Most Important Statements

1. Factories dispose of their waste into the sea, heavily polluting Greece's water.
2. Greece has completely drained many lakes to generate hydroelectric power or to expand agricultural land.
3. Diminished water quantity/quality in rivers and lakes has caused water shortages and limited the growth of vegetation.
4. Acid rain disrupts ecosystem nutrient flows and can kill certain freshwater fish and plants.
5. The wind transports sulfur dioxide from industrial centers to neighboring countries.
6. Personal automobiles and volcanoes emit very high levels of carbon monoxide (0.73 mil. tons/year, 2007)

Word Combinations

Idea Connections

Connection Matrix

Phase 1 Statements

Framing the Issues in Greece

• Acid rain has dramatic affects on Greece agriculture, lake health, buildings, and monuments.

• A fire in 2008 stripped Greece of a large portion of its forest.

• Natural Resources: Lignite, petroleum, iron ore, bauxite, lead, zinc, nickel, magnesite, marble, salt.

• Due to primarily rocky terrain, Greece contains little arable land (20.45%).

• Air pollution caused several cases of respiratory illness resulting in hospitalization.

• Archipelago of 2000 islands (27% of greece).

• Low population growth rate (0.083%, 2011).

• Subsequent soil erosion makes crop harvesting and reforestation difficult.

• Has very little black coal and lignite (brown coal) is of poor quality.

• Rapidly depleting small petroleum deposit under the Aegean Sea near Thasos.

• Vegetation: Oranges, olives, dates, pomegranates, figs, cotton, tobacco

• Disposing of factory waste into the sea.

• Greece faces frequent severe earthquakes.

• Oil production vs. consumption (6,779 bbl/day vs. 414,400 bbl/day)

• Greece has 9 million cubic meters of natural gas (2004).

• Tourists leave trash on the beaches.

• The Greek State has neglected environmental issues until only recently.

• High mountain rages, rich lowlands, lakes, rivers, forest, coastlines.

• Mount Olympus is noted for rich vegetation and several aquatic species.

• Very high carbon monoxide emissions (0.73 mil tons/yr, 2007).

• The Delta Evrou river is home to more species of birds than any other place in Europe.

• Many of these species are threatened due to loss of their natural habitat.

• Rising sea temperature has allowed invasive sea creatures to wreak havoc on the natural ecosystem. 

• There is an alarming reduction of cattle genetic diversity (only 0.64% are native).

• Greece hosted 538 terrestrial invasive alien species (2008).

• Marine and inland freshwater systems hosted 280 aquatic invasive alien species (2009).

• Land devoured by urban development increased 15% (1990-2000).

• Over half (63%) of the land used for construction has affected natural habitats and ecosystems.

• 18 terrestrial species in Greece are among the 100 Worst Invasive Alien Species (2008).

• Shipping spreads aquatic alien species (23%).

• Mediterranean climate ecosystems are considered among the most threatened by invasive alien species.

• Greece has no stand-alone sustainable agriculture strategy.

• Greek police use super potent, lingering chemical weapons to control citizens.