“What do the citizens ask of us? They are not asking us for anything terrible! We are obliged, as an organized State, to provide them with certain things. I want it to be clear and understandable that everything that is done is for the value of human life, for the world, to protect, to help, to feel safe”. This was emphasized, among others, by the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Vassilis Kikilias, in an interview he granted to the Open television station. He added that especially this new, but crucial ministry, must “have structures, physical continuity and not depend on the respective minister”.
Regarding this year’s fire fighting season, he said that changes have indeed been made, as “we fly loaded over Attica and this saves valuable time. Yes, of course, we brought a new system with drones that we now monitor almost all of Greece, yes, we changed the doctrine, we advanced 1.8 billion tenders in Aegis” but, as he emphasized, the collective coordinated effort is very important, “the The Fire Brigade, the Forest Service, our foresters are there and our volunteers, the Local Government, the Police, the Army and all the people who now make up the new doctrine of extinguishing forest fires, make the difference”.
Referring specifically to the men and women of the Fire Service and volunteers, he said: “I want people to realize what it means that we send these people, our trainers, our rangers and firefighters and volunteers into places that are very dangerous. I want to remind everyone that we come home at night, sure, from our work, but they are at risk in every fire. The EMODE go to the most difficult missions and areas, they have given us white faces, as well as the oldest ones, everyone gives their being and their soul and I thank them, I am deeply indebted to them for the battle fought this year”.
V. Kikilias, referring to the preventive measures of the fire season, such as the cleaning of plots and the fire zones in the forests, estimated that despite the first reactions and difficulties, a new perception is being built by all involved. “A consensus is being built, a very large alliance is being built, which is not partisan, not political and not governmental. It is national and aims to protect forests, property and above all human life” and he added: “In my opinion this is the new patriotism, it is a new expression of love for our homeland, our place, it will protect my home, my family, my village, my island, the area I live in and I will take care of it.”
Mr. Kikilias spoke about the 835,000 owners who cleaned their plots and thanked them for contributing to the fire prevention policy, the local authorities who cleaned, but also collected the dry grass and prunings, while he referred to the ANTINERO program of the Ministry of Energy and Environment for the clearing of forests, which is done gradually.
Regarding the effects of the climate crisis, he spoke about the emerging problem of water scarcity in Greece, saying that “a national strategy should be created, not a local one, regarding the management of water resources and because insularity is a huge advantage for us, we must see how can we take advantage of it with small or large or compact desalination units, as RES now reduce energy costs”. And he added that the time has come to turn to the separation of potable water in the network and to implement water recycling solutions for other uses. “That is, we cannot wash our car with potable water, we cannot spend and waste potable water in other, second or third daily functions.”
He also referred to the crucial role of the European Union, saying characteristically that “he is fine for after ten, twenty, thirty years for the transition to the energy economy with renewable fuels and so on, but he must gather now and make decisions and to put his hand in his pocket for the people who are being tested”.
And he added that everything we face internationally in recent years, from the dystopian two years of the pandemic to the unprecedented fires and floods, creates another reality that we must face. “These are difficult times and the whole planet is experiencing them. There is a lot to be done and a lot of work is required, not a lot of words. The communication is also good, the illustration is also good, but the substance plays a role. We live in the era of projects, not communication.”
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