Air pollution - the right to a healthy, clean environment

I received a brief environmental article which I hope will be the first of many:

Air pollution is very much in the news at the moment. Various environmental reports inform us of the harmful effects of toxic fumes emitted from vehicles run on both petrol and diesel. In Malta and Gozo car ownership per capita is currently higher than that of the United States. Moreover the total number of cars here is increasing by 8,000 a year. This makes it essential that exhaust fumes from 250,000 vehicles on our roads are adequately maintained.

Why do we see so many vehicles belching out thick black smoke? We have existing laws which need to be enforced with more vigour than at present. Is it any wonder that the increase of respiratory diseases in our islands is a real cause for concern? What future can our children look forward to? Do we want to reach the stage already arrived at in countries where people are advised not to venture outside without appropriate breathing masks because the air is so polluted? We would like to see the authorities carry out projects like the successful one they did regarding seat-belts.

While to drive without a seat-belt is a danger to oneself, dirty exhaust is a danger to the health of the whole nation.

Marjorie Bonnici

I thank Ms Bonnici for her contribution and I take the opportunity to encourage environment-oriented readers to help us in our campaign for a clean and healthy environment.