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.