Latest Entries
We’ve got Rubble Trouble on our Hands!
submitted
by St. Margaret's College Girls' Secondary School Zejtun : Erika Gatt for
11-14
dissemination(s): assemblies, Notice boards and social media, other, school magazine, school media, website
filed under
Photos
Urbanisation has become one of the major elements for loss of habitats in our environment. This is because construction waste has become an issue in places like Malta. Before July 2003, 80% of waste came from construction sites so it was decided that all construction waste should be transferred to landfills or unused quarries. This not only saved habitats but also helped in the reclamation of land. A construction site in Marsascala makes you think if this theory has been put into practice.
Save the Sea Turtles
submitted
by St.Benedict College Girls' Secondary School Tarxien : Ann Marie Magri for
11-14
dissemination(s): newspaper, other, school media, Special School Assembly Celebrate Earth Hour, website
filed under
Photos
These photographs were taken during a Turtle Release activity held last November in the Blue Flag beach of Paradise Bay Hotel at Cirkewwa, Malta. These turtles were found injured by fishermen. Fishing hooks and nylon were found in their mouth and internal organs. Plastic bags are also a threat to turtles as they mistake them for their favourite food, jelly fish. The injured turtles were given the necessary medical treatment and rehabilitation before release. As a young reporter for the environment, I strongly recommend that a public campaign should be launched to increase awareness about the consequences of marine debris on sea creatures. Moreover, the general public, especially fishermen, should immediately contact Nature Trust’s Wildlife Rescue Team when finding injured sea turtles.

Chadwich Lakes in the Mud
submitted
by St. Margaret College Boys Secondary Verdala : Kyle Farrugia, Kyran Camilleri for
11-14
dissemination(s): newspaper
filed under
Photos
On visiting Chadwick Lakes I got struck by green patches of muddy water on both lake banks with lots of litter coming afloat. Unfortunately people visiting the lakes leave lots of rubbish behind especially on Sunday walks and after picnics. Most of the toxic waste contains extra nutrients that go down to the bottom of the lake. Once these extra nutrients dissolve in water, they serve as fertilizers and make tiny plants called algae grow. Then on summer these algae grow drastically making the lake water look green and turn the lake into muddy water. Also soil fertilizers that derive from nearby fields within the lakes catchment area are ending up in the freshwater of Chadwick lakes. On contacting the Local Council, I recommended more work with landowners to reduce the use of fertilisers in their fields and making them aware of extra nutrients causing muddy water in our lakes.

Pollution Free Harbour
submitted
by St. Margaret College Boys Secondary Verdala : Jake Cauchi, Logan Formosa for
11-14
dissemination(s): newspaper
filed under
Photos
The only Grand Harbour sandy beach in Malta is being polluted with toxic liquids and oil spills from passing ships. In Rinella Bay there’s a Tank Cleaner Farm meant to clean ships which dock in our harbour risking contaminating the beach. Discharges of sewage, dumping of rubbish from vessels, as well as spills of oil and other harmful substances cause Marine Pollution in our Grand Harbour. Also ballast water offering stability in empty ships is problematic. Before every voyage, ballast water is pumped into the ship tanks risking taking in tiny stowaways in the form of marine organisms. Then when the ballast water is pumped out of the ship into the sea, some of these organisms may become pests, contaminating our sea harbour, beaches and fisheries. Unfortunately there is not adequate awareness in keeping our sea harbour clean and local authorities should intervene to safeguard our marine environment and ecosystem.

Marine Mayhem
submitted
by St. Margaret's College Girls' Secondary School Zejtun : Erika Gatt for
11-14
dissemination(s): assemblies, newspaper, Notice boards and social media, other, school magazine, school media
filed under
Photos
These pictures of spoilt seacoast depict a reality can be found in the limits of Xghira. These are not only an eyesore but also contribute to many toxic chemicals and substances leaching the soil and the surrounding environment. Such harmful chemicals are likely to end up in the sea, causing more pollution.