The World Environment Day is being celebrated all over the world on 5th June, with events honoring the natural environment of the planet. The 2020 theme is: celebrating biodiversity.

This year, in Greece the celebration takes place following two very recent legislations, the Law on the Modernization of Environmental Legislation which was voted a month ago, and the Law on Tourism which was voted a fortnight ago.

Law 4688/2020 (‘on the Modernization of the Environmental Legislation’) is expected to radically change the natural environment of Greece in the coming years – and this change will most probably be in favor of investments and developments, with a heavy toll on biodiversity.

Following the provisions of the Law, environmental licensing will be oversimplified, as it is seen as a barrier to investment and not as a guarantor for the protection of the natural environment nor for a healthy investment environment. Heavy-impact land uses are allowed in protected areas, even in areas of absolute protection of nature, and in and around our most emblematic National Parks. Furthermore, the institutional and operational structure of protected areas will be weakened as its autonomy, its capacity for opinions, the mechanisms for participation and the contact with local communities will all be reduced. In conclusion, environmental protection seems to be seen as an obstacle to other land-uses of these sites.

Only a few weeks later, Law 4688/2020 (‘on Special Forms of Tourism and Tourism Development’) creates an even more sinister atmosphere for the Greek natural environment: the coastline and the free access to the coasts is restricted by a multitude of provisions. It is now possible to develop golf courses inside forests or woodlands. Submarine theme parks will be sunk in the seabed without the scientific documentation nor any environmental impact assessment. Luxurious camp-sites may be constructed within forests and the protected areas, without taking into consideration the environmental or any other legislation (forest, urban-planning, archaeological).

The way we view at the HSPN our the National Parks and Natura 2000 areas, the forests, the wetlands, the mountain ranges, the coasts, the seabed and their biodiversity:

We are proud to live in this part of the world and we don’t see them as obstacles
-They are unique in relation to the other parts of the planet, and are our competitive advantage.
-They are our souls and they define who we are on a collective and on a personal level.
-They are our heritage, which we respect and shall pass on to the next generations; we shall not waste them for short-term benefit.
-They will be our shield against natural disasters, climate change, and pandemics.
-They also have their intrinsic value, extending beyond any usefulness for us.

At the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature we will continue with consistency, respect and enthusiasm to fight for the defense, protection and promotion of our natural environment of our country and our planet, as we have been doing for seven decades now.