Momentum says Lourdes fireworks blast and landfill fires show urgent need for climate action

Momentum said that the recent Lourdes fireworks factory explosion which generated international attention, along with numerous scrapyard and landfill fires, highlight Malta’s “urgent need” to address the climate crisis and protect the environment.

Specifically referencing the Lourdes explosion, Momentum explained that the accident polluted the air, contaminated nearby soil, and possibly even the country’s water table which supplies both agriculture and drinking water.

Momentum also noted that each of these events raised serious air quality concerns due to the heavy toxic smoke produced by the fires, highlighting the environmental risks associated with Malta’s current waste management systems.

The party explained that events such as Storm Harry, last summer's marine heatwave, and large amounts of ice in Rabat last January all indicate increasing pressures on Mediterranean ecosystems as a consequence of climate change. Despite the rising number of extreme weather conditions experienced in Malta over the last year, Momentum said that Malta’s contribution to environmental pollution remains at an “all-time high.” 

Momentum Executive Committee Member Matthew Agius underlined that every effort must be made to prevent man-made environmental incidents through stronger regulation, better enforcement, and long-term planning that places people and nature before short-term interests.

The party proposed a publicly-accessible Environmental Impact Assessment required for every major project, adding that citizens have a right to know how developments will affect their environment, their communities, and future generations. Additionally, the party said that it is not acceptable for public land to continue to be handed over to private developers at the expense of the common good, pointing to the proposed Sliema Lido and the encroachment of hotels along the coast. 

“Environmental challenges are often discussed as a global issue, but Malta is not living in a bubble,” Agius said. “The effects of climate change are being felt in our daily lives. Malta can still choose to protect our natural heritage, strengthen environmental governance, and build a more sustainable future. The decisions we take today will determine the Malta we leave to our children tomorrow,” Agius concluded.