A to Z of healing & creating a safer Greece

August 31, 2007 at 19:28 · Filed under Environment

If the government can turn this red flag into an opportunity to change and reform — and residents of Greece keep constant pressure on them — I believe Greece can recover and prevent future wildfires, which would enable its people, the economy and the environment to heal.

Aid

- Emergency aid of 3,000 per home and 10,000 per life is available through banks and municipalities. Call ‘1555′ for information and assistance.
- Abuses have already been reported, with non-victims making multiple claims in several villages, however the Economy Ministry has tried to resolve this by requesting additional documents, making arrests and implementing a 5-year jail sentence. It amazes me that something like this can happen in a country renowned for its gauntlet of bureaucracy
- Bureaucracy blocks reconstruction: Not a cent of the 162 million euros has been distributed to victims; only money distributed has gone to flood control in Olympia. Finance Ministry will not release funds. (January 2008)

Bureaucracy

- Simplifying processes to be more straightforward, while keeping reasonably strict checks in place, so honest people in need get the attention and assistance they deserve and fraudsters are kept at bay
- This country is still learning efficiency, so please be patient (however painful): When an Albanian woman working at a hotel was killed, the body of a Greek woman was mistakenly sent to Albania for burial to the horror of her relatives, who had to return the body and order an investigation.

Claim EU funds

- Since 2000, Greece has 24 million for forest protection, 9 million for the Seih-Sou forest near Thessaloniki (which burned down this weekend) and 80 percent of 91.6 million for environmental projects — all unclaimed
- This is in addition to the 120 million we pay in taxes annually
- A economy minister flew to Brussels and requested emergency aid, and secured 200 million now for the regeneration of and 400 million to follow later (this is in addition to 4 million from Australia, 70 million from Greek banks, 950,000 from the USA and 720,000 from China, 500,000 from the Church of Greece). I desperately hope that this aid will be used appropriately and not fall victim to corruptive ills.

Don’t give in to unjustified claims

- Conspiracy: It’s amusingly sad and frightening to hear a prime minister speak about such things, especially since there’s no proof that Turks, Americans or Albanians want to destabilize or undermine Greece…seriously, what would they have to gain? (i.e. Did Sakis Rouvas place second at Eurovision in Turkey because of some destabilizing plot? No, he just didn’t shake it hard enough or something — did you see him fall at Athens 2004?).
- Terrorism: There is a huge difference between real terrorism and speculative claims based on two cell phones or a few small-time criminals who are angry and seek an outlet for their frustration. i.e. The American Embassy was hit by a rocket; it’s not terrorism, it’s a rocket.
- Arson: Though there is some basis to such claims, the 23 people arrested back in July after the first spate of blazes were not charged or prosecuted, and evidence must be produced to convict. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty. (Would you want someone to blame you without having the chance to defend yourself?) — Follow-up: Still no real arrests, and it’s now October

Equipment maintenance

- Fire trucks, equipment and communication need to be updated, checked and maintained on a regular basis to respond quickly and efficiently, without waiting for backup or wasting precious time
- Extinguishing blazes in Parnitha, Penteli and Pelion encountered challenges due to faltering equipment

Forest registry

- Greece remains the only country in the EU without a forest registry (started in 2009), and needs one desperately, along with updated maps
- Without them, the State cannot prosecute those who illegally seize and develop property after forested areas have been cleared
- There are an estimated 100,000 illegal homes, with 70-80 percent in Attica

Green areas

- Instead of creating a giant park in Helleniko, which won’t even be complete until 2012, spread green areas around cities like Thessaloniki, Athens, Argos and Larisa.
- Green areas provide oxygen and cooling while dispersing pollution, making them easier to create on a small scale and spreading a lesser amount of responsibility/cost to local governments

