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G?afe?? ?e?te??ß??µ?a? ??pa?de?s?? ?a?d?tsa?
G?µ??s?? ???e?? ???e??? ?ata????a?
43300 ?ata????a ?a?d?tsa?
???. - Fax 24430 41018 24430 41421
E-mail mail_at_gym-matar.kar.sch.gr
2'SUN, WIND, HYDRO THE FUTURE OF MANKIND'
2009-1-CY1-COM06-00467
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- Greece and the Environment
3Environmental Policy
4- Responsibility for environmental matters on the
national level lies with the Ministry for the
Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works. - Greece has adopted an environmentally friendly
policy applied in all sectors through national
legislation, adoption of European environmental
laws, and participation in international
agreements concerning the protection of the
environment. However, less progress has been
achieved regarding energy taxation and more has
to be done in order to get prices work for the
environment.
5A strong tradition of environmental NGOs
6- Conservation and management of the environment
depend on the activity of non-governmental
organisations that focus on environmental issues.
Most of the Greek organisations undertake
actions, which are limited in number and scope
and for the most part involve issues of local
importance, perhaps focusing on the protection of
a specific species of plant or animal. - Some NGOs represent the Greek branches of
organisations active in many countries others
are purely Greek in origin.
7A strong tradition of environmental NGOs
8- Environmental NGOs are also very important for
public involvement in the collection of
environmental information, and in the evaluation
of the need for information, which can
significantly increase the likelihood of correct
decisions being made.
9Management and protection of bio-diversity
10- In Greece 5,500 species of flora and 900 species
of fauna have been recognised. Many of them are
rare and endemic. There are also many protected
areas, a significant number of which is of
international interest, and Greece has been
committed to their protection through
international conventions. Inductively there are
10 National parks, 11Wetlands of international
interest, 51 preserved natural monuments, 300
bio-topes, 113 important areas for the birds of
Europe etc. There are also 265 areas which have
been proposed for the Natura 2000 network.
11Management and protection of bio-diversity
12- The main problems for Greek ecosystems which are
of great value are caused by intensive human
activities (tourism, mining, agriculture, animal
grazing etc.) which result in the degradation of
bio-topes and the diminution of floras and
faunas population. Since the Earth Summit in
1992, Greece has been implementing a
comprehensive policy towards sustainable
development. The main aim of actions taken on the
management and protection of bio-diversity is to
provide the knowledge and the facilities for
monitoring, protecting and managing the flora and
fauna species.
13Management and protection of bio-diversity
14- A major problem for Greek forest ecosystems is
that of forest fires. - The lack of a forest cadastre encourages the
process of illegal settling and building on the
areas of forest which have been burnt. A huge
effort has been launched quite recently with the
cadastral survey of the country. According to the
Greek Constitution the reforestation of the burnt
forests and forest areas is obligatory while any
change in the forest land use is prohibited. The
completion of the forest cadastre is expected to
protect forest land from illegal grape.
15Management and protection of bio-diversity
16- The forest Services have been provided with the
necessary infrastructure, but there is still lack
of adequate trained staff and laxity in the
observance of the law.The Local Authorities and
particularly the Central Union of Local
Authorities of Greece in order to address this
problem have also undertaken many actions, such
as organizing groups of voluntary firemen and
local civilians that proved to be very efficient.
17Management and protection of bio-diversity
18- Desertification in Greece is a gradually emerging
danger. This is a result of the countrys
geological, topographical and climatic
characteristics, which cause soil erosion, often
leading to the final and almost total loss of
productivity, as well as the drastic reduction of
water resources.
19Coastal zones-Marine environment
20- Greece gives high priority to the protection of
the marine environment and the sustainable
development of coastal areas and islands. The
countrys coastline of 15,021 km is the most
extensive among all Mediterranean countries. This
coastline is evenly distributed between the
continental part of the country and the Greek
islands, which number approximately 3,000. The
coastal area contains diverse and productive
ecosystems that house many rare species in need
of protection (e.g. sea turtle Caretta - caretta,
monk seal Monachus - monachus etc.).
21Coastal zones-Marine environment
22- The high coastal concentration of population and
economic activities generates pressure to coastal
areas. - Non-built up and natural conservation areas have
decreased and the coastal landscape has been
altered in the recent years. At the same time
pollution problems have emerged in enclosed seas
and bays.
23Coastal zones-Marine environment
24- Therefore, actions have been taken aiming at the
development of the necessary infrastructure for
oil spill treatment and reception facilities for
oil and chemical residues from ships. - Cleaning and restoration projects have been
carried out as well. The Greek Ministry for the
Environment has established an integrated network
for monitoring the quality of sea water.
25Coastal zones-Marine environment
26- Greece gives special importance to, and is
involved in the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP),
which operates in the framework of Barcelona
Convention. UNEPs programme MAP concerns the
protection of the Mediterranean basin from
pollution coming from land based activities - Consequently, a great number of bathing beaches
has been awarded the EU Blue Flag.
27WASTE MANAGEMENT
28- One of the major environmental problems of Greece
was, until recently, the lack of management
(collection, treatment, disposal) of solid and
toxic wastes. - Therefore in many-uncontrolled waste disposal
areas there are odours, pollution of surface and
underground waters, air and soil pollution, fire
danger and aesthetic pollution.
