Showing posts with label Wind Turbines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wind Turbines. Show all posts
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Meeting of the Environment Committee of the Region of Crete
The story of CRETE TV on yesterday's meeting of the Environment Committee of the Region of Crete about the proposed hydro-electric dam planned for Azilakodasos (The Oak forest) between Vrahassi and Krasi. As you can see the locals are not at all happy, and why should they be. Their land is about to be snatched from them, the total beauty of the place with be ruined, not to mention the destruction of the natural habitat of the Griffon Vulture and other wild birds and animals.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
A Voice for the Mountain
A
Voice for the Mountain
(Plans to build a
hydroelectric dam in an area of
natural beauty in Crete, Greece)
I speak…
On behalf of the rocks,
On behalf of the scree,
On behalf of the
flowers,
On behalf of the trees,
On behalf of the birds,
On behalf of the bees
On behalf of the Gods
In the Cretan breeze,
I speak…
For worms, snails, slugs
and spiders
Slitherers, skippers,
hoppers, climbers,
For moths, butterflies
and beetles,
For snakes, lizards,
stoats and weasels,
I speak…
For the rare protected
vulture,
Eagles, emblem of Greek
culture,
For the ancient oaks and
oleaster,
For all that face this
great disaster,
Think twice before you
rape and raid
This fragile land, so
perfect made,
Think how its beauty
once erased
Can never ever be
replaced,
Think of the forests
that breathe for the world,
Think what each leaf
gives you as it unfurls,
Think of the mountain as
home, if you can,
To trillions of beings,
and understand,
They don’t have a voice,
they haven’t a clue
What man and his
bulldozers intend to do,
I speak out for those
who don’t have a voice,
For trees and creatures
without any choice
For the natural habitat
of birds,
For the air we breathe,
listen to my words,
It’s time to respect the
earth that’s our home,
It’s time to share in
this planet’s song
Just think how you’d
feel at the final hour,
If you were destroyed by
those wanting power
© Jane Sharp 2012
Thursday, April 26, 2012
'They Will Take Our Air, They Will Take Our Mountain,They Will Take Our Water!'
"They will take our air, they will take our mountain, they will take our water." Words spoken by Dimitrie Kiriakakis, the President of Vrahassi Local Council.
And these are my words:
This is a beautiful area, if the hydroelectric dam is built in these mountains it will be an ecological disaster. Valuable trees will be lost, the ecosystem will be upset, the natural habitat of the griffon vulture will be destroyed. I hope the people in power will show some respect for the earth, the land which they have been given guardianship of. The birds cannot speak, so I will speak for them. The mountains cannot speak, so I will speak, the trees cannot speak, so I will speak: from my heart I ask, please do not decimate the environment in this way. Listen to the voices before it is too late, listen to all these sensitive people who care about their land, listen before the beauty which God has created is destroyed by man's greed. I can do very little except add my voice to those in opposition of this plan. The politicians CAN stop this French company from raping Cretan soil. I hope and pray that they will do the right thing.
Jane Sharp
And these are my words:
This is a beautiful area, if the hydroelectric dam is built in these mountains it will be an ecological disaster. Valuable trees will be lost, the ecosystem will be upset, the natural habitat of the griffon vulture will be destroyed. I hope the people in power will show some respect for the earth, the land which they have been given guardianship of. The birds cannot speak, so I will speak for them. The mountains cannot speak, so I will speak, the trees cannot speak, so I will speak: from my heart I ask, please do not decimate the environment in this way. Listen to the voices before it is too late, listen to all these sensitive people who care about their land, listen before the beauty which God has created is destroyed by man's greed. I can do very little except add my voice to those in opposition of this plan. The politicians CAN stop this French company from raping Cretan soil. I hope and pray that they will do the right thing.
Jane Sharp
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Agios Nikolaos Join the Fight to Save the Oak Trees of Vrahassi!
This isn't the best translation, but I got it from Google Translate, taking it from the account in Greek on the Anablochos blog, there is a link in the right hand margin of this page for the full account in Greek and pictures.
