Sustainability Thinking Series (STS) – No. 3
By Ifeanyi Clement, Green Projects Coordinator
Dear Reader,
Thank you for your continued interest and thoughtful feedback on the Sustainability Thinking Series (STS). Your insights are helping to shape the direction of this conversation, ensuring that each piece stays relevant and focused on what truly matters to you. I encourage you to keep the comments coming!
In today’s edition, we reflect on a core principle of sustainability thinking: everything is interconnected.
This principle reminds us that every system — whether natural, social, or economic — is made up of multiple components that interact and influence one another. Sustainability, therefore, calls for multi-perspective thinking — a process that embraces diverse viewpoints and contextual understanding.
In our last edition, “Doing Small Things from Small Spaces – What Really Is This Sustainability?” I highlighted how even the smallest actions, when accumulated, shape the quality of life we experience.
In sustainability thinking, our thought process should be anchored in key questions:
What are the relationships between the components of my decision? What could be its long-term consequences for the environment?
This approach allows us to view issues from social, economic, environmental, and physical perspectives — helping us make more informed and responsible choices.
Let’s consider a local example. Malta’s marine ecosystem is closely tied to the overall health of the Mediterranean Sea. Human activities, such as illegal and unregulated fishing, disrupt this delicate balance and create ripple effects throughout the ecosystem.
Take catsharks, for example — a diverse group of small, bottom-dwelling sharks in Maltese waters. These species play a critical role in maintaining marine ecosystem stability. By feeding on smaller prey, catsharks help control invertebrate and fish populations, preventing overgrazing of vital habitats like coral reefs and seagrass beds. Their role in nutrient cycling also contributes to the continued productivity of marine environments.
On March 21st, a fisherman was seen selling catsharks at the Xlendi slipway — an incident that raised public concern. While the fisherman’s actions were likely driven by a lack of awareness, the consequences highlight why education is essential. As marine biologist Prof. Alan Deidun stressed, catsharks — like all shark species — reproduce slowly and in small numbers, making their exploitation unsustainable. Such species should not be targeted, not even as bycatch, if we hope to maintain a balanced marine ecosystem.
The same principle applies to our everyday lives.
Choosing to walk, bike, or take public transport can improve air quality and benefit both your health and that of your community.
The food choices you make affect your personal wellbeing and determine the amount of waste generated.
How we use water resources directly influences Malta’s supply for agriculture, industry, and households.
Similarly, national initiatives like Project Green’s restoration of parks and gardens are an example of positive interconnected action. Green spaces absorb pollutants, improve air quality, offer opportunities for recreation, and support both physical and mental health — directly enhancing quality of life for all.
Sustainability thinking is about weighing priorities, acknowledging the long-term consequences of our actions, and making conscious, informed choices.
As the writer Butler wisely observed, we should always assume that resources are limited and must be used prudently. While it is your right to decide how and where you spend your money, it is also worth asking:
How will this decision affect the environment in the long run?
Striking a balance between personal choice and environmental impact is both an individual and collective responsibility.
So the next time you hear the word “sustainability”, remember: it isn’t just an abstract, academic term. It can be as simple as choosing to spend time outdoors with family and friends in one of Malta’s parks — connecting with nature and supporting a healthier future for all.
Thanks for reading — see you in a fortnight!
This series was made possible with the support of Project Green