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Mission Statement
Awareness of the adverse environmental impacts brought about by anthropogenic activities has increased dramatically in recent years. Air & sea pollution, over-exploitation of
natural resources, terrestrial and coastal development, extinction of species and numerous other adverse impacts resulting from human activities are, undeniably, having adverse effects on the quality of human life and the environment.
Oil spills,
disposal of waste, gas emissions, global warming, loss of biodiversity and other environmental issues are often the focus of discussions, newspaper articles and news headings worldwide. Many academic and research organisations undertake studies to help us understand the implications of adverse effects on our environment, while environmentally friendly products have been developed to reduce negative impacts. Yet, we are far from having achieved full understanding, and new information on environmental impacts is being constantly generated - this has made us aware of the need for environmental conservation and management, which in turn need to be based on appropriate data generated through rigorous research.
In the Maltese Islands, waste disposal, pollution, loss of habitat through terrestrial and coastal development, overexploitation of natural resources, gas emissions, effective
implementation of
habitat conservation and management, and
the search for alternative sources of energy, are often key issues. While efforts are being made to safeguard the environment and to improve its quality, there are still many aspects for which knowledge and data are lacking. Even basic information, such as species checklists and data on the occurrence and distribution of species and habitats is lacking.
Therefore, the main objective of the IES is to promote a healthy and sustainable environment through dissemination of knowledge and the acquisition of new data. Our main aims include conservation of biodiversity and natural habitats, effective environmental management and sustainable use of natural resources, restoration of degraded habitats, improvement of the environmental quality, and planning aimed at reducing adverse impacts on the environment. However, these aims can only be achieved by making knowledge-based
decisions.
The institute works to achieve such aims through education and research. Education promotes environmental awareness amongst the general public, which is crucial for a sustainable and healthy environment. Further studies and continuing professional development for graduates and professionals through
internships and short
courses and training programmes provide a means of disseminating the findings from recent research and enable the participant to keep abreast with the latest developments in the field of environmental science. Dissemination of knowledge on the environment to key stakeholders, such as architects, land use planners and developers, and other users of land/sea areas contributes to strategies for sustainable use of resources and techniques for minimising adverse impacts on the environment.
Research is the pillar of knowledge. The large gaps in knowledge on several aspects of the environment can only be addressed by undertaking research. The IES undertakes rigorous research, with emphasis on the Mediterranean environment.
Our activities
include collection
of baseline data
(physical, chemical
and biological
attributes of the
environment),
applied research and
monitoring of
environmental
attributes with
time.
Last but not
least, the IES strives to
disseminate knowledge
and information
gained through
research by
organising educational programs
and publishing the
findings of our
research.
Our Team
The institute is led by an experienced and highly qualified team of academics and researchers, most of which have already contributed to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching programmes at university level, and to environmental research through studies and publications.
Looking Ahead
Our environment is undergoing rapid changes, many of which have large implications on the plants and animals that inhabit our planet, and on our quality of life and health. Many adverse environmental impacts have resulted from anthropogenic activities. It is probably impossible to eliminate the negative effects resulting from our activities on the environment, especially given the rapid growth of the human population. But much can be done by spreading knowledge, by making people aware of how to reduce negative impacts, and by undertaking research to obtain the much needed information on which to base sound decisions for environmental planning and management.
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News and Notices