An objection to the Region for the hybrid in Azilakodasos decided unanimously yesterday by the Municipal Council of St. Nicholas
The first issue off the agenda was discussed yesterday at the City Council St. Nicholas submitted the issue of MPE for the hybrid hydroelectric power to "Koutralia" in the Azilakodasous Vrachasiou.
Opening the issue Kounenaki D. Mayor read the resolution of the recent Assembly Vrachasiou held by clubs in the area and said the community was right after all made in absentia, while the EIA is unacceptable not to submit for approval to any municipality. So said he recommends the acceptance of those listed and proposed to join the City of St. Nicholas objection together with the regional actors in the Environment Committee of the Region of Crete, which will be introduced for approval by the MPA the project.Then spoke the Dav. Director V. Hatzidakis, who read a text with the positions of the Democratic Rally for industrial electricity and stated that he agrees with an objection. The head of the Municipal Cooperation said that the party is not against renewable energy, however, sufficient to ensure the protection of the environment and resources of a region and said that he agrees with the submission of the objection.The ground taken and Aldermen and the mayor finally closing the matter said that the City has expressed that it is not against renewable energy, but the location must be done with vacant, a study and consultation with local communities, which is Currently not applicable and therefore suggests the joining of the objection.So the City Council took this decision unanimously and now must be set that will be drafted and filed this appeal.
It is worth noting that when discussing this topic in the Public Council, the hall was attended by many residents of Vrachasiou and Milatos (over 30) showing real interest in the local community on this issue without having to speak to a representative of the protest committee.Also attended by members of the Ecological Movement Miramvellou and solidarity Citizens interested in practice on the course of this important environmental case of Mirabello.
It is a very positive step, well done all protesters, and the best of luck! Jane x
An objection to the Region for the hybrid in Azilakodasos decided unanimously yesterday by the Municipal Council of St. Nicholas
The first issue off the agenda was discussed yesterday at the City Council St. Nicholas submitted the issue of MPE for the hybrid hydroelectric power to "Koutralia" in the Azilakodasous Vrachasiou.
Opening the issue Kounenaki D. Mayor read the resolution of the recent Assembly Vrachasiou held by clubs in the area and said the community was right after all made in absentia, while the EIA is unacceptable not to submit for approval to any municipality. So said he recommends the acceptance of those listed and proposed to join the City of St. Nicholas objection together with the regional actors in the Environment Committee of the Region of Crete, which will be introduced for approval by the MPA the project.Then spoke the Dav. Director V. Hatzidakis, who read a text with the positions of the Democratic Rally for industrial electricity and stated that he agrees with an objection. The head of the Municipal Cooperation said that the party is not against renewable energy, however, sufficient to ensure the protection of the environment and resources of a region and said that he agrees with the submission of the objection.The ground taken and Aldermen and the mayor finally closing the matter said that the City has expressed that it is not against renewable energy, but the location must be done with vacant, a study and consultation with local communities, which is Currently not applicable and therefore suggests the joining of the objection.So the City Council took this decision unanimously and now must be set that will be drafted and filed this appeal.
It is worth noting that when discussing this topic in the Public Council, the hall was attended by many residents of Vrachasiou and Milatos (over 30) showing real interest in the local community on this issue without having to speak to a representative of the protest committee.Also attended by members of the Ecological Movement Miramvellou and solidarity Citizens interested in practice on the course of this important environmental case of Mirabello.
It is a very positive step, well done all protesters, and the best of luck! Jane x
Friday, March 30, 2012
People of Vrahassi Object to Hydro Electric Plant
The following is a brief translation of what happened at the meeting last night. For a full report in Greek please see the blog Anavloxos in the side bar right.
A meeting of the local community of Vrachasi convened Thursday 29/3/12 at the invitation of local clubs, to expresse opposition to the siting and licensing of a renewable energy industry facility in the local community of Vrachasi without any information and without any permission from the local community.The local community are flabbergasted that no one from the local self-governing bodies appear know anything, given production licenses for huge industrial-sized RE: Two hydro hybrid, a station with 13 turbines, with a request for permission and a further 9 wind turbines.And all this in an area protected as a special protection network Natura 2000 and as a wildlife refuges.Indeed, the huge hydroelectric hybrid position Koutralia (100 mw power the largest in Greece) is sited adjacent to and in rare Azilakodasos, a rare forest of oak quercious ilex, that similar does not exist anywhere in Greece.
