ESA Earth Systems Association

Science in the city 2026

A huge thank you to all the curious minds and little scientists who stopped by our stand at Science in the City

💡This year, we put your environmental knowledge to the test with our Carbon Clues and Climate Footprint workship activities, exploring how our everyday lifestyle choices influence our environmental impact

😊 Thank you for participating and spending part of your evening with us

🏭 Science in the City 2026 - Visit our Stand!

⚙️ Join the Earth Systems Association at Triton Fountain, Valletta on Saturday, 26th September for "Carbon Clues & Climate Footprint" as part of this year's SITC theme "Research, Resist, Reimagine".

👣 Take part in our interactive stations where you investigate your carbon footprint.

🌳 Get a better understanding of the world's carbon sinks.
..and more! 🌍

🗓️ Save the date to learn more about human influence on the climate - daily choices, daily footprints! 🔍

Do you want to study earthquakes and explore what’s happening beneath Malta?

The Department of Geosciences at the University of Malta is offering an MSc. by Research scholarship investigating Malta’s recent seismic activity. You’ll work with real data from the Malta Seismic Network and gain hands-on training in modern earthquake analysis.

Applicants must be in possession of a BSc in one of the following areas: Geosciences, Physics, Earth Systems, Maths, Statistics.
Degrees in other science subjects, earth-related studies, or IT will be considered.

💶 Remuneration: €500/month for one year
📅 Apply by 11 September 2026, send your application to [email protected]

For full information, please read the call here:
https://www.um.edu.mt/media/um/docs/faculties/science/geosciences/studentresources/CallFroScholarshipGSC.pdf

Calling all!📞🐚

🌞🍝As summer slowly draws to a close, join us for our Dip and Dine event at Wied iż-Žurrieq!

🌊We'll begin with our swim at 5pm near the Blue Grotto Boat Service (Google Maps location)

🍴Then dine at the nearby Step In restaurant right around the corner

We kindly request anyone interested in joining to fill out our google form (below), registrations close at noon of 11th September !!

Thank you and we hope to see you there😎

Link:

https://forms.gle/6h9s3ELU5JkHg2oS9

Sunscreen and its effects on marine ecosystems. 🌊☀️

Some UV-filtering ingredients can enter marine environments, accumulating in sediments and organisms, negatively impacting marine biota.

🐚 Swipe to discover how our choices affect more than just our skin.

Students and NGOs Express Deep Concern Over Comino Development and ERA’s Board Decision

The Earth Systems Association, along with 26 other student organisations, 11 student representatives, and 11 NGOs, expresses deep disappointment at the decision made by the ERA - Environment & Resources Authority on Friday, 7 August, which allows for excavation works and the uprooting of 678 trees in connection with a private development (EP 1472/22). The proposed development would include the construction of 16 holiday villas, 44 swimming pools, and a 140-bed hotel within the Comino Hotel Complex at il-Bajja ta’ San Niklaw, and the Comino Bungalows Area at il-Bajja ta’ Santa Marija (PA/04777/20).

🏝️ Legal Protection and Designations:

Comino and its surrounding islets are designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under the EU Habitats Directive and as a Special Protection Area under the EU Birds Directive, forming part of the Natura 2000 network. In addition, various areas of Comino are designated as Areas of Ecological Importance, Sites of Scientific Importance, Tree Protection Areas, Bird Sanctuaries, and a Nature Reserve. In view of these designations, we believe that Comino deserves the highest level of environmental protection.

🌳 ERA's Board Decision and the Removal of Trees:

First, although the 468 Oleanders, 125 Mexican Fan Palms, and 31 Canary Island Date Palms marked for uprooting are non-endemic and unprotected under the Trees and Woodlands Protection Regulations, removing them rapidly on such a scale raises environmental concerns. This decision also includes 33 protected Aleppo Pines and 21 Cypress Trees. Mature trees provide shade, stabilise soil, and reduce water runoff, making them particularly valuable given the degradation of Comino’s biodiversity and seasonal human pressure. Furthermore, we believe the proposed planting of 540 indigenous saplings to compensate for the removal of 54 protected mature specimens, along with additional specimens to replace any of the 348 trees planned for transplantation that fail to survive, remains insufficient to offset the benefits provided by established vegetation. Compensatory planting should only be considered as a last resort. As such, this creates a significant gap in time before any ecological benefits may be observed.

🏗️ The Proposed Development and Spillover Effects:

Second, while recognising the adverse effects identified in the Environmental Impact Assessment, including construction and demolition-related noise, vibrations, and waste, as well as increased infrastructure demand during operation, we believe the project sets a dangerous agenda for the urbanisation of Comino and the expansion of tourism. This is particularly relevant given the large number of tourists already visiting Comino and the fact that the island’s Carrying Capacity Study remains withheld from the public.

