safeguarding our environment goes beyond partisan politics. By ‘going green’ we will safeguard our and our children’s future.

Together we stand. Together we fall.

(This article was published on The Sunday Times of Malta – 27 June, 2015)