We declare our opposition to this and ask all local government bodies to support us in our fight to prevent these devastating circumstances.
In this context we shall set up a Committee to do all that is necessary to express our opposition to the practice and prevent the destruction of the natural wealth of our country.The protest committee will consist of: D. Kiriakakis, G. Kostakis, G. Miliara, G. Manousakis, Ang. Souladakis, Ang. Vidali, Mich. Kyriakakis, S. Vrontino, M. Lydaki.
A meeting of the local community of Vrachasi convened Thursday 29/3/12 at the invitation of local clubs, to expresse opposition to the siting and licensing of a renewable energy industry facility in the local community of Vrachasi without any information and without any permission from the local community.The local community are flabbergasted that no one from the local self-governing bodies appear know anything, given production licenses for huge industrial-sized RE: Two hydro hybrid, a station with 13 turbines, with a request for permission and a further 9 wind turbines.And all this in an area protected as a special protection network Natura 2000 and as a wildlife refuges.Indeed, the huge hydroelectric hybrid position Koutralia (100 mw power the largest in Greece) is sited adjacent to and in rare Azilakodasos, a rare forest of oak quercious ilex, that similar does not exist anywhere in Greece.
We declare our opposition to this and ask all local government bodies to support us in our fight to prevent these devastating circumstances.
In this context we shall set up a Committee to do all that is necessary to express our opposition to the practice and prevent the destruction of the natural wealth of our country.The protest committee will consist of: D. Kiriakakis, G. Kostakis, G. Miliara, G. Manousakis, Ang. Souladakis, Ang. Vidali, Mich. Kyriakakis, S. Vrontino, M. Lydaki.
Monday, March 19, 2012
In the Mountains of Crete (across from Vrahassi)
Yesterday David and I took a trip into the mountains, up past the Monastery of St George and on towards the lower slope of Selena. A French company has been given the first permissions to build a wind farm up there. What a shame if that beautiful, natural countryside is scarred by the errection of wind turbines. Personally, I think the area should be designated a National Park, and that should include Vrahassi and Anavlohos. The abundence of wild flowers, the natural habitat of the Griffon Vulture and other wild birds, the fact of being able to visit a piece of this planet where it is possible to be at one with nature, are all reasons why this area should be protected. I know I am not alone in thinking this, and I only hope that we can find some way of stopping the proposed scheme.
Sorry about the shake on the video, but the road is very bad. It's a thought, but, isn't there any European money to help make that road better so that more people can enjoy the mountains. If it were a tourist attraction (and I don't mean to make it into a main road) then that may be another reason to make it a National Park, with proper signs, and regulations. It works in England where there are Park Rangers to help control things like litter, protection of species etc.
Selena is a beautiful mountain, a very beautiful mountain, go there if you can, and see for yourself.
Love Jane x
By the way, the lovely music is Rachmaninoff Cello Sonata, and I am going to listen to the whole thing while I do my 7 minute workout. Got to get fit to walk in the mountains.
Sorry about the shake on the video, but the road is very bad. It's a thought, but, isn't there any European money to help make that road better so that more people can enjoy the mountains. If it were a tourist attraction (and I don't mean to make it into a main road) then that may be another reason to make it a National Park, with proper signs, and regulations. It works in England where there are Park Rangers to help control things like litter, protection of species etc.
Selena is a beautiful mountain, a very beautiful mountain, go there if you can, and see for yourself.
Love Jane x
By the way, the lovely music is Rachmaninoff Cello Sonata, and I am going to listen to the whole thing while I do my 7 minute workout. Got to get fit to walk in the mountains.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Action Against the Wind Turbines!
The people of Crete are a proud people. Vrahassi people are proud people. I hope they are not powerless in their fight to stop wind turbines being put on their mountain. The beautiful countriside that surrounds Vrahassi should be kept as a nature reserve. It is horrendous to think of roads being dug out of the slopes of Selena, of giant windmill being errected on the skyline, of precious oak trees being dug up. When tourists come to this area they come because of the natural beauty. They visit Sissi because of its beautiful harbour and pleasant surroundings. They come to Vrahassi to see the Griffon vultures, to walk the old roads and descover wild flowers, to sit in the centre of this traditional Cretan village and find the peace that a mountain location has to offer. What a tragedy if the proposed wind turbines change the face of this wonderful area. I wish the people of Vrahassi well with their fight against this happening. Cretan people don't give in easily! Vrahassi people never give in!
