Filenews 5 June 2021
A press conference, on the occasion of World Environment Day, was held by the Movement of Ecologists – Citizens' Cooperation at the Movement's Headquarters in Strovolos.
The press conference was attended by the President of the Movement, Mr Charalambos Theopeptou, the Member of Parliament for the Movement, Mr Alexandra Attalidou, the Member of Parliament, Mr Stavros Papadouris, vice-president I, Mr Nikos Pavlidis, and Vice-President Adonis Yagou.
In his post, the President of the Movement, Mr. Theopeptou, stressed that "We are the last generation that can do anything, because never before have we had such a great damage to the ecosystems of the planet, with 1,000,000 species at risk of extinction."
He went on to say that "Based on the UN, the five main factors for global change are: changes in land and sea use, exploitation of other living organisms on land, air and sea, climate change, global pollution and the invasion of alien species in other parts of the world."
"We have made all of Cyprus a vast garbage dump, we recklessly destroy the beaches, we breathe inappropriate air that kills us, we destroy at great rates life in the sea where we throw a lot of waste", stressed Mr. Theopetou. "With the policy of large developments, individual residence and golf we have invaded all the Cypriot nature and now the end of the last area we have left, that of Akamas, is planned," he stressed.
In closing, the President of the Movement said that "Our climate has changed, we are still generating electricity with fuel oil and we see trees cut down every day for no reason and the birds are lost from our sky. We are living in one of the worst times for the environment and disasters are not reversible."
In turn, the MEMBER of the Movement of Ecologists, Mr. Stavros Papadouris, said that "In our country, in words, we are doing well. But in the works we experience the naked and raw reality. We poison the ground, rivers and streams and protest because we are flooding. We despise nature, build on the sea caves, demolish local plans by building towers in the sand, asking how we live in an unregulated development as the list grows longer and longer."
"During the recent election period we have seen and heard a lot from many, in relation to the environment. As pleasant a surprise as this has been for us, I hope and hope that they are not hollow election promises, but really reinforce the effort and purposes that the Movement of Ecologists has consistently supported for 25 years." stressed Mr Papadouris.
"Because as a new slogan added to our vocabulary says: We have no alternative planet but Earth. He was generously given to us and he is the one we have a duty to protect." concluded movement MP Stavros Papadouris.
In her own position, the Member of parliament of the Movement of Ecologists – Citizens' Cooperation, Mrs Alexandra Attalidou, analysed her five environmental objectives. In particular, Mrs Attalidou stressed the urgent need to withdraw the Urban Incentives plan for the recovery of the economy and the revitalisation of the construction industry, as well as the adoption of management and protection orders for all protected Natura2000 network areas.
The immediate signature, ratification and implementation of the 7th Protocol to the Barcelona Convention on the Integrated Management of Mediterranean Coastal Zones as well as the immediate resolution of the property problem of specific protected areas under the applicable legislation (expropriations of Lake Oroklini, enclosed private property within the Akamas National Park) will be Mrs Attalidou's immediate priorities.
Finally, Mrs Attalidou stressed that more emphasis should be placed on consultations on environmental issues: All development plans should be subject to strategic and appropriate environmental impact assessment studies based on the EU environmental acquis.
