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D. A. Gatt and M. C. Mifsud
Theme 4: The Meaning of Biodiversity
All interviewees had previously heard of the word “biodiversity”, but almost half
were unsure of the definition. Although unsure, most were able to propose a partial
definition.
I don’t know, maybe there is something diverse in nature?
(Interviewee 10)
I don’t know. Everything that makes up the earth, humans and everything that is alive, in my
opinion.
(Interviewee 12)
4 Discussion
Ecosystems provide a variety of services (Nowak et al. 2018), yet the main service
mentioned in the data collected relates to air quality.
Unfortunately, the Maltese culture favours the use of motorised vehicles as the
primary form of transportation. Although a minority exists that prefers alternative
forms of transport, such as bicycles, neither the culture nor the country infrastructure
caters for these practices.
The reliance on motorised vehicles has led to a situation of extreme congestion
and an ageing infrastructure that is unable to cope with the volume of traffic.
The resultant decrease in air quality causes respiratory issues (Balzan et al. 2012;
Drago et al. 2013) and affects the quality of life of those subjected to acute situations
of pollution, potentially negating attempts at healthier lifestyle choices.
One thing that I try to do, even for the benefit of my children, is that I always take them to
school on foot … However, by the time I get to the top of the hill, often there are so many
trucks and cars that I almost choke.
(Interviewee 11)
Several projects are currently under way—namely the Marsa Junction Project and
the Central Link Project—that aim to reduce congestion and vehicular emissions
through the improvement of road infrastructure. However, given the current rate of
acquisition of motorised vehicles (National Statistics Office 2019), this may only be
a temporary solution.
Roadside vegetation assists in reducing air pollution from vehicular emissions
(Mori et al. 2018). However, urban vegetation is lacking in Malta. At least 33% of
the interviewees supported this view.
… it really annoys me that there’s nowhere in walking distance that I can go and just, you
know, have some countryside for my kids.
(Interviewee 7)
In a study conducted by Mifsud (2010), Maltese youth postulated that the Government avoids enforcing environmental laws due to fear of losing votes. This study
D. A. Gatt and M. C. Mifsud
Theme 4: The Meaning of Biodiversity
All interviewees had previously heard of the word “biodiversity”, but almost half
were unsure of the definition. Although unsure, most were able to propose a partial
definition.
I don’t know, maybe there is something diverse in nature?
(Interviewee 10)
I don’t know. Everything that makes up the earth, humans and everything that is alive, in my
opinion.
(Interviewee 12)
4 Discussion
Ecosystems provide a variety of services (Nowak et al. 2018), yet the main service
mentioned in the data collected relates to air quality.
Unfortunately, the Maltese culture favours the use of motorised vehicles as the
primary form of transportation. Although a minority exists that prefers alternative
forms of transport, such as bicycles, neither the culture nor the country infrastructure
caters for these practices.
The reliance on motorised vehicles has led to a situation of extreme congestion
and an ageing infrastructure that is unable to cope with the volume of traffic.
The resultant decrease in air quality causes respiratory issues (Balzan et al. 2012;
Drago et al. 2013) and affects the quality of life of those subjected to acute situations
of pollution, potentially negating attempts at healthier lifestyle choices.
One thing that I try to do, even for the benefit of my children, is that I always take them to
school on foot … However, by the time I get to the top of the hill, often there are so many
trucks and cars that I almost choke.
(Interviewee 11)
Several projects are currently under way—namely the Marsa Junction Project and
the Central Link Project—that aim to reduce congestion and vehicular emissions
through the improvement of road infrastructure. However, given the current rate of
acquisition of motorised vehicles (National Statistics Office 2019), this may only be
a temporary solution.
Roadside vegetation assists in reducing air pollution from vehicular emissions
(Mori et al. 2018). However, urban vegetation is lacking in Malta. At least 33% of
the interviewees supported this view.
… it really annoys me that there’s nowhere in walking distance that I can go and just, you
know, have some countryside for my kids.
(Interviewee 7)
In a study conducted by Mifsud (2010), Maltese youth postulated that the Government avoids enforcing environmental laws due to fear of losing votes. This study