Love Jane x
Οι άνθρωποι της Κρήτης είναι ένας περήφανος λαός. Οι Βραχασώτες είναι περήφανοι άνθρωποι. Ελπίζω ότι δεν θα είναι ανίσχυροι στον αγώνα τους να σταματήσουν την τοποθέτηση των ανεμογεννητριών στο βουνό τους. Η όμορφη φύση που περιβάλλει το Βραχάσι πρέπει να κρατηθεί ως αποθεματικό της φύσης. Είναι φοβερό να σκεφτεί κανείς δρόμους να σκάβονται στις πλαγιές της Σελένας, γιγάντιους ανεμόμυλους να εικονίζονται στο ορίζοντα, πολύτιμα δέντρα δρυες να ξαπατώνονται. Όταν οι τουρίστες έρχονται σε αυτόν τον τόπο έρχονται λόγω της φυσικής ομορφιάς. Επισκέπτονται το Σίσι για το όμορφο λιμάνι του και το ευχάριστο περιβάλλον. Έρχονται στο Βραχάσι για να δουν τα Όρνια, να περπατήσουν στα παλιά μονοπάτια, να ανακαλύψουν αγριολούλουδα, να καθίσουν στο κέντρο αυτού του παραδοσιακού κρητικού χωριού και να βρουν την ηρεμία που μια βουνίσια τοποθεσία έχει να προσφέρει. Τι τραγωδία, εάν οι προτεινόμενες ανεμογεννήτριες αλλάξουν το πρόσωπο της υπέροχης αυτής περιοχής. Εύχομαι οι άνθρωποι του Βραχασίου να πάνε καλά στην πάλη τους να αποτρέψουν να συμβεί αυτό. Ο Κρητικός λαός δεν ενδίδει εύκολα! Οι Βραχασώτες ποτέ δεν ενδίδουν!
Love Jane x
Οι άνθρωποι της Κρήτης είναι ένας περήφανος λαός. Οι Βραχασώτες είναι περήφανοι άνθρωποι. Ελπίζω ότι δεν θα είναι ανίσχυροι στον αγώνα τους να σταματήσουν την τοποθέτηση των ανεμογεννητριών στο βουνό τους. Η όμορφη φύση που περιβάλλει το Βραχάσι πρέπει να κρατηθεί ως αποθεματικό της φύσης. Είναι φοβερό να σκεφτεί κανείς δρόμους να σκάβονται στις πλαγιές της Σελένας, γιγάντιους ανεμόμυλους να εικονίζονται στο ορίζοντα, πολύτιμα δέντρα δρυες να ξαπατώνονται. Όταν οι τουρίστες έρχονται σε αυτόν τον τόπο έρχονται λόγω της φυσικής ομορφιάς. Επισκέπτονται το Σίσι για το όμορφο λιμάνι του και το ευχάριστο περιβάλλον. Έρχονται στο Βραχάσι για να δουν τα Όρνια, να περπατήσουν στα παλιά μονοπάτια, να ανακαλύψουν αγριολούλουδα, να καθίσουν στο κέντρο αυτού του παραδοσιακού κρητικού χωριού και να βρουν την ηρεμία που μια βουνίσια τοποθεσία έχει να προσφέρει. Τι τραγωδία, εάν οι προτεινόμενες ανεμογεννήτριες αλλάξουν το πρόσωπο της υπέροχης αυτής περιοχής. Εύχομαι οι άνθρωποι του Βραχασίου να πάνε καλά στην πάλη τους να αποτρέψουν να συμβεί αυτό. Ο Κρητικός λαός δεν ενδίδει εύκολα! Οι Βραχασώτες ποτέ δεν ενδίδουν!
Με αγάπη Jane x
My sincere thanks to George of Anablochos.blogspot.com for translating this post into Greek.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)