The ecological disasters in Greece

Greece is known all over the world for its islands, clean beaches and the lush green nature that dominates in the mountainous parts of the mainland. However, things are getting dangerous over the years and, unless we all pay attention, the beautiful and rejuvenating Greek environment will start to decline.

Greece is mostly a mountainous country and almost 25% of the territory is covered with forests, making it the fourth largest country in Europe with respect to forest resources. The majority of the forests in Greece are natural and not technical.

Wildfires in Greece

Summers are characterized by uncontrolled wildfires in Greece. The country is often hit by consecutive heat waves (45°C) which, along with the strong winds and the low relative humidity (9%), result in forest fires breaking out. According to the European Space Agency (ESA), Greece experiences more wildfire activity during the summers than other European countries have over the last decade.

Forest fires have been present in Greece, a Mediterranean country with long history, from the ancient times. However they have become a serious problem in the last few decades resulting in large burnt areas, significant property destruction and even loss of life.

Arsonism in Greece

More than 95% of the fires are due to human causes. There is a general tendency of people to believe that most fires are deliberate, started by people who want to achieve gains on public land, taking advantage of the lack of a complete land cadaster, or want to build homes in forested areas where this is prohibited. Although the existence of such motives cannot be questioned in some cases, there is a multitude of other reasons behind deliberate arson.

Negligence is the most common cause. Education of people about fires is relatively poor. Furthermore, the general belief that “arsonists” are the overwhelming reason behind the fires, which is “cultivated” by the mass media, leading to indifference and negligent behavior of the people , does not help in reducing the number of fires that are due to negligence.

Fortunately, except for the Greek State, individuals have also taken strong ecological action. Many environmental organizations have been set up, whose role is very important. People in Greece are just learning to take part in recycling. Tree planting is organized to areas that were burnt, so that illegal building is prevented. Volunteer teams are set to watch forests in summer, clean beaches and organize meetings on environmental issues.

Litter in Greece

Another ecological problem in Greece has to do with the thousands of beaches. The large number of tourists that overflow Greece and the Greek islands every summer may leave cigarette trashes, bottles, cans or plastic bags behind, so beaches are left dirty. At this point, it is certainly a great responsibility of the state to put more bins in the beach resorts and arrange cleaning teams to keep the beach clean and tidy. However, it is a duty of all visitors, too, to respect the environment.

Unfortunately, the Greek State has decided to take ecological actions only in the last years. However, they say that it is never too late. The Greek Minister of Environment, with special controls every year, testifies the cleanness of beaches. It protects the biotopes that have been included in the European Programme Natura 2000 that includes protection of the flora and fauna of these biotopes. It imposes certain rules for factories to reduce gas emission and to car owners to take care of their cars. There are also rules for individuals. For example, it is forbidden, even to campers, to light up fires in the woods.

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There is hope!!!�Locals paint the garbage bins and change the mood in their village. With a simple move, residents of Apikoia on the island of Andros changed the look of their village. They painted the ugly garbage bins in bright colors and the landscape and the mood changed immediately.�All they needed for this pioneer action was good will and inspiration, a few liters of paint, brushes and eager hands.���

Moreover, foundations have been established to protect the animals, such as the Arktouros Society for the protection of wild bear in Epirus and the Aegina Wildlife Hospital that works as a rehabilitation center for the sick or wounded animals and birds. Furthermore, the action is taken to stop overbuilding on the islands, so that their pure landscape remains untouched. New ecology websites and forums also inform people of the dangers that the Greek environment faces and to promote a new, environmental-friendly attitude.

Water and sea pollution

The most important marine pollution involves discharges of ship fuel, untreated discharges of municipal and industrial liquid and solid waste, agricultural nitrates and stock farming effluents, depletion of marine species by overfishing, overexploitation of living marine resources and coastal loss of marine habitat. The rapid expansion of tourism and urbanization (roads, houses and hotels) in coastal areas threatens marine and coastal degradation.

Sewage remains the largest source of pollution due to lack of modern sewerage networks. In the last decades Greek scientists established monitoring projects for the most important marine gulfs in Greece. Improvements in the quality of seawater was established in the last decade with the completion of sewage works in many Greek cities.

Air pollution

Air pollution is a complex environmental and social issue, too. It poses a high risk to human health as it is related to cardiorespiratory disease and cancer. At the same time, it impacts the economy, adding to the health expenditure and reducing productivity. Air pollution also has important effects to the natural environment affecting ecosystems, soil and water quality and vegetation. Moreover, it interacts with the climate, since several main pollutants behave as climate forcers.

Smog in Athens vs a bright day

Ecology is a really fragile issue in Greece and the Greek islands. It is our responsibility to protect the area we live in and the country we visit.