Citizens set the example to follow
The many legal loopholes allowing illegal construction on Mount Hymettus, the toxic substances detected in the water not far from Athens in the Asopos River, and the air pollution over the western Macedonia region from the operation of the steam-electric power plant are all proof that the Greek state is turning a blind eye to environmental problems. Some would even go as far as saying that the state is actually contributing to the ongoing destruction of what is the country’s greatest natural and profit-making resource – the environment. At the same time, the thousands of volunteers who have given up their free time to take part in the numerous reforestation campaigns around the region of Attica over the last few weeks are a hopeful sign of a society that is fully aware of the magnitude of the problem. This is proof that we have a society that reacts. It is high time that this country’s politicians understood this very clear message and that they began to respond to the understandable concern as well as the anger of the people.
