UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
ISLANDS AND SMALL STATES INSTITUTE
MA –ISSS: SEMESTER EXAMINATION
JANUARY 2010 SESSION
ISS-5001: Overview of Environmental Concerns for Islands and Small States
Date: Thursday 28th January 2010
Time: 5.00pm – 8:00pm
Answer TWO questions from Section A and TWO questions from Section B. Use a
separate booklet for each question. All questions carry 25 marks
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SECTION A
1. Describe two major international conferences that focused on the
sustainable development of small island developing states and briefly discuss
the two major documents that were issued as a result of these conferences.
2. What do you understand by sustainable development? Why is a national sustainable
development strategy useful? What desirable properties should underpin a national
sustainable development strategy? Briefly describe the Sustainable Development
Strategy for the Maltese Islands proposed by the National Commission for
Sustainable Development in 2006.
3. Climate change is an issue of major importance for small island states. Discuss this
statement with special reference to Malta. Describe some mitigation and adaptation
measures and explain why these should be mainstreamed in national development
policies.
4. Discuss the importance of adopting integrated spatial planning systems in the
governance of islands and small states. In your discussion include examples to
explain the advantages of integrated plans over sectoral plans.
SECTION B
5. Give an overview of (a) the features of small islands which render conservation of
biodiversity
more
challenging
than
in
larger
territories
and
(b)
the
main
threats
facing
local
marine
biotic
communities.
In your account, you should make special reference to the Maltese Islands as a case
study.
6. A sound waste management strategy could change the waste problem so that waste
could become a resource. Discuss the characteristics of a sound waste management
strategy, and explain the limitations of islands and small states in dealing with waste
as a resource.
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7. What real and potential water resources are available to small islands? How can an
integrated approach to water resource planning and management assist small islands
in mitigating water scarcity?
8. Most sources of marine pollution arise from land-based activities. What actions can
be taken to reduce this type of pollution through coastal zone management practices?
Illustrate your answer with examples.
9. Describe the main components that may be considered by a small state in drawing up
a strategy, in order to reduce energy use and become less dependent on imported
fossil fuels.
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