Greece: The climate crisis is here Skai.gr

Extreme heat, forest fires in huge areas and then floods. The inhabitants of Evia experienced this year in the most tragic way what climate change means. The beekeeper George Gerogiannis lived perhaps the most difficult summer of his professional life at least. He lives by selling honey and candle to tourists in the summer. But it remains uncertain whether he will be able to stand on his own two feet until next summer. “More than half of my beehives were destroyed. The fire destroyed us. If they do not give us money, grants to help us, we will be forced to change jobs. “Some people have already started to leave the beehives” says the beekeeper from Evia.

And Giannis Mastrogiannis lives in southern Evia. He escaped the devastating fires and his bees survived. However, they are still in danger. “And for us here, who are on the verge of fire, the problem is big, because the prefecture that existed no longer exists. In the few prefectures that exist, in the small areas that have remained, there will be a crowd of bees “.

Those beekeepers from northern Evia who managed to save their bees, are now trying to set up hives in the south of the island. As a result, food for all bees is limited, while at the same time they have become more susceptible to disease. All this can also affect honey production. Giannis Mastrogiannis observes that the new situation leads beekeepers and locals to constant disputes over where to set up their production.

Greek scientists are sounding the alarm

The Greek government announced in the summer that it will provide 500 million euros for the victims of the fires in Evia and Attica. Respective aid packages to deal with the effects of climate change could be more frequent in the future, if climate change continues at the current pace, according to Emeritus Professor of Meteorology and Climatology Christos Zerefos. As he explains: “The result of the prolonged heat is the forest fires. Deforestation causes floods and floods erode the soil. This in turn leads to desertification. This is the biggest danger for Greece “.

In fact, in a study on behalf of the Bank of Greece, Christos Zerefos and other scientists accurately identify the ecological, economic and social effects of climate change in Greece. The total damage from climate change could reach € 700 billion by the end of the century: more than double the current national debt.

At the Climate Conference held in Glasgow, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced a new climate law in Greece on the basis of the Paris Agreement. The goal is to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions by at least 55% by 2030, through complete decontamination of carbon by 2028. However, for some time now the expansion of renewable energy sources in Greece has met resistance. 20 years ago, Greece was the fourth largest producer of lignite in Europe. Even today, about 10,000 jobs depend on him. Critics accuse the government of building wind farms, for example, without taking into account the natural environment and the local population. Christos Zerefos, however, remains optimistic and notes in closing: “It is the beginning of a new era, so mistakes will happen, I am sure. But it is good that we are starting now. “

Verene Shelters, BR (Athens)

Edited by: Dimitra

DW