The importance of EU environmental security to Malta

Abstract

The Maltese Islands and the surrounding sea are inhabited by thousands of different species of animals, plants, bacteria and fungi. This biodiversity safeguards the functioning of ecosystems and the benefits derived from them, such as the provision of food, water, nutrient recycling, along with recreational and cultural benefits. Varied habitats form the Maltese natural environment; with a population of more than 400,000 inhabitants it is understandable that man has had a great influence on the natural environment with a subsequent decrease in certain animal populations amongst other living organisms. This alarming decline is due to the little attention which was hitherto being given to the Maltese environment. In this dissertation I intend to show how European environmental security and EU policies have contributed to a growing awareness amongst the Maltese people of the need to better safeguard the natural environment. There are various environmental threats present on the islands mostly associated with resource use or pollution. As with an increased global focus on green issues, Malta has seen a similar increase in awareness, facilitated in no small measure by the EU. Nowadays, every EU member state has to give a contribution in order to improve their own capacity to deal effectively with such environmental threats.