Linking Biodiversity and Human Health to Achieve Sustainability
45
Yes, I think so. And it’s not just a matter of education in the sense of schooling; it’s also education, the nurture part, which is due to family culture, friendships, relationships, community.
I think they all have an important role ….
(Interviewee 9)
Although no longer necessarily participating in a formal education environment,
schools can reach parents through the children, who return home eager to practise
what they learned.
… when my eldest was in school … they started separating the waste, and it was 12 years
ago, so we didn’t use to separate the waste yet, the recycling. But my son insisted that we
should start at home as well.
(Interviewee 13)
Formal education is instrumental in the development of critical thinking skills.
Such skills promote an inquisitive nature, encouraging the search for further
information.
Yes, I think the more you educate yourself, the more you learn, and the more your ideas and
perceptions change. If you don’t make an effort to be educated, then all of your perceptions
and all of your ideas are just your own and are not necessarily based on fact or science. So
you could basically believe anything.
(Interviewee 8)
Theme 3: Infrastructure and Nature
The main suggestions for improving quality of life included increasing the number
of pedestrian areas and accessible green areas within the urban setting.
Plant more trees. Leave more open spaces.
(Interviewee 2)
The current approach to construction was mentioned, with suggestions of possibly
building upwards rather than outwards and developing abandoned properties instead
of new ground.
… I would minimise the number of permits that are being issued. At least … build upwards on
the already developed plots, because if you expand, you’re always reducing the environment
and creating more buildings.
(Interviewee 3)
… first don’t grant permits for the little ODZ [Out of Development Zone] areas we have left.
Obviously, our space is really limited, and we need to increase our open spaces rather than
decrease them.
(Interviewee 12)
Although environmental laws are in place, these laws are not respected or
enforced.
Well, enforcement of the law. Basically, there was a law passed in Malta whereby … the
coastline should be considered to be public. I mean, if you enforced that … it would make it
more difficult for developers to continue developing on the same sites.
(Interviewee 1)
45
Yes, I think so. And it’s not just a matter of education in the sense of schooling; it’s also education, the nurture part, which is due to family culture, friendships, relationships, community.
I think they all have an important role ….
(Interviewee 9)
Although no longer necessarily participating in a formal education environment,
schools can reach parents through the children, who return home eager to practise
what they learned.
… when my eldest was in school … they started separating the waste, and it was 12 years
ago, so we didn’t use to separate the waste yet, the recycling. But my son insisted that we
should start at home as well.
(Interviewee 13)
Formal education is instrumental in the development of critical thinking skills.
Such skills promote an inquisitive nature, encouraging the search for further
information.
Yes, I think the more you educate yourself, the more you learn, and the more your ideas and
perceptions change. If you don’t make an effort to be educated, then all of your perceptions
and all of your ideas are just your own and are not necessarily based on fact or science. So
you could basically believe anything.
(Interviewee 8)
Theme 3: Infrastructure and Nature
The main suggestions for improving quality of life included increasing the number
of pedestrian areas and accessible green areas within the urban setting.
Plant more trees. Leave more open spaces.
(Interviewee 2)
The current approach to construction was mentioned, with suggestions of possibly
building upwards rather than outwards and developing abandoned properties instead
of new ground.
… I would minimise the number of permits that are being issued. At least … build upwards on
the already developed plots, because if you expand, you’re always reducing the environment
and creating more buildings.
(Interviewee 3)
… first don’t grant permits for the little ODZ [Out of Development Zone] areas we have left.
Obviously, our space is really limited, and we need to increase our open spaces rather than
decrease them.
(Interviewee 12)
Although environmental laws are in place, these laws are not respected or
enforced.
Well, enforcement of the law. Basically, there was a law passed in Malta whereby … the
coastline should be considered to be public. I mean, if you enforced that … it would make it
more difficult for developers to continue developing on the same sites.
(Interviewee 1)