Best Entry

Who said it’s a 1-time plastic?

submitted by Independent Candidate : Luke De Bono  for 7-10
campaign: yre-entry
dissemination(s): Facebook page, other
filed under campaigning-photo Photos
awarded: Best Entry, Finalist, WasteServ Award

Plastic Oceans International state that “50% of all plastic produced (380 million tons per year) is for single-use purposes – used for just minutes and then thrown away”. So let’s wash 1-time plastic bags and use them several times. Who said it’s a 1-time plastic?



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Adaptability Despite Adversity

submitted by Ninu Cremona Gozo College Secondary School : Emma Lynn Cauchi  for 11-14
campaign: yre-entry
dissemination(s): school media
filed under Photos reporting-photo
awarded: Best Entry, Finalist

Two adult ducks watch over their ducklings as they make the most of a pothole filled with filthy water, showcasing nature’s resilience in the face of urban challenges.



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Resilience Under Care

submitted by San Gwann Primary : Amy Borg Stevens  for 11-14
campaign: yre-entry
dissemination(s): school media
filed under Photos series-of-photos
awarded: Best Entry

In this series of images captured at Xrobb il-Ghagin Sustainable Development Centre, injured turtles find refuge and healing amidst compassionate care. Each photograph portrays the delicate beauty of these creatures, in contrast with the trash that injured them and the visible scars and injuries they bear. Through the lens of these snapshots, viewers witness the resilience of these turtles as they undergo rehabilitation and treatment, guided by the dedicated staff of the Centre. Amidst the tranquil surroundings of the Centre, the images convey a sense of hope and renewal, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts in safeguarding vulnerable species. We are invited to reflect on the impact of human activity on wildlife and the crucial role of such places in nurturing and protecting our natural world.



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Nature finds a way, but at what cost?

submitted by Sacred Heart College : Elizabeth Jade Pace and Zoe Zammit  for 11-14
campaign: YRE Entry
dissemination(s): other, school media, Students' personal social media platforms
filed under Photos Reporting photo
awarded: Best Entry

Nature has an incredible ability to adapt and find a way to survive even in the most challenging conditions. However, this resilience often comes at a significant cost. Malta is an example of how rapid population growth, overdevelopment and loss of habitat have a negative impact on our lives and the islands biodiversity.   Malta has a rapidly growing population. Malta’s population grew from 417,432 in 2011 to 519,562 in 2021, that is roughly an increase of 25%. On a more worrying note, Eurostat figures show that between 2000 and 2021, construction activity in Malta shot up by an astronomical 330%. This is leading to the destruction of many natural habitats and rural areas in and around our towns and villages.     This loss of habitat has had a significant impact on the country’s biodiversity, with many species now endangered such as the Maltese Freshwater Crab and the Vagrant Hedgehog. The destruction of habitats has also had a knock-on effect on the ecosystem, affecting the pollination of plants and agriculture.  The Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (BES) index, formulated by the Swiss Re Institute, marked 100% of Malta’s ecosystems as fragile!   Nature may find a way to adapt to these changes, but the long-term consequences of overdevelopment and loss of habitat can be catastrophic. It is crucial that we take action to protect and preserve the natural world before it is too late.   Location: Delimara, Marsaxlokk Malta



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Nothing to see here

submitted by Sacred Heart College : Melissa Sansone Sciberras, Nicole Farrugia Wismayer  for 11-14
campaign: YRE Entry
dissemination(s): other, school media, Students' personal social media platforms
filed under Campaigning photo Photos
awarded: Best Entry