⚖️ Contested Planning and Legal Issues:

Third, and most importantly, we remain concerned about the planning and legal issues surrounding the project’s Planning Application, particularly regarding its compliance with the Local Plan and the protections afforded to Comino as a Natura 2000 site and SAC. The proposed development also raises concerns regarding its compatibility with the Planning Objectives of the Comino Management Plan, as well as rural development and design policies which aim to safeguard such sites. These concerns have already been raised regarding the project, with environmental NGOs currently challenging the PA permit in court.

📢 Call to Action:

We, the undersigned, support the position taken by Moviment Graffitti and urge the ERA Board to reconsider its decision, while also calling into question the position taken by the Minister for Energy, the Environment, and the Regeneration of the Grand Harbour Miriam Dalli, on this matter. Economic activities, particularly tourism, on Comino should be supported by small-scale infrastructure, and therefore, must prioritise the restoration of existing buildings over large-scale development. Any intervention affecting Comino and its flora must also be carried out in good faith, and in accordance with the Management Plan’s Vision Statement and all applicable legislation and policies.

🤝 Statement Endorsed by:

Student Organisations:

Association of Students of Commercial Studies (ASCS)
Betapsi Malta
Classics & Archaeology Students' Association (CASA)
Criminology Students' Association (CSA)
Department of English Students Association (DESA)
Malta Law Students' Society (GħSL)
Għaqda Studenti tat-Teoloġija (GħST)
Għaqda tal-Malti (Għmu)
Gozo University Group (GuG)
History of Art and Fine Arts Students' Association (HoASA)
Junior Chamber of Advocates (JCA)
Kunsill Nazzjonali taż-Żgħażagħ (KNŻ)
Kunsill Studenti Universitarji (KSU)
Malta Association of Dental Students (MADS)
Malta Health Students' Association (MHSA)
Malta International Relations Students Association (MIRSA)
Malta Medical Students' Association (MMSA)
Media & Knowledge Sciences Association (MKSA)
Pharmacology and Clinical Therapeutics Students’ Society (PACTS)
Science Students' Society (S-Cubed/S3)
Society for Architecture & Civil Engineering Students (SACES)
Studenti Demokristjani Maltin (SDM)
Studenti Graffitti (Moviment Graffitti)
Students for Liberty Malta
University Engineering Students' Association (UESA)
Young European Federalists Malta (JEF Malta)

Student Representatives:

5 UM Senate Student Representatives
2 UM Council Student Representatives
2 Student Faculty Board Representatives - Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
2 Student Faculty Board Representatives - Faculty of Laws

Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs):

The Astronomical Society of Malta
FAA Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar
GreenHouse
The 'Grow 10 Trees' Project
Il-Kollettiv
Malta Environment Foundation
Malta Youth in Agriculture
Malta Chamber of Scientists
Foundation for the Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee
Wild for Orchids Community Malta
Wirt Għawdex

🌍 Like the seasons give way to another, so too does the Earth Systems Association.

We’re proud to introduce the Executive team for the 2026-2027 term! Together, we're dedicated to creating a warm, inclusive, and welcoming community for everyone.

🌅 Swipe to meet the people guiding the ESA through its next chapter!

In case you’re wondering what’s behind our Environmental Impact nomination, here’s a snapshot of what ESA has been up to this year♻️💚

From national campaigns and campus initiatives to school outreach and collaborations, these are some of the moments we’re most proud of☘️

Following our win for Kokka Organizzazzjoni at Kokka Night, we’re proud to share that our work is also being recognised in the FreeHour Youth Awards. 🌿

The Earth Systems Association has been nominated as a finalist for the Environmental Impact Award🌍🌳, and we’d be honoured to have your support.

Fellow university students and student organisations, let’s show that student-led groups...no matter how small — can achieve big things when we organise, collaborate, and care.

If our work has resonated with you, we’d really appreciate your vote for ESA in the Environmental Impact category. 💚

Submit your vote through the link in our bio!

KOKKA ORGANIZZAZZJONI 2026🏆🦉

We are incredibly proud to announce that we have been awarded the Kokka Organizzazzjoni Award by KSU for the year 2026 (and for the first time in ESA history!)

This recognition reflects the dedication and hard work that defined our year, which began with a National Protest and quickly evolved into a packed calendar of farmer's markets, thrift shops, hikes, clean-ups, and so much more🌍♻️.

We are deeply grateful to our executive team for their constant commitment, to the Institute of Earth Systems - University of Malta for always supporting us in everything we do, and to every single person who attended our events, engaged with us, and supported our initiatives along the way. None of this would have been possible without the incredible community around us.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Here are some of our highlights from this year💚