Habits

- Not flicking cigarettes out the car window or dropping them on the ground near dried vegetation or paper can go a long way (even in urban areas)
- Use roasting fires and campfires responsibility: Clear dried vegetation from the surrounding area, have a fire extinguisher nearby and keep an eye on ash or other burning debris
- Don’t burn garbage
- In rural areas, make a habit of trimming trees/clearing forest floors or ask municipalities for assistance

Incentive

- Homes that were leveled will be rebuilt by the State
- Homeowners with partial damage will be compensated 50 percent by a State subsidy and 50 percent in an interest-free loan
- It is vitally important to support people who choose to live outside city limits since big city ills would only worsen with increased migration and crowding (pollution, traffic, strained public services, jobs)
- Residents who live near forests already provide vital firefighting support and services, and it’s important to recognize their contribution by increasing salaries, making them full-time employees and providing them with proper equipment and protective clothing

Jobs

- Unemployment is high and parks/firefighting services are understaffed. Kill two birds with one stone.
- People are eager to learn, provide assistance and get paid while protecting their country
- Volunteers would appreciate being paid employees, even if it’s a wage without benefits since many already have day jobs

Kits

- People in rural or island locations need fire kits
- A small investment in providing supplies, or a reimbursement program for those who get fire extinguishers, a water reserve with hose/pump, wool blankets, ladder, rakes, brooms, boots and a first aid kit could go a long way in saving lives and homes, while also saving the State’s money in the long-term

Lease or purchase aircraft

- Instead of making several passes with smaller Canadairs, a better buy and more effective aircraft is the Russian Beriev because it can drop 12 tonnes of water at one time

Municipalities

- Local government has the power to act without assistance or prior consent of the State; these are community heroes
- Be active in and support your community, call the municipality with concerns

No shame in asking

- If you or someone you know is unsure of something, ask someone or a higher authority or get on the Internet to find the answer.
- Where is the stupidity in saving a home or someone’s life?

Ounce of prevention, worth a pound in cure

- It’s a different way of thinking and its obstacle is culture and tradition

Push an agenda

- If you believe in something or have knowledge to share, do so gently and choose a time when someone is ready to listen
- Be relentless with local and State governments when it comes to advocating the greater good and improving the community

Question

- Never be afraid to question the State, your local government, public services

Reforestation

- A minimum of 5,000 hectares of new growth is required to keep level; double or triple is needed to compensate for past losses
- Plant Your Roots in Greece
- Cleanup Greece
- Promised reforestation of Parnitha’s century-old pines upon consultation with experts
- Affected areas also need measures to prepare for inevitable floods caused by the absence of trees; the floods in Kassandra last year (and now) are the result of the area’s previous forest fires

Sensors and cameras

- In the 1980s, Pasok entertained the idea of placing heat sensors and cameras in forests, but never followed through.
- Since the Athens 2004 Olympics, there is a 250 million security system that can now be converted or moved to accomplish this

Training

- In the media, there were comments made by firefighters than there were finally some professionals who knew what they were doing with help arrived from neighboring EU countries
- The people of Greece are eager and able to learn if someone would teach and train them
- Bring in professionals from other countries, if there is a shortage of experienced staff within the country

Unite forest and fire services

- In the 1990s, the forest and fire services were split, making hierarchy fuzzy and dividing an otherwise unified force; earlier this year, the public minister entertained the idea of reuniting them, but never did
- Clearly these forces are better together than apart since forest services tend to prevention and have essential knowledge about forested areas, and firefighters need this information to effectively extinguish a fast-moving wildfire

Vegetation and forest floor clearing

Water

- Instead of dumping fresh water from the sewage plant of Psyttaleia into the ocean, it could be reserved for fighting fires

eXodus of Vyron Polydoras

- He ordered that firefighting aircraft not use water on Parnitha to avoid power line failure, even though the PPC had turned that grid off
- He decided against the purchase of firefighting aircraft to expand the fleet, calling them cost-prohibitive and unprofitable
- He is unreachable when local governments request urgent help
- He stated that there was better advanced planning this year for the fire season
- He refused to sign a bilateral accord with Russia that offered Greece firefighting manpower, aircraft, supplies and maintenance with shared costs

whY not volunteer

- Forest Protection Volunteers of Attica (EDASA), 12 Ag. Konstantinou Street, 104 31 Omonia, Tel: (210) 520-0680. E-mail: edasa@otenet.gr or skrem@panteion.gr

