Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Greenpeace Greece launches crowdfunded solar campaign

Solutions to Greek crisis: Greenpeace Greece launches crowdfunded solar campaign

Rhodes, Greece, 27 July, 2015 – 21 Greenpeace activists from Greece, Italy and Spain today spread a 600 square meter arrow banner reading ‘Oil is fueling Greek debt’, pointing at a Greek oil-fired power plant under construction on the island of Rhodes, to reveal one of the most unacknowledged causes of the Greek crisis; the country’s dependence on imported fossil fuels.

This protest launches Greenpeace Greece’s new crowdfunding campaign[1] to draw international support towards debt-ridden Greece’s most significant investment opportunity; its sun. All proceedings from the campaign will be used to install solar panels throughout communities that face serious energy problems[2].

“We know the world is watching Greece, so we’re asking the world to help us serve up a solution to wasteful spending on expensive oil. The sun is already our greatest asset, not just for tourism, but because it’s an unlimited and free energy source that can beat back recession and power sustainable development. Let’s use it,” said Takis Grigoriou, Climate & Energy campaigner at Greenpeace Greece.

Over-reliance on expensive energy imports hampers any realistic prospect for economic recovery in Greece. Oil-powered electricity generation for Greece’s sunny islands alone currently burdens Greek consumers with 800 million euros each year in oil subsidies - a sum equal to that of new pension cuts proposed to reduce the national budget expenditure. Despite this, there is no solid plan to phase out oil, as the construction of the new oil plant in Rhodes shows.

“Solarizing the Greek economy is a win-win-win scenario: Not only can Greece dramatically cut costs and save billions from energy imports, we can also shift to clean sustainable energy and redirect funds to where they matter most: pensions, welfare policies and stimulating the economy,” added Grigoriou.

ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.