50
D. A. Gatt and M. C. Mifsud
(continued)
Action
Coordinating body
• Offer activities for urban gardening
University of Malta
Increase Availability of Products
• Discuss the possibility of importing environmentally friendly products
at competitive prices with local importers
Government of Malta
• Support local suppliers to increase their presence on the market
Government of Malta
Environmental Support
• Embellish urban areas with greenery to increase pressure on creating
new social norms
Local Councils
• Increase patrols and law enforcement for environmental infringements Government of Malta
8 Conclusion
This study allowed for a brief foray into the complexities of the current situation
regarding the relationship of the Maltese 30–45 adult population with biodiversity.
The results obtained were interesting in that in most cases they corroborated studies
performed in other countries and supported local studies on similar topics. It is
clear that this university research has contributed to increasing understanding of the
various linkages between the knowledge and behavioural domains. Higher Education
Institutions have been identified as being key instruments in performing community outreach. As the main stakeholder, these institutions should take the lead in
applying and contextualising the recommendations presented by working in partnership with both the Government of Malta and the Local Councils. The implementation
of the recommendations listed above will initiate the process of empowerment of the
population through understanding their environment using Education for Sustainable
Development.
Upon considering the results obtained through this research, and the concluding
remarks, the following ideas for further research are being proposed:
• A study on the effectiveness of Higher Education Institutions in achieving
increased biodiversity awareness through community outreach.
• Research on how ESD practices can bring forth, among the locals, a sense of social
responsibility that contributes towards protection, appreciation, and ownership of
biodiversity.
• A study focusing on the local population that attempts to analyse the applicability
of the IPA model with different age groups.
The research proposed above would increase the literature available on the
local population, particularly if performed among older age groups, thus further
contributing to the closure of the gap in literature identified earlier within this paper.
Additionally, such studies would enable the monitoring of the effectiveness of any
D. A. Gatt and M. C. Mifsud
(continued)
Action
Coordinating body
• Offer activities for urban gardening
University of Malta
Increase Availability of Products
• Discuss the possibility of importing environmentally friendly products
at competitive prices with local importers
Government of Malta
• Support local suppliers to increase their presence on the market
Government of Malta
Environmental Support
• Embellish urban areas with greenery to increase pressure on creating
new social norms
Local Councils
• Increase patrols and law enforcement for environmental infringements Government of Malta
8 Conclusion
This study allowed for a brief foray into the complexities of the current situation
regarding the relationship of the Maltese 30–45 adult population with biodiversity.
The results obtained were interesting in that in most cases they corroborated studies
performed in other countries and supported local studies on similar topics. It is
clear that this university research has contributed to increasing understanding of the
various linkages between the knowledge and behavioural domains. Higher Education
Institutions have been identified as being key instruments in performing community outreach. As the main stakeholder, these institutions should take the lead in
applying and contextualising the recommendations presented by working in partnership with both the Government of Malta and the Local Councils. The implementation
of the recommendations listed above will initiate the process of empowerment of the
population through understanding their environment using Education for Sustainable
Development.
Upon considering the results obtained through this research, and the concluding
remarks, the following ideas for further research are being proposed:
• A study on the effectiveness of Higher Education Institutions in achieving
increased biodiversity awareness through community outreach.
• Research on how ESD practices can bring forth, among the locals, a sense of social
responsibility that contributes towards protection, appreciation, and ownership of
biodiversity.
• A study focusing on the local population that attempts to analyse the applicability
of the IPA model with different age groups.
The research proposed above would increase the literature available on the
local population, particularly if performed among older age groups, thus further
contributing to the closure of the gap in literature identified earlier within this paper.
Additionally, such studies would enable the monitoring of the effectiveness of any