Discussion – Workshop: Erimitis, the next day

Today we celebrate #WorldEnvironmentDay by looking to the future with hope, despite the adversity we face those of us who care for the environment. This optimism is due partly to the discussion held yesterday in Agios Stephanos regarding Erimitis.

The “Erimitis case” is now an example for many organisations struggling to save their land from “investments”. Since 2012, many Corfiots, local organisations, local authorities, and of course the association “Erimiti Plus..” are fighting to keep the case alive and so Erimitis is still saved.

However, yesterday’s meeting was not about the past, but about the future. The five speakers, in a short time, gave us their perspectives and expertise to envision this future. Elena Papadopoulou spoke to us in general about the wetlands, flora and fauna of Erimitis. Giannis Gasteratos introduced us to the birds, the mammals of the area, and the connectivity of Erimitis with the surrounding protected areas. Roxanie Naasan Agah spoke about marine wealth, paying special attention to the Poseidonia of the marine area around Erimitis. Dionysis Latinopoulos referring to the valuable services that natural ecosystems provide to our well-being, also showed us that the economic benefits for a region are greater when the natural environment is preserved rather than destroyed. Finally, Kostas Kaloudis closed the presentation with the alternative sustainable proposal for Erimitis on which he has been working for years together with the association and which aims to protect both the terrestrial and marine parts of the ecosystem of Erimitis area so that we can all continue to enjoy it as an “ecological park”.