29WASTE MANAGEMENT
30- On the national level, technical specifications
for the safe handling of waste are being
determined. A system of permits was introduced
for the collection and transport of solid waste.
Legislation has been issued aimed at reducing air
pollution from waste incineration plants.
Threshold limits have been established for heavy
metals in sewage sludge used in agriculture.
Activities were initiated to promote waste
prevention and recycling. Recycling programmes
are being implemented for paper, glass and
aluminium. Programmes are being introduced for
the reduction of weight and volume of packaging
material.
31WASTE MANAGEMENT
32- Awareness campaigns are being carried out.
Responsibilities for waste management have been
delegated to local authorities. The management of
liquid waste is focused on the treatment of
liquid waste at the national scale with the
construction of waste treatment facilities in
settlement larger than 15,000 inhabitants.
National legislation provides for planning of the
management of toxic and dangerous waste,
procedures for the transport of dangerous waste,
special permits for the disposal and storage of
dangerous waste and measures for building
facilities for toxic residues at ports.
33Atmospheric pollution
34- Atmospheric pollution has been facing Greece for
the last 30 years and is related to urbanism and
economic development. The region of Attica faces
the most significant problems due to the climatic
features, heavy traffic and unfavourable
topography for the dispersion of atmospheric
pollution. Measures for the solution of the
problem are targeting at the reduction of SO2 and
Pb high emission rates. - The measures that have been taken for the
reduction of SO2 included the prohibition of
crude oil utilisation to central heating and
continuous reduction of S content into crude oil
and diesel.
35Atmospheric pollution
36- As far as Pb is concerned air pollution has been
reduced due to the use of unleaded gasoline. - Environmental Services have taken a series of
measures concerning central heating, improvement
of fuel quality, replenishment of old cars and
traffic improvements (e.g. construction of the
metro in Athens and Salonica) etc.
37Atmospheric pollution
38- The noise zones in Greece are the urban areas and
mainly Athens which accommodates 40of the Greek
population, 35 of industrial and handicraft
activities and 70 of Public Services. Other
noise zones are the main arterial roads,
industries, ports, airports, tourist resorts and
construction sites. - The Greek government has elaborated a National
Action Programme for Climate Change, joining the
global effort to protect our planet.
39Atmospheric pollution
40- The program consists of the introduction of
Natural Gas in the national energy and renewable
energy sources exploitation) energy conservation
in the domestic, commercial and public sectors,
technological interventions in industry and
transports.
41Water resources
42- Uneven distribution of activities in the country
has resulted in water demands which often can not
be covered by local water resources and therefore
rational water resources management on a national
level is a high priority in Greece. Besides,
urban, industrial and agricultural liquid waste
is responsible for the pollution of fresh waters
in Greece. - Management of the quality and quantity of the
water in lakes and river Deltas, where there are
important bio-topes, is of utmost significance.
43Water resources
44- In Greece, irrigation is of paramount importance
for agricultural productivity. It accounts for
over 80 of total water abstractions. The major
Greek rivers (Axios, Strymon, Nestos, Evros) have
their springs in other countries while two of the
main lakes (Doirani and Prespes) are
international. - For the above reasons, co-operation with the
neighbouring countries for the management of
fresh waters is essential for Greece.
45Land and urban planning / aesthetic pollution
- Inadequate land and urban planning during 1950-80
has resulted in the gradual degradation of the
natural and urban environment in many areas of
the country. - The National Action Plan for Cities and Housing
has two main objectives the creation of cities
which provide safe, healthy, equal and
sustainable living conditions and the guarantee
of adequate housing for all.
46- In Greece, irrigation is of paramount importance
for agricultural productivity. It accounts for
over 80 of total water abstractions. The major
Greek rivers (Axios, Strymon, Nestos, Evros) have
their springs in other countries while two of the
main lakes (Doirani and Prespes) are
international. - For the above reasons, co-operation with the
neighbouring countries for the management of
fresh waters is essential for Greece.
47Land and urban planning / aesthetic pollution
48- National actions taken with regard to human
settlement development are emphasis on the
development of urban plans for real estate
located in ecologically sensitive areas, coastal
zones and islands. protection of historical and
traditional sites aiming at the improvement of
urban conditions in selected Greek cities,
traditional settlements and tourist sites, in
order to improve living standards and working
conditions.
49Environmental education
50- The Ministry of Education aims at the
reorientation of education towards sustainable
development. In this context, it has established
Environmental Education Centres (E.E.C.), where
students participate in special Environmental
Education programmes. The E.E.C. also organise
special Environmental Education training
programmes for employees, local communities,
organisations, teachers etc.
51Environmental education
52- A systematic co-operation has been established on
special pedagogical Environmental Education pilot
projects, with major Environmental groups such as
WWF, the Goulandri Museum of Natural History,
Greenpeace, etc. - Two Greek Ministries and the USA have signed an
intergovernmental Co-operation Agreement for the
global network GLOBE that concerns the creation
of environmental stations in schools.
53Official Source
- Ministry for the Environment, Physical Planning
Public Works (www.minenv.gr)
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