Prof. Simone Borg Malta’s current Ambassador for Climate Change, as well as chairperson for both the University of Malta’s Climate Change Platform and the National Climate Action Board. In conversation with Timothy Alden, she explains in detail how climate change affects Malta and how the island can adapt.
In 1988, Malta took the first step when petitioning the United Nations General Assembly to include climate change as a topic on its agenda. In doing so, it brought international attention to what would be later recognised as the climate crisis.
Through a 30 year journey, society’s attitude towards climate change has slowly progressed. Nonetheless, its effects are already being felt in Malta. Extreme weather and lack of precipitation affect agriculture and food security and the rise of sea levels can affect our water supplies. As an island, Malta is highly dependable on the ocean, and as such small disruptions can cause a chain reaction that can affect Malta’s ecosystem and natural resources.
Fundamental changes are desperately needed if we are to adapt. Implementing laws to protect our natural resources and investing in water infrastructure are some of the necessities pointed out by Prof. Borg. But she points out that adaptation may not always be a possibility, especially when it comes to biodiversity.
The full version of the article can be read in THINK Issue 36 or accessed online. This edition focuses on Destruction and tackles topics ranging from death to war to environmental devastation.