Social Studies - yr 10

Aims of ecotourism

Aims on minimizing the environmental impact of travel by promoting responsible practices like, engaging in activities that protect natural habitats.

This type of travel focuses on visiting natural areas while protecting the environment and economically supporting local communities.

It aims on encouraging people to enjoy nature, learn about wildlife, promote conservation and become aware of environmental issue.

Aims of agritourism

Aim on connecting visitors with agricultural practices so they experience farming first hand like, visiting farms, learning about crops or purchasing local products.

Contribution of agritourism

It contributes to the local economy through supporting local farmers and encourages the preservation of traditional and sustainable agricultural methods.

Advantages of Ecotourism and Agritourism over Conventional tourism

They both help people connect with nature and understand the importance of preserving the natural environment.

They help support the local communities meaning they help sustain the natural environment through supporting local communities and sustaining environmental conservation.

They promote cultural respect.

Ecotourism in Malta

An example is Merill Eco Tours which offers guided experiences using eco-friendly transport, visitors can explore local habitats while learning about the conservation efforts.

Another example is the Ghadira Nature Reserve which a key site for birdwatching and to promote awareness of local wildlife.

Agritourism in Malta

An example is the Ager foundation in Gozo which provides hands-on experiences with local farmer, allowing vistors to participate in traditional cheese-making and to learn about sustainable farming practices.

Another example is the Bahrija Oasis which offers activities like harvesting fresh produce and cooking classes, connecting tourists with Malta’s agricultural heritage.

Mention the various ways on how quarrying affects the environment.

Quarrying is a significant source of pollution such as, air pollution as dust from blasting and heavy machinery can be harmful to human health and wildlife, leading to respiratory issues.

Noise pollution, as the operation of large equipment creates loud noises which can disturb local communities and wildlife, disrupting their natural behaviours.

Water pollution, as the runoff from quarries can carry harmful chemicals and sediments into nearby seas, affecting aquatic life and drinking water quality.

Visual impact, as the large pits and machinery change the landscape, taking away from the natural beauty of it and harming local ecosystems which can affect tourism and community pride.

Mention how quarrying destroys agricultural land and natural habitat.

As when quarries are established, the land is cleared of vegetation, disrupting ecosystems, displacing wildlife and damaging the soil so it becomes infertile and prone to erosion, making it unsuitable for farming.

Dust and noise from blasting and machinery can also negatively impact nearby crops by reducing yields.

It changes the landscape, leaving displeasing scars on hillsides.

It can change drainage patterns meaning, flooding farmland or drying up water sources that animals depend on.

Mention the different types of waste.

Hazardous waste, which is dangerous materials which can harm people and the environment like, cleaning products, paint and batteries.

Recyclable waste, which are items that can be made into new products like, paper, plastic, glass and metal.

Organic waste, which are natural materials that can decompose like, food scraps and yard trimmings.

Other waste, anything that doesn’t fit into the other categories like, broken toys, old clothes and used tissues.

Name the 3 R’s of waste management and their definitions.

Reduce, which means to minimize waste generation by being mindful of consumption and choosing products with minimal packaging.

Reuse, which means to extend the life of products by repurposing, repairing or donating items instead of discarding them.

Recycle, which means to properly dispose of waste that cannot be reduced or reused by separating materials and sending them to appropriate recycling facilities.

Mention how the 3 R’s of waste management affects the Maltese construction industry.

By following the 3 R’s the Maltese construction industry can significantly reduce its environmental footprint, conserve natural resources and contribute to as more sustainable built environments.

Mention how the Maltese construction industry can apply the 3 R’s of waste management.

Reduce, by carefully planning projects and optimizing material usage to minimize construction waste. By adopting prefabrication techniques to reduce on-site waste generation. By implementing energy efficient design strategies to lower a building’s environmental impact during its lifetime.

Reuse, by repurposing and reusing masonry materials like bricks, blocks and tiles from demolished building in new construction projects. By converting vacant or abandoned properties into new living spaces instead of demolishing them and generating waste. By reusing existing building frames and foundations when renovating or extending structures.

Recycle, by separating and recycling construction waste materials like plastics, metals, and cardboard. By utilizing recycled recycled mixtures of crushed concrete and masonry in new concrete mixes. By exploring innovative recycling methods for materials like gypsum, insulation and roofing tiles.

Mention the causes of Malta’s waste and litter issues.

Population density, tourism, lack of civic awareness, lack of landfill sites and current lifestyle patterns.

Mention the solutions to Malta’s waste and litter problem.

Waste separation, as mandatory waste separation helps residents sort their waste into organic, recyclable and mixed waste which reduces landfill use and promotes recycling. Its aim is to recover valuable materials and to improve cleanliness in communities.

Civic amenity sites, as they allow the public to dispose of bulky and hazardous waste responsibly, preventing illegal dumping and littering. As well, they make recycling and reuse of items that can still be valuable easier.

Bulky refuse service, as it provides scheduled pickups for large items making sure they’re disposed of properly and not abandoned in public spaces, and so it reduces litter.

Circular economy, as by adopting a circular economy approach, Malta can focus on reusing materials and reducing waste generation which encourage recycling and sustainable use of resources, ultimately reducing waste and litter problems while promoting environmental health.

Mention ways on how waste can be transformed into a resource.

Recycling, as by processing and repurposing materials like, paper, plastic and metal into new products, reducing the need for raw materials and conserving resources.

Engineered landfilling, as modern landfills are designed to manage waste safely, by capturing methane gas produced during decomposition which can be used to get to generate energy.

Incineration, as burning waste at high temperature reduces its volume and can produce energy. The heat generated can be used to create electricity turning waste into a power source.

Compositing, as organic waste like food scraps and yard waste, can be composted to create nutrient-rich soil, helping reduce landfill waste and enriches gardens.

Sewage treatment, as when wastewater is treated harmful substances are removed and the clean water can be used for irrigation or industrial processes and can create new water.

Mention the impact of global climate change on the environment and society.

It affects the environment and society as the planet warms, we see more extreme weather such as intense heat waves, heavy rains and droughts.

These changes can harm crops leading to food shortages and higher prices which especially impacts people in poorer communities.

Rising sea levels threaten coastal cities, putting millions at risk of flooding.

It worsens air and water quality which can lead to health problems such as respiratory issues and heat-related illnesses.

Many animal and plant species are struggling to survive as their habitats change, leading to extinction for some.

Ozone layer

It protects us from harmful ultraviolet rays, which increase the likeliness of skin cancer and eye damage and so safeguarding the ozone layer helps keep people healthy, protects our environment and reduces healthcare costs for society.

Mention human activities which destroy the ozone layer.

The use of chlorofluorocarbons, as when these substances are released into the atmosphere they rise up and break down ozone molecules. Such as, old refrigerators, air conditioners and aerosol sprays.

Industrial processes and use of solvent contribute to ozone depletion.

Certain pesticides can release harmful chemicals.

Deforestation and burning fossil fuels also increase greenhouse gases which can indirectly affect the ozone layer.

Mention sources of air pollution in Malta.

Cars, cruise liners, cargo ships, planes, construction, and the processes we use to get rid of waste or to turn it into resources.

Mention the aims made in order to increase the usage of renewable energy resources.

The EU and Malta are making significant effort to boost renewable energy use.

The EU’s goal is to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, emphasizing sustainable practices for a greener future.

Like how, Malta encourages electric cars to cut down on fossil fuels.

Malta implements rainwater harvesting systems to conserve water.

Malta aims for 11.5% of its energy to come from renewables by 2030.

Malta is studying the possibility of having onshore windfarms which generate electricity through windfarms.

Mention the initiatives done to increase the usage of renewable energy resources.

Promoting photovoltaic panels on homes and businesses, solar water heaters for heating and energy efficient appliances to reduce consumption.

Socio-Economic Development

The process of improving people’s quality of life by increasing wealth, education, health which leads to better opportunities and living conditions.

Name the socio-economic developments in post-Independence Malta.

Malta gained independence in 1964 and from then Malta has transformed from a developing country to a prosperous, high-income nation these include,

Economic growth, as Malta’s GDP has grown to an average annual growth rate of over 5% in the first 3 decades after independence.

Living standards, as life expectancy in Malta has increased from around 70 tears in the 1960s to over 83 years today. This improves caused Malta’s high ranking on the Human Development Index (HDI) which measures factors like education, health and standard of living.

Education, as Malta has achieved near-universal literacy, with government investing heavily in education such as that free schooling is provided from primary to tertiary levels.

Employment, as the Maltese economy has diversified from its initial reliance on the British military presence and the manufacturing sector and today, Malta has low unemployment rates with many new jobs created in the services and tourism industries.

Mention the factors related to socio-economic development.

Its crucial for achieving sustainable development which is to develop in a way that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Another factor that’s crucial to achieve it is to ensure that all members of society, regardless of their background, have access to opportunities and resources promoting equality and reducing poverty.

Development should be people-focused meaning it should be focused on improving the well-being and quality of life of individuals, rather than just economic growth such as, access to education, healthcare and basic services.

Lastly, responsible resource management is crucial for protecting the environment and ensuring that resources are used efficiently and equitably including, promotion of renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and waste reduction.

Mention the 5 sectors of economy.

The primary sector, which includes activities like farming, fishing and mining which extract raw materials from nature

The secondary sector, which are manufacturing industries that processes raw materials into finished products such as factories making cars, clothes or construction.

The tertiary sector which are service based industries that provide services to people and businesses, like healthcare and tourism.

The quaternary sector which are knowledge based industries that focuses on research, development and innovation, such as, IT and technology.

The quinary sector which are high-level decision making and non-profit activities such as non-profit organisations like government, education and healthcare management.