https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/1899 2026-05-22T18:12:55Z 2026-05-22T18:12:55Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145789 2026-04-21T12:37:13Z 2026-04-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Turning climate law into action Abstract: Climate change is a highly controversial matter. Navigating the complexities of how to effectively address it is equally difficult. Pacific communities are the first to face the brunt of the climate crisis. They are critically under-resourced to meet the adaptation demands of a changing climate. Promised funds remain inaccessible. For several villages, the battle has already been lost as their ancestral lands submerged to the rising seas.

2026-04-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145104 2026-03-23T14:59:01Z 2025-05-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Risks to our maritime rights Abstract: The Conscience episode is of grave concern in relation to maritime security and Malta’s coastal maritime interests, and it merits reflection. Under international law, coastal or island states are in a privileged position as they are entitled to a range of rights in the waters adjacent to their coast. Many are familiar with the 12 nautical mile territorial sea. Beyond this is the less known contiguous zone. The Conscience episode does not seem to give rise to issues relating to Malta’s enforcement powers in the area. More importantly are Malta’s potential rights resulting from its entitlement to an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) located adjacent to the territorial sea. Malta has been over the last years carefully preparing to exploit the rights associated with this maritime area. [excerpt]

2025-05-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/144639 2026-03-05T10:35:56Z 2026-02-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Protect the night sky Abstract: The night sky should be recognised as a cultural, scientific and natural heritage which should be protected and conserved for current and future generations. For a long time, the stars served humanity well: a calendar and the first GPS to navigate the ocean. They also inspired storytelling of gods and heroes. Jupiter and Mars for example, gods for the Roman state until they were replaced by Christianity and Perseus and Orion, heroes in Greek mythology. The stars inspired astronomers like Copernicus and Galileo who revolutionised our thinking by displacing earth as being at the centre of the universe and Giordano who extended our understanding of the universe by proposing that the stars were distant suns. In Malta, celestial objects are referred to in some proverbs, words of wisdom based on experience passed on to us by our forefathers, such as: for weather purposes, “il-kwiekeb tegħmeż għandna r-riħ”, when the stars flicker expect the weather to become windy or stormy; in agriculture, “iż-żrigħ u t-tilqim fil-qamar qadim”, farmers should sow seeds and graft trees when there is a waning moon.

2026-02-01T00:00:00Z Borg, Simone Spiteri, Louise https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/132944 2025-03-07T13:51:47Z 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Environmental law in Malta Authors: Borg, Simone; Spiteri, Louise Abstract: Derived from the renowned multi-volume International Encyclopaedia of Laws, this book provides ready access to legislation and practice concerning the environment in Malta. A general introduction covers geographic considerations, political, social and cultural aspects of environmental study, the sources and principles of environmental law, environmental legislation, and the role of public authorities. The main body of the book deals first with laws aimed directly at protecting the environment from pollution in specific areas such as air, water, waste, soil, noise, and radiation. Then, a section on nature and conservation management covers protection of natural and cultural resources such as monuments, landscapes, parks and reserves, wildlife, agriculture, forests, fish, subsoil, and minerals. Further treatment includes the application of zoning and land-use planning, rules on liability, and administrative and judicial remedies to environmental issues. There is also an analysis of the impact of international and regional legislation and treaties on environmental regulation.

2010-01-01T00:00:00Z