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A guide for Climate Change in Tourism. For the Mediterranean and the whole world

Home to over half a billion people, the Mediterranean is the world's primary tourist destination, attracting millions of international tourists every year. However, climate change puts every activity at risk.

The recently published "Blueprint for Tourism Climate Action Plans" is a comprehensive guide designed for Regional Authorities and Destination Management Organizations (DMOs). Its aim is to offer clear, adaptable guidance and to develop a coherent strategy to address the pressing challenges of climate change in the Mediterranean.

The Blueprint has been written by The Travel Foundation (one of the co-authors of the UN Tourism-led Glasgow Declaration for Climate Action in Tourism) and commissioned by NECSTouR and CPMR (one of the NaTour4CChange partners) - partners of the Thematic Community Project of the Sustainable Tourism Mission of the Interreg Euro-MED programme.

Although the Blueprint is tailored for the Mediterranean, its guidance can be applied to other geographical areas by considering the specific geographical context of each destination. This makes it a valuable tool not just for the Mediterranean, but for the global tourism industry as well.

Read more about the Blueprint and download it at: https://sustainable-tourism.interreg-euro-med.eu/2024/07/24/the-blueprint-for-tourism-climate-action-plans-is-online/

National and International competition of the YRE Programme 2024

Participation of the 2nd General High School of Aigio in the category Article, from the age group 15-18 years old, with the title "Exploring Alyki: A Deep Dive into the Rich Biodiversity of Wetlands"

Alyki serves as a protected habitat for diverse flora and fauna, including endangered species. By preserving it we contribute to the conservation of terrestrial biodiversity. The health of Alyki’s ecosystem is interconnected with the marine environment of the Corinthian Gulf. Protecting the wetlands helps maintain water quality and contributes overall to the health of marine ecosystems. Alyki’s proximity to Aigio highlights the importance of urban-rural linkages in sustainable development. Alyki contributes to the sustainability of the local community while fostering environmental awareness through eco-tourism. Alyki is affected by climate change, with fluctuating water levels and altered conditions impacting its ecosystem. By implementing adaptive management strategies and promoting community involvement in climate resilience efforts, Alyki contributes to broader initiatives aimed at mitigating and adapting to climate change impacts.

National and International competition of the YRE Programme 2024

Participation of the Special School of Education (EEEEK) of Agios Nikolaos and High School of Tzermiadon in the categories

1. Single Photo Reportage, from the age group 15-18 years old, with the title "The glory of the wind".

2. Video Campaign from the age group 15-18 years old, with the title "From Aeolus to Icarus".

"We believe that the reconstruction of the windmills on the Lasithi Plateau will help both the environment and its residents. Crops will be irrigated at no cost, since they will use wind energy. Also, the electricity that will be produced will be through wind energy, reducing our ecological footprint. Also, life in the villages of the Plateau will be more sustainable compared to life without the use of windmills".

 

National and International competition of the YRE Programme 2024

Participation of the Athens College – Elementary School in the category PhotoReportage 3-5 photos, from the age group 11-14 years old, with the title "Plant a Tree – Make Your Shade for the Future"Plant a Tree – Make Your Shade for the Future".

"Our goal is to raise awareness on the connection between forest fires and climate change, as well as to encourage people to act in favor of reversing climate change by planting more and more trees".

National and International competition of the YRE Programme 2024

Participation of the PSYCHICO COLLEGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL in the category Video Campaign, from the age group 11-14 years old, with the title "POSIDONIA OCEANICA".

Posidonia is one of the most important carbon sinks on the planet and it contributes to the health of the ocean waters, the sea life, the beaches and the air. This directly affects the well-being and health of humans and other living beings, and it protects nd restores ocean ecosystems. Also, it helps with the quality of life of the people who live in the coastal areas and with securing jobs related to sustainable fishing and tourism.

National and International competition of the YRE Programme 2024

Participation of the 1st Special Primary School of Acharnon in the category Photo Reportage, from the age group 11-14 years old, with the title "Loneliness after the fire and the hope of regeneration"

Forest disasters have serious effects on oxygen production and air quality. During a forest disaster, fires release huge amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. In addition, the loss of forested areas reduces the environment's ability to absorb carbon dioxide. This contributes to the increase of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, with negative effects on the climate, people's health and by extension the quality of their life.

On the World Wetlands Day 2024, we travel mentally to Aetoloakarnania. With two major rivers, Acheloos and Evinos, running through it, two of the most important lagoons in Greece (those of Messolonghi and Aetoliko), four large artificial and six natural lakes and bordering the Amvrakikos Gulf wetland complex, Aetoloakarnania is the "queen" of wetlands in Greece.

In the heart of this area lies Trichonis, the largest and deepest natural lake in Greece, with an area of 95.8km2, a maximum length of 21.5km and a maximum depth of 59m. The lake is home to many important species of flora and fauna, with a significant presence of endemic species, mainly invertebrates and fish. Among the latter is the smallest fish in Europe, the dwarf goby (Economidichthys trichonis), which lives exclusively in the waters of Trichonis and is listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Trichonis is considered one of the cleanest Greek lakes. It is supplied with water from precipitation, streams originating from the mountains Panaetoliko and Arakynthos (with a catchment area of up to 400 km2), but also from underground karst springs. Its waters are constantly renewed, as they are channeled to the neighbouring lake Lysimachia through a connecting canal.

On December 15, 2023, the Educational and the European Projects teams of the HSPN enjoyed the most wonderful company. The Athens College Bodossaki Elementary School hosted the “Hands-on Labs” action within the framework of the European Project GenB. More than 300 students of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd elementary classes participated in a series of experimental and artistic activities revolved around bioeconomy and the use of sustainable materials and energy.

Together with the children we met our little heroin, Rita, a 1st elementary class student who loves nature, plants, animals, and fossils, and learns how to protect the environment by reducing her ecological footprint with small everyday actions.

    

Yesterday, the team associated with the "Life for Lesser Kestrel" LIFE19 NAT/BG/001017 project visited the “Action for Wildlife” in Thessaloniki.

During this visit, discussions ensued with our project partners from the University of Thessaly and the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature, focusing on forthcoming collaborative initiatives and the participation of our hosts in supporting the Lesser Kestrel population in Bulgaria and northern Greece.

The the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature is participating in the LIFE PHOENIX project. The aim of the project is to restore and protect palm grove habitats in Crete and the Canary Islands by highlighting their unique beauty and importance. In Europe there are only two species of native palms of the genus Phoenix, Phoenix canariensis and P. theophrasti, which grow in the Canary Islands (Spain) and Crete (Greece). These create a wide ecological system, from agricultural crops to natural stands, and their uniqueness justifies their inclusion in Annex I of European Directive 92/43/EEC and their designation as a Priority Habitat (Code 9370* 'Phoenix palm forests').

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The Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature is an environmental non-governmental organization of Panhellenic range that has been active since 1951 for the protection of the Greek natural environment.
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