What happened to our precious world? Is there really anything left to see here? Construction is one of the largest industries in Malta. The high demand for property development in Malta is having a significant impact on the island’s natural environment. One of the main concerns is the loss of green spaces and the fragmentation of habitats due to urbanization. Additionally, the construction process can lead to soil erosion, water and noise pollution and can have negative effects on local biodiversity. Furthermore, construction activities generate large amounts of waste, which can be difficult to manage and dispose of in a sustainable manner. While the Maltese government has introduced regulations to minimize the environmental impact of construction, there is still much work to be done to ensure that construction activities are carried out in a sustainable and responsible way that preserves Malta’s natural environment for future generations. Building excessive buildings everywhere is ruining our natural environment, filling our hometowns with apartment blocks, offices, casinos and hotels. What about our new generations?  What oxygen are we breathing? When are we going to stop building unsustainably? Are we ready to start taking down built-up areas and return them to nature, by planting trees instead? Location: St. Julian’s, Malta



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Tiles from the Ocean

submitted by De La Salle College : Benjamin Calleja Falzon  for 11-14
campaign: YRE Entry
dissemination(s): Instragram, other, school magazine, school media, website
filed under Photos series-of-photos
awarded: Best Entry

Let me start by introducing myself – my name is Benjamin Calleja Falzon (Benji in short), I live in Mellieha and will be turning 11 years old this year. I am in Year 6 at De La Salle College, Malta and I’ve recently joined the Young Reports for the Environment (YRE) Malta community. For those of you who do not know what this is, YRE is a global programme designed for students with the main aim being to carry out investigations on local environmental issues and propose solutions through reporting and photojournalism. I have decided to tackle the growing problem of illegal dumping on our island, specifically tiles in our ocean 🌊. Through this page my mission is to spread awareness on the subject of illegal dumping and hope to inspire others to start doing simple things to help protect the earth 🌍. link to Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/tilesfromtheocean



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Loss of Natural Habitat

submitted by Gozo College Middle School : Emma Lynn Cauchi  for 11-14
campaign: YRE Entry
dissemination(s): EcoSchools noticeboard, other, school magazine, school media, website
filed under Photos Reporting photo
awarded: Best Entry

Photos show contrastic realities of wildlife living in their natural habitat with a growing concern that these must adapt to new surroundings which are often overwhelmed with human progress and urban sprawl. Photo 1 Snail – “Let me roam as free as can be!” In this picture, the snail is seen happily wandering on leaves in its natural habitat which is still untouched by human beings. Photo 2 Dragonfly – “I prefer a pond or stream rather than this cold piece of steel!” Here, the dragonfly is seen in a different habitat than the one it is used to. Photo 3 Bee “Let me be, wild and free!” The wasp is admired in its natural habitat. Photo 4 Building The spreading of urban developments destroying wildlife habitats.



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Watch Your Steps!

submitted by DINGLI PRIMARY : Ruby Mifsud & Zack Abela Medici  for 7-10
campaign: YRE Entry
dissemination(s): College website and fb page, other, school magazine, website
filed under Campaigning photo Photos
awarded: Best Entry

Animals and insects need our help, especially bees and snails. They need our awareness and our protection. The most important thing to do is to be careful where to step. The worst thing to do is to not take notice and act like nothing is going on around you. The world needs our help and we have to do something. Remember, teamwork makes the dream work and that means we have to work together to save the world. Take a small step to save the world by first helping the living things around you.



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Solar Bulb

submitted by G.F Abela Junior College University of Malta : Marie Therese Pavia  for 15-18
campaign: yre-entry
dissemination(s): newspaper, school media, tv, website
filed under campaigning-photo Photos
awarded: Best Entry, Finalist

An ordinary bulb lit by the setting sun and power lines in the background recall the urgent need to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and invest more in solar energy sources. A sustainable future depends highly on renewable energy sources.



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Your environmental footprint – Walking with, or against, nature?

submitted by G.F Abela Junior College University of Malta : Marie Therese Pavia  for 15-18
campaign: yre-entry
dissemination(s): newspaper, school media, tv, website
filed under campaigning-photo Photos
awarded: Best Entry

All your actions and choices have some impact on the environment. It’s up to you to decide to what extent. Hence, by making sustainable choices, you can reduce your environmental footprint.



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