Ζωα (Animals)

- Last but not least, animals are affected by drastic events like fires and the devastation of their natural environment, food and water sources
- Two organizations I respect after having consistently positive personal experiences are: Arcturos and MEDSOS

(Article updated January 8, 2008)

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Thank you for a peaceful demonstration

August 30, 2007 at 12:24 · Filed under Environment

More than 10,000 peaceful demonstrators crowded Syntagma Square last night and stood silently before the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to honor those who lost their lives or were left homeless by the spate of deadly wildfires this past week. The protest was organized by bloggers, text messages and mass e-mails.

Most wore black as a sign of mourning or held black flags with non-political messages. Leftists carrying political signs were booed by the crowd, and a small amount of unrest by this same group was handled quickly by riot police.

Thank you to those who were able to come join us.

Readers: As I’ve not slept for more than 72 hours straight, I hope to be back tomorrow to start posting on three things: a checklist of what needs to be done, the future and my last thoughts.

Photos from the Kathimerini

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Floges and togas — Greece afire

August 26, 2007 at 23:58 · Filed under Environment

The first time I heard the word ‘φλογα’ used with frequency was during Athens 2004, when the modern Olympic Games finally returned home.

Lit by the sun and kept burning throughout the Games, it symbolizes the divine fire stolen from Zeus by Prometheus in mythology and kept burning at the altar of Hestia in Ancient Olympia. In 2004, the Olympic flame was accidentally extinguished by a gust of wind the night before its global relay.

Three years later, as I watch Ancient Olympia burning and gale force winds exacerbate flames that are seemingly eternal, ‘φλογα’ has come to symbolize something very real and different.

List of Major Fires, from Athens to Zacharo

By no means is this an exhaustive list of every fire in Greece, but these were/are the major ones listed in chronological order. Clicking each one brings you to a related article I sourced from the Kathimerini, Athens News or BBC.

Mani and Halkidiki

Mount Parnitha

Athens, Elounda (Crete), Larisa, Pindus Mountains, Poros, Samos and Zakynthos

Mount Pelion

Crete

Skiathos

Andros, Evia, Keratea, Lesvos and Seikh Sou Forest (near Thessaloniki)

Imittos (Athens)

Ancient Corinth, Dervenaki and Zakynthos

Kefallonia

Athens, Patra, Penteli (Athens), Rafina and Vrillisia

Mount Parnassos, Salamina (near Piraeus) and Stamata (Athens)

Penteli (Athens) again

Mandra (west of Athens)

Zacharo

Arta, Elefsina, Evia, Ioannina, Kastoria, Lakonia and Messinia

Olympia

Ilieas

Kefallonia (again)

Kerkyra (Corfu)

Papagou, Imittos (Athens) again

What Greece was promised

In 2004, New Democracy made promises that impacted this summer’s events, but kept only three:

x Organize NGO and private sector participation in policy planning

√ Create nationwide zoning plan
(Implementation and enforcement are different matters)

x Reduce air pollution

x Manage traffic environmentally

√ Create green spaces in cities
(Likely due to Athens 2004, but still insufficient. i.e. Schinias and the old Athens airport at Helleniko)

√ Promote recycling
(Marginally successful)

x Compile forest registry
(The most recent battle broke out in May 2007, stalling forward progress)

x Increase firefighting measures

x Increase reforestation rates

Years ago, Independent MP Stephanos Manos proposed a plan to green areas of Athens to disperse pollution, instead of creating one large park in Helleniko — his plan was labeled “radical” and never materialized, much like the park now scheduled for completion by 2012.

