armadillo

Photo credit: thienzieyung During the past few months, and under high pressure put by the European Union, Greece has started to adopt a greener policy. Among other measures and actions, eco-friendly plastic bags were introduced into the market, bio-eco products were widely advertised and each municipality planted more flowers in their area, also encouraging citizens to ‘green’ their homes. But one of the biggest issues, reducing the use of cars at the city centre, is still not given proper attention. On the contrary, steps are taken to produce more parking spaces. That measure is totally against all efforts to persuade citizens not to use their cars and prefer the public means of transport. The worst action of all was the destruction of a park in Athens so as to produce a big parking space. The municipality in charge cut down forty trees of the wide-leaf family, which produce big amounts of oxygen. The park was transformed into a huge flat area for cars. Such actions discontinue projects for a greener city. Forty trees may not sound like a big number, but if this action is not condemned then soon it will be another green park and then another. Not to mention that the more parking spaces produced, the more people rely on their private cars. It is not only a matter of how many trees are left in the city- which alone is a major issue- but also a matter of whether citizens are encouraged to use the public means of transport. It should be added, however, that the majority of citizens were against this action, and demanded that green parks are preserved. This is not enough though, as measures against the environment should be condemned by really boycotting parking conveniences and using the public means of transport.

Right after the industrial revolution, the exploitation of natural resources by human societies increased at top speed. Fossil fuels are ever since the main source of energy used to cover most of our needs. This made people believe that they do not depend on renewable energy, but can survive only by using old technological inventions. However, as it takes millions of years for fossil fuels to be created, being extracted in such an alarming pace means that we will sooner or later run out. Only then will people realize how much we wrongly depend on them. Production of all kinds of goods, heating and transportation are only few of the fields that will be directly affected. But even if fossil fuels were an infinite source of energy, they are the main reason why huge quantities of carbon dioxide accumulates in the atmosphere, causing the greenhouse effect as well as acid rain, breathing problems and destruction of natural habitats. Concequently, scientists should concentrate on creating and improving the ways we use alternative sources of energy. Making these sources more effective and easy to use, humanity will be able to wean off fossil fuels and face climate change. Generous fundings are given to laboratories dealing with medical care and weaponary. It is time that we realise that fossil fuels should not play the dominant role in producing energy, and thus major steps should be taken.

During the last few years societies familiarise quickly with environmental issues. The First and the Second World residents get gradually informed about problems such as climate change and the greenhouse effect, that take place due to human activity. Wealthy people from the upper classes of society have many opportunities to get involved in these problems, to raise their own and other people's awareness, and to contribute financially. However, this is not the case when it comes to lower ranks. It seems that poverty is a barrier in taking part in solving environmental problems. For example, it is said that we should prefer bio-eco products for a greener life. Those products can be recycled or/and recyclable, manufactured in environmental friendly ways, without the use of toxic substances or chemicals. But all these features make them very expensive as well. So, the poorer people have to keep buying the cheapest products, and thus promoting the continuous manufacture and use of unhealthy and pollutant products. In addition to this, poor people usually have to work hard to make a living. That makes them focus on their personal problems and the exhaustion caused by them, ignoring all other issues. Consequently, most of them are not interested in environmental problems and do not consider getting involved as a possible option. Due to the tough living conditions, lower ranks are also unable to concentrate on deeper education. However, education is crucial when it comes to raising awareness.