The second edition of festAmbjent was held on Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 March at the Junior College, where students had the opportunity to attend a series of seminars on a variety of topics from the various academic disciplines, giving them the opportunity to look at environmental issues from a wider lens.
The event also offered students the opportunity to meet local environmental activists and NGO representatives (together with their furry friends). At the stand of the Argotti Botanic Gardens and Resource Centre one could explore a variety of plants showing a range of xerophytic adaptations, while the Institute of Earth Systems together with the Earth Systems Association (ESA) students organised the activity ‘Seeing our world from a microscopic level’, where visitors stepped into the unseen world of air pollution and pollen.
During the same week, an exhibition on the theme War: A human tragedy - An environmental disaster was set up in the Foyer, focusing on the effects of war on the environment and the promotion of positive peace. Students following the Enrichment Programmes offered by the Environmental Committee encouraged fellow students to commit themselves to positive peace, and as a symbolic gesture, sign and place a poppy in front of the exhibition. They also sold cakes in aid of JC cats.
The World through Printing was the theme of an exhibition which was also set up in the Foyer with artwork made by students of the Department of the Creative Arts and Design.
A number of microscopes which were not being used by the Biology Department were presented to Birdlife Malta and Naturetrust - FEE Malta for use at the Nature Reserves and at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre at Xrobb l-Għagin which are respectively managed by both organisations.
The members of the Environmental Committee would like to thank all those who helped in the setting up of this event, and all those who participated in the activities that were organised.
