Whether or not you believe that climate change could have catastrophic effects, it exists in the context of other pressures in modern day life, such as population pressures and pressures on resources, according to Avertano Role, a geography lecturer at the University of Malta, who participated in a climate change debate at the university quadrangle yesterday.
The debate, themed ‘Global Warming or Global Scam?’ was organised by the Arts Students’ Association (ASA) as part of the university students’ council’s (KSU) environment fair.
Andre Vella, from Alternattiva Demokratika, started off by pointing out that there is a lot of evidence that clearly shows that man-made climate change is real.
But John Spiteri Gingell, a climate change sceptic, said that this “clear evidence” is being manipulated and corrupted continuously.
Recently, officials from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) admitted that a claim that the Himalayan glaciers could melt by 2035 was unfounded, he said.
Mr Spiteri Gingell said science is often politicised. Climate change is not a problem at all, he said, adding that there have been a number of changes in the climate, which humankind has adapted to over time.
He said money would be better spent to deal with big environmental problems and poverty, for instance.
“Worrying about climate change could have very serious consequences. Take the fact that we plan to spend millions to reach climate change targets.
“Why are we using people’s taxes in this way, when there is no evidence that shows that climate change could have catastrophic effects? There are a lot of commercial interests in the global warming industry. ”
John Schembri, the head of the university’s Geography Department, on his part, said that the effects of climate change are accentuated further by modern day lifestyles, such as the use of air conditioning systems, which put a pressure on energy resources.
Dr Schembri said that while there have been a number of historical climatic fluctuations, each and every one of us can help mitigate climate change.
He rebutted Mr Spiteri Gingell’s claim that scientists are trying to manipulate the facts. Scientists are controlled by independent groups that evaluate research before it is disseminated. The majority of scientists do not intend to deceive the public, he said.
Mr Role spoke about the IPCC data, saying that mistakes are made, and scientific findings evolve continuously.
“A number of elements and interests come into play. Where is the money going? Science cannot be ignored, but neither should people like global warming sceptic Christopher Monckton.”
He said that the demand for energy and the global population are growing at an extraordinary rate. Undoubtedly, as time goes by, there will be more social unrest, he said.
AD’s Arnold Cassola, one of the people in the audience, commented towards the end of the debate, saying that the most important thing is to take precautions, not to be alarmist.
“Take Malta’s tourism industry, for instance. We should be promoting cultural tourism much more, because very soon it will be too hot to enjoy the sun and sea in the summer months.”
He mentioned the bluefin tuna fishing industry, criticising former European Commissioner Joe Borg, who resisted whoever said there should be a 50 per cent cut in tuna quotas to avoid depletion of the species.
Because no precautions were taken, cuts in quotas have had to be more drastic, said Prof. Cassola.
He also criticised European Commissioner John Dalli, a day after the EU approved the cultivation of genetically modified potatoes and maize.
fvella@independent.com.mt
