kathimerini.gr
Greece's Obstructed Rivers: A Call for Restoration
Greece lags in removing river obstacles despite a widespread European and US practice of restoring free-flowing rivers; a new Medina project advocates for removing obsolete structures and highlights the threat of small hydroelectric plants to the Aoos, Europe's last free-flowing river.
- How does the new EU Nature Restoration Regulation affect Greece's river management strategies and what are the potential consequences of inaction?
- The Medina project emphasizes the removal of obsolete or hazardous river obstructions in Greece, many predating industrialization. They prioritize identifying easily removable, useless structures as a first step, advocating for a shift from dam-centric flood and drought management to parallel river interventions. This approach incorporates fish passage provisions in new projects.
- What is the immediate impact of Greece's failure to remove river obstacles, and what are the implications for its ecosystem and human communities?
- Greece has not removed any river obstacles in recent years, despite a widespread European and US practice of restoring free-flowing rivers. A new project by the Mediterranean Institute for Nature and Man (Medina) aims to address this, highlighting the necessity of collective effort for river restoration. This is crucial for both the ecosystem and human well-being.
- What are the long-term implications of the proliferation of small hydroelectric plants (SHEPs) in Greece, and how can their negative environmental impacts be mitigated?
- The new EU Nature Restoration Regulation mandates the clearing of 25,000 km of rivers by 2030, impacting Greece's river management. The proliferation of small hydroelectric plants (SHEP) poses a significant challenