Archipelagos

  • English
  • Ελληνικα
Who We Are
The TeamThe Team
Research BasesResearch Bases
Research BoatsResearch Boats
Our EquipmentOur Equipment
PartnersPartners
SupportersSupporters
Fields of Action
Marine ConservationMarine Conservation Fisheries Shipping Risks Seagrass Meadows Coralligene Conservation Littoral Ecosystems Invasive Species Jellyfish Sea Turtles
Marine MammalsMarine Mammals Dolphins and Porpoises Whales Seals
Terrestrial ConservationTerrestrial Conservation Island Fauna Forests & Flora Freshwater Ecosystems Aegean Seed Bank
Laboratory ResearchLaboratory Research Microplastics Water Analysis Soil Quality
Projects
Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary
Eco-Navigation
FIsh4Life
Save the Aegean
Join Us
Internships in the Aegean
Remote Internships
Interns Experiences
Field Courses
News
Joint Field Research in the Small Islets of the Aegean with the Faculty of Architecture of the Toronto University
Joint Field Research in the Small Islets of the Aegean with the Faculty of Architecture of the Toronto University
The applied environmental field research programs of Archipelagos’ International School of the Sea continue
The applied environmental field research programs of Archipelagos’ International School of the Sea continue
Sperm whales in the northern and central Aegean, as we keep up the continuous research in the Greek seas
Sperm whales in the northern and central Aegean, as we keep up the continuous research in the Greek seas
The research boat “Pinelopi” was launched yesterday after its annual repair
The research boat “Pinelopi” was launched yesterday after its annual repair
View All...
Donate
Menu

Major environmental threat to the Mediterranean due to UN decision

Major environmental threat to the Mediterranean due to UN decision

by Archipelagos / Monday, 10 February 2014 / Published in Marine Conservation, Press Releases

At any given moment, the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile may occur, in the heart of the Mediterranean, between Crete and Sicily. The whole process is implemented with legal coverage in accordance to relevant UN decisions-an organization that is allegedly an independent peacemaker, but is actually known to be controlled by the same members who market these dangerous chemical weapons, such as the U.S., Russia, China and France; countries which are also permanent members of the UN. It must be noted that countries like France, Germany, Norway, Belgium and Albania, which have facilities to deal with such dangerous waste, have not permitted the destruction of these chemical weapons within their territories due to lack of appropriate infrastructure.  However, all of a sudden, their destruction is deemed safe aboard a moving fleet in international waters, where control is virtually impossible.

The UN, with legal cover-up, disregards a number of international conventions for the protection of the marine environment and public health (from which exemptions are made for military operations), ignoring the precautionary approach, and attempts to enforce a dangerous precedent in the Mediterranean, states Anastasia Miliou, research director of the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation in Greece. The selection of this dumping site was not made arbitrarily, since Mediterranean countries are currently dealing with a severe economic crisis and are under the control of weak governments.  Therefore people are less likely to react. And now, apart from the crisis, these nations must also deal with the serious environmental threat posed by the dispersal of dangerous chemicals by sea currents, throughout the semi-enclosed Mediterranean Sea.

Of course the UN and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons provide reassurance towards the environmental safety of the hydrolysis method to be used for the destruction of the chemical weapons. However, Archipelagos Institute and numerous other experts are highly concerned about the potential hazards of such a complex destructive process.  Not only has this type of procedure never been carried out before, it is also the first time these chemicals will be used to such an extent in the highly unstable marine environment. This does not even take into account the consequences marine life might face due to the possible dumping of liquid waste produced during the process.

As mentioned by Dr. Gidarakos, Professor at the University of Crete (Laboratory of Toxic and Hazardous Waste Management), “It is contradictory to demand detailed environmental impact assessments and public consultations before authorising the construction of a simple sewage treatment plant, while carrying out major operations such as dangerous chemical waste treatment, under unclear procedures, with media as the only source of information for national authorities, is considered adequate”.

Time is pressing. Our response has to be immediate, as according to reports, two ships loaded with chemical weapons are already en-route; one is currently in Cyprus and the other in Italy. Archipelagos Institute requests immediate action by the Greek , Italian and European authorities and aims to motivate international scientific and environmental organisations to help annul this procedure, until either a) an alternative plan to destroy the chemical arsenal in appropriate on-land facilities is found, or b) the possibility for supervision of the procedure is provided by impartial scientific experts from neighbouring countries, who will ensure the safety of the marine environment. The imminent threat of further destruction of the highly sensitive Mediterranean ecosystems, which have already been under great stress over the last few years, must be prevented.

0
0
0
0
0

What you can read next

Recent advances towards the protection of the Greek Seas from destructive trawling methods
Accidents and pollution
The Devaluation of the Greek Islands

HIGHLIGHTS

  • International Visitors at the Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary Project

    International Visitors at the Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary Project

    1 June 2021
    At Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation an important visit took …
  • The Efkranti Award was Granted to the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation

    The Efkranti Award was Granted to the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation

    27 July 2020
    It was a great honor but also great moral support …
  • The President of the Hellenic Republic’s visit to Archipelagos research vessel, the Aegean Explorer

    The President of the Hellenic Republic’s visit to Archipelagos research vessel, the Aegean Explorer

    30 June 2020
    Yesterday, during the President of the Republic’s visit to the …
  • Award to Archipelagos: Best Heroic Act of Environmental Stewardship

    Award to Archipelagos: Best Heroic Act of Environmental Stewardship

    19 February 2020
    The Short Documentary Film presenting the Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary, …
  • Award to Archipelagos Institute from the International Propeller Club of the United States

    Award to Archipelagos Institute from the International Propeller Club of the United States

    6 February 2020
    We would like to thank the International Propeller Club of …

Recent Posts

  • Joint Field Research in the Small Islets of the Aegean with the Faculty of Architecture of the Toronto University

    Joint Field Research in the Small Islets of the Aegean with the Faculty of Architecture of the Toronto University

    17 May 2022
    As part of our collaboration with the John H. Daniels …
  • The applied environmental field research programs of Archipelagos’ International School of the Sea continue

    The applied environmental field research programs of Archipelagos’ International School of the Sea continue

    6 May 2022
    The International School of the Sea of the Archipelagos Institute …
  • Sperm whales in the northern and central Aegean, as we keep up the continuous research in the Greek seas

    Sperm whales in the northern and central Aegean, as we keep up the continuous research in the Greek seas

    28 April 2022
    For several years now, we recognize one of the two …
  • The research boat “Pinelopi” was launched yesterday after its annual repair

    The research boat “Pinelopi” was launched yesterday after its annual repair

    22 April 2022
    The research boat “Pinelopi” was launched yesterday after Archipelagos’ captains …
  • Stranding of three striped dolphins in the NE Aegean

    Stranding of three striped dolphins in the NE Aegean

    27 January 2022
    Three dead striped dolphins, two adult females and a juvenile …
  • 77 days of survey – 124 sightings of marine mammal populations.

    77 days of survey – 124 sightings of marine mammal populations.

    19 November 2021
    Archipelagos’ Marine Mammal Research team continue almost daily surveys at …
  • Planting Underwater Gardens of Posidonia meadows

    Planting Underwater Gardens of Posidonia meadows

    16 November 2021
    Despite the winter approaching, the Archipelagos team’s hard work on …

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation is committed to researching and defending the biodiversity of the Greek seas and islands.

Our action is possible only with your help!

donate
  • Contact us
  • Placements

Archipelagos - Institute of Marine Conservation © All Rights Reserved || Web Design and Development by Red Web Design & Fekas Brothers

TOP