Malta & the Arctic: What’s at Stake?

Imagine, if you will, the bustling streets of Valletta on a warm summer’s day. The scent of fresh pastizzi wafts through the air as locals and tourists alike mingle in the sun-drenched squares. Now, picture this: a high-ranking US official, standing in the heart of this Mediterranean city, declaring it’s time for America to ‘put its footprint back on Greenland’. Sounds like a scene from a spy thriller, doesn’t it? Well, it’s not. It’s reality.

In a recent visit to the Arctic, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry, echoed President Trump’s sentiments, stating that the US should have a ‘presence’ in Greenland. But what does this mean for Malta, a small island nation nestled in the Mediterranean, thousands of miles away from the Arctic Circle?

Malta and Greenland, at first glance, seem worlds apart. One is a sun-kissed archipelago with a rich history and a vibrant culture, the other is a vast, icy land with a population smaller than Malta’s. Yet, they share a unique bond. Both are islands with strategic importance, both have been under foreign rule, and both have a strong sense of national identity.

Malta’s history is intertwined with that of the Arctic. During the Cold War, the US established a military base in Thule, Greenland, as part of its early warning system. Malta, too, was a key NATO ally, hosting US military facilities. Today, while the Arctic may seem far removed from Malta’s shores, it’s a region that’s warming faster than the rest of the planet, with significant implications for us all.

The Arctic is warming at twice the rate of the global average. This has profound implications for sea levels, weather patterns, and biodiversity. For Malta, a low-lying island nation, rising sea levels pose an existential threat. According to the Malta Climate Change Office, without significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, sea levels could rise by up to 1.1 meters by the end of the century.

This is where the US’s interest in Greenland comes into play. The Arctic is a treasure trove of natural resources, including oil, gas, and rare earth metals. As the ice melts, these resources become more accessible, and more coveted. But exploiting these resources could exacerbate climate change, putting Malta and other low-lying nations at further risk.

So, what does this mean for Malta? Should we be concerned about the US’s Arctic ambitions? The answer is complex. On one hand, a strong US presence in the Arctic could help stabilize the region and prevent a resource grab by other nations. On the other hand, it could also lead to increased exploitation of fossil fuels, exacerbating climate change.

What’s clear is that Malta, as a small island nation, has a crucial role to play in international climate negotiations. We must continue to push for ambitious climate action, both at home and abroad. We must also ensure that our voice is heard in discussions about the Arctic, a region that may seem far away, but whose fate is intrinsically linked to our own.

As Kerry’s visit to the Arctic underscores, the US is taking a keen interest in the region. It’s time for Malta to do the same. Let’s not be spectators in this Arctic drama. Let’s be active participants, advocating for a future that’s sustainable, not just for the Arctic, but for all of us, from the icy shores of Greenland to the sun-drenched streets of Valletta.

Malta can’t control US policy in the Arctic, but we can control our own actions. Here are a few steps we can take:

• Strengthen our climate policies. We need to do more to reduce our own greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
• Engage in international climate negotiations. We must ensure that our voice is heard in discussions about the Arctic and climate change.
• Promote sustainable tourism. As an island nation, tourism is a key part of our economy. But we must ensure that it’s sustainable and doesn’t contribute to climate change.

In the words of former Maltese President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, “Malta is not just a small island in the middle of the Mediterranean. It is a global player, a global citizen, and a global leader in the fight against climate change.” Let’s live up to that legacy.