Greece and the Environment
A young environmentalist, Tina Birbili, has been put in charge of the newly created Environment, Energy and Climate Change Ministry. One can only congratulate the new Socialist government (PASOK) for such a step; though we'll have to see whether or not there's more to it than just the concept of turning Greece into a more "green" country - and I don't mean just olive trees.
Naturally, given the present times and the fact that this is Greece, Tina Birbili's task is daunting and one can only hope that this fresh and dynamic looking woman (1 of 9 in the new cabinet) can make an impact. The problems she is facing, together with all of us who live here, are not only difficult to resolve but they usually cost money and - some of them - will surely be opposed by the interests of big business.
Photo: Athens News, Issue 13361
Environment, Energy and Climate Change minister Tina Birbili has to deal with the following:
- Depletion of water resources and preventing water scarcity
- General pollution of air, water, and earth
- Deforestation of wide stretches of the country
- Switching to renewable energy sources
- Keep GM (genetically modified) Food from invading the Greek environment
- Waste management
- Environmental education
- Dealing with the various problems arising from world-wide climate change