Ushering in a new, greener culture
The impressive protest rally outside Parliament yesterday calling for the immediate reforestation of Mount Parnitha is a sign of optimism. Greece’s civil society is gradually awakening but a demonstration alone is not enough. In the wake of the devastating forest fires that ravaged the area, there is a need for careful monitoring and active participation to reforest what has been lost and protect what is left. The current state of the country’s forests does not do us credit: The remaining forests are full of litter, making them even more vulnerable to arson attacks. Civil society must move from passive protest to active participation. Protecting our forests is also a question of culture. But it is also about endless struggle, an effort that demands more than a one-off protest about an environmental disaster.
