|
|
|
|
|
|
Port of Call |
LAST UPDATE December 29, 2006
|
|
| site design imagesparkle.com |
| December 12, 2006 |
Valletta, Malta – An Eco-Experience in the Bellybutton of the World |
|
| |
 |
| A Peace Boat participant pitches in to replant trees on Malta |
In the middle of the Mediterranean Sea sits Malta, an island country so small it's nicknamed “The Bellybutton.” Yet, Malta is home to an organization that has a huge grasp of urgent worldwide issues, as well as sweeping visions of how to address them. It's called the Gaia Foundation, and Peace Boat organized an Eco-Experience Programme to its main center when the ship called in Malta on December 12. |
site design imagesparkle.com |
 |
| Participants learn about Gaia's unique indigenous plant nursery |
During the programme, participants visited Gaia's indigenous plant nursery, the only one of its kind on the island. Malta used to be covered with woodlands, but these were cut down in the past and no forests currently exist on the island. Aiming to restore as much woodland as possible, Gaia has planted more than 17,000 indigenous trees and shrubs, and plans to revive the island's olive growing tradition by planting 50,000 olive trees. Many olives used to be grown in Malta, but thousands of trees were cut down in an unsuccessful attempt to grow cotton on the island during the period of British rule. |
| |
 |
| Gaia manages rare stretches of natural coastline like this one in Malta |
Much of Malta's coastline is covered with big fortresses—relics of past warring ages—and relatively little of its natural coastline is left. Gaia, however, has a unique contract with the government to manage and restore some of these remaining coastline areas by patrolling them, replanting them with trees and shrubs to prevent erosion, and removing harmful alien species. It strives to create a model of NGOs managing land on behalf of the government that can be copied and used in other countries. Participants had a chance to visit one site managed by Gaia, and enjoyed a breathtakingly beautiful view of the sea. They also had a chance to help out with tree-planting, and experience the satisfaction of giving back to a local environment. “I want to come back to Malta again and see my tree when it's bigger,” exclaimed many participants. |
| |
 |
| On Gaia's organic farm, weeds are kept to help keep insect balance |
Malta produces only twenty percent of its own food, and agriculture constitutes only a small percentage of activity on the island. However, agriculture uses an inordinate amount of water and pesticides, and its future feasibility in the Mediterranean is being threatened by global warming. Gaia, therefore, started its own organic, water-efficient farm to help others learn how to do the same. Participants had a chance to visit the farm and reflect on the relationship between food, peace, and the environment. “I experienced starvation in Japan because of World War II,” said one participant, “so I understand the importance of food production. In the future, it won't matter how great our technology is if we can't produce enough food for ourselves—we can't eat computers.” |
| |
 |
| Tour participants enjoy a tasty and organic Mediterranean lunch |
In addition to land management and organic farming, The Gaia Foundation promotes fair trade, holds educational workshops, and works closely with other environmental NGOs to lobby for greater environmental protections within Malta and elsewhere. It also cooperates with other NGOs in advocating for refugee rights, social justice and animal protection. The foundation's website can be accessed in five languages at www.projectgaia.org. |
| |
|
|
|