Back in March, the ministry stated that 109 million euros would be spent on improving road networks in forest areas and clearing some or all vegetation in areas around campsites, power stations and other buildings to avert the breakout of fires in the summer months.

Back in May, the general secretariat for civil protection announced that it would issue a daily color-coded map denoting areas of forest fire risk on a scale of 1 to 5 during fire season — May 1 to October 30. It is unclear whether pertinent information reached the right people and if resources were actually made available to lower the risk.

What can be done now?

No matter who or what is responsible, spending time and energy on assigning blame and making excuses is pointless — the past is over and cannot be changed. What empowers people is the knowledge of what can be done now and in the future. It is your choice to be part of the solution or not.

All action, no matter how small, is a step in the right direction.

For residents:

1. Don’t flick cigarettes out the car window while driving or on the ground near dried grass, paper or plants — Many forest fires are started this way

2. Don’t burn garbage

3. Make certain that roasting/cooking fires are controlled — Keep an eye on burning ashes, coals or kindling that can fly away or make contact with grass, brush, etc.

4. Request or lodge a complaint that your municipality trim trees away from power lines or remove dried brush that pose a fire hazard if you cannot do it yourself

5. Face mirrors away from direct sunlight

6. Homes in rural and remote areas should be armed with fire extinguishers, a water reserve with hose/pump, wool blankets, ladder, rakes, brooms, boots and a first aid kit. Some people also put important documents, photos and other valuables in a fireproof safe, just in case.

7. Be alert and report suspicious activity to authorities — Police and rangers are understaffed, they need your help to keep the country and your home safe. A one million euro reward is also being offered by the Alpha channel

8. Support responsible reforestation and treeplanting — Cleanup Greece, Plant Your Roots in Greece and other organizations have programs with scheduled plantings in carefully selected areas of need. Forest Protection Volunteers of Attica (EDASA) also appreciates volunteers. 12 Ag. Konstantinou Street, 104 31 Omonia, Tel: (210) 520-0680. E-mail: edasa@otenet.gr or skrem@panteion.gr

9. Donate to a special fund — Individuals wishing make donations can visit the branch of any commercial bank and make a deposit to Account no. 2341103053 of the Bank of Greece.

10. Vote — If you’re a Greek citizen who thinks your vote doesn’t matter, think again. Use your power to choose someone that can change Greece and the course of your life. If you don’t vote, you have no right to complain for the next 4 years.

People are recommended against going to affected areas to help because it blocks roads and puts inexperienced untrained people at risk. Should more people be injured and die, it only puts more stress on overworked firefighting and emergency personnel.

For Greeks and Philhellenes abroad:

Endorsed by the World Council of Hellenes Abroad, American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association and the Hellenic American National Council, “Plant Your Roots in Greece” accepts donations and initiates careful plantings to reforest Greece. See their donation info or PDF.

AHEPA has also set up a fund for emergency relief, which can be found here. My personal experience with this reputable and active organization has been nothing but positive.

There is nothing more you can do to help, but pray for those who are affected. The EU has sent professionally trained personnel, along with the necessary firefighting equipment to assist Greece.

Travel to Greece

If you have an upcoming trip to Greece, you must decide if you feel safe and wish to continue living your life as planned. I traveled abroad from New York a few days after 9/11 because I felt no imminent threat, while many canceled their flights. It’s a uniquely personal choice.

Many areas are affected, many are not. There have been fires nearly every day in Athens since the end of June and at no time was the airport or the country of Greece closed for business. It is still a beautiful country, and your tourism could fuel this country’s recovery for which the people of Greece would be grateful.

Personal note

Being an advocate of environmental issues and a resident Philhellene, I struggled to organize objective information while staving off emotions such as anger, frustration and despair. I become quiet when I see other people in pain, and today I’ve been very quiet.

Photos from NASA and the BBC

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