Spyros Neratzis in Brussels for climate change meeting
Neratzis
26 Oct 2019
/ 10:08
CORFU. He said the meeting was "Very informative and useful and necessary from all aspects".
The meeting "Actions for the Climate: Facing the climate crisis and its impact" took place at the European Parliament in Brussels 14 - 17 October. Mr. Neratzis was invited to attend by MEP Petros Kokkalis, whom he thanked for his "active presence and interest in the country and the planet".
Spyros Neratzis talked about some of the conclusions from the meeting and the presentations and discussions that took place:
"The term 'sustainable development' was first heard in 1987, referring to economic development which was planned and implemented bearing in mind the protection of the planet and sustainability.
Three years later the developed countries started to discuss an economic transition based on sustainable development and dealing with climate change. On 24 September 2007 there was the first meeting with leaders of the developed countries but from then up to now little has been done. There are many reasons for this (for example, at the meeting in Copenhagen in 2009 there was no proper preparation).
The whole period was like a political theatre - promises and talk do not solve the problems.
- We are talking abou CO2 and not, for example, methane.
- We must move from oversizing and overconsumption to quality development.
- Natural resources must be exploited at a slower rate than the rate at which they reproduce themselves.
- We are talking about drought, heavy rainfall, ice melting and the fact that destruction is coming.
- We are talking about electrical self-sufficiency and alternative forms of energy.
Examining all the views and considering calmly we can undertand that the solution will come through the economy.
It won't be a solution for the planet, which has shown us that it can do that by itself whatever happens and will restore itself in a few hundred years, it will be a solution for humanity and will come through economic development. And the biggest investment won't be finance but human will! The solution will come from us.
The problem of climate change has to be tackled globally, nationally and locally on a Municipal, community and neighbourhood level. It is much easier to take the necessary actions on the level of a small community.
Simply criticising will not bring the necessary results - taking action can. The small communities are ready and willing and just need inspiration and to be shown how.
The following can be done much more easily on a local level:
- Tree-planting and creation of green spaces in towns.
- Waste management based on the circular economy.
- Less use of cars, more use of bicycles, creation of car parks and reducing traffic problems.
- Protection of biodiversity.
-Turning to new forms of energy, geothermal, wind turbines etc.
It is in our hands to combine protests and action - let's start from our own neighbourhoos."
Spyros Neratzis talked about some of the conclusions from the meeting and the presentations and discussions that took place:
"The term 'sustainable development' was first heard in 1987, referring to economic development which was planned and implemented bearing in mind the protection of the planet and sustainability.
Three years later the developed countries started to discuss an economic transition based on sustainable development and dealing with climate change. On 24 September 2007 there was the first meeting with leaders of the developed countries but from then up to now little has been done. There are many reasons for this (for example, at the meeting in Copenhagen in 2009 there was no proper preparation).
The whole period was like a political theatre - promises and talk do not solve the problems.
- We are talking abou CO2 and not, for example, methane.
- We must move from oversizing and overconsumption to quality development.
- Natural resources must be exploited at a slower rate than the rate at which they reproduce themselves.
- We are talking about drought, heavy rainfall, ice melting and the fact that destruction is coming.
- We are talking about electrical self-sufficiency and alternative forms of energy.
Examining all the views and considering calmly we can undertand that the solution will come through the economy.
It won't be a solution for the planet, which has shown us that it can do that by itself whatever happens and will restore itself in a few hundred years, it will be a solution for humanity and will come through economic development. And the biggest investment won't be finance but human will! The solution will come from us.
The problem of climate change has to be tackled globally, nationally and locally on a Municipal, community and neighbourhood level. It is much easier to take the necessary actions on the level of a small community.
Simply criticising will not bring the necessary results - taking action can. The small communities are ready and willing and just need inspiration and to be shown how.
The following can be done much more easily on a local level:
- Tree-planting and creation of green spaces in towns.
- Waste management based on the circular economy.
- Less use of cars, more use of bicycles, creation of car parks and reducing traffic problems.
- Protection of biodiversity.
-Turning to new forms of energy, geothermal, wind turbines etc.
It is in our hands to combine protests and action - let's start from our own neighbourhoos."
