If Malta is serious about its fight against the effects of climate change, the people should support the Green Party, which is committed to pushing for effective measures and policies to mitigate the effects of climate change, it said on Saturday. 

During a press conference at Birżebbuġa, ADPD chairperson and MEP candidate Sandra Gauchi said recent polls have shown that voters are concerned with the effects of climate change. 

“We want an economy of well-being, not an economy that fattens the pockets of those who are polluting the air, water, land, and environment,” she said. 

“It is obvious that the country is affected by the impacts of climate change, and now we have no other choice but to act now. We are already late.”

The ADPD members noted how different localities have been impacted by pollution and climate change, and focused on the seaside town of Birżebbuġa. 

Melissa Bagley, ADPD deputy chairperson and Birżebbuġa local council candidate said residents have been impacted by the industrial development of the locality in recent years. 

On Friday, NGOs reiterated their call to withdraw the planning application to change the local plan for Qajjenza in Birżebbuġa.

The application seeks to change the local plan so that it allows six blocks of apartments and offices, going up to eight storeys, on the former Enemalta gas storage facility. 

Bagley said the party is also against this application, and said the land should be provided back to the community. 

"Instead of giving the residents the much-needed open space they need for recreational purposes, they are now faced with the prospect of having hundreds of flats added to the area, which is bound to affect their quality of life.  So here we see that the government is keen on putting profit before people."

Closing the press conference, Gauci said it is in the interest of the voter to vote for a European Union that provides a better quality of life and fights the effects of climate change. 

"Whatever is said during the election campaign, the reality remains that if we do not respect the limits that nature itself imposes on us, we will end up badly," she said. 

"The protection of nature, the environment, and the land and sea of our country means the protection and the well-being of all of us today and tomorrow."