This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
Sunday, 23 July 2023
Down the Greecy Pole?
The Greek island of Rhodes is currently experiencing a combination of record high temperatures and strong winds. It's a perfect mix for raging wildfires. Some 30,000 people (including many holidaymakers) have consequently been forced to evacuate buildings on the island. That's including the 2,500 who were lifted from beaches, like folk in a war zone (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/23/high-winds-expected-to-impede-fight-wildfires-in-rhodes). Meanwhile, in Athens, Helena Smith 'watches in amazement as sunseekers fly in', in spite of being warned. The current conditions in Athens are terrible for locals, so would anyone choose to holiday there now? (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jul/23/athens-wildfires-people-fleeing-homes-still-tourists-fly-in). Smith notes that the 'budget airline', Easyjet, is, yet again, experiencing record pre-tax profits. Between July and September, around 160,000 flights are scheduled by this airline alone. The 'greenhouse gas' emissions of holiday flights will simply help Southern Europe become even less liveable. Greek meteorologists are already saying 'Greece is becoming Dubai'. Smith suggests that some Greek locals are now dreaming of flying North to cooler, wetter locations. That would, of course, simply add to emissions. The behaviour of the falsely-maligned lemmings (they're not actually suicidal), seems more intelligent than some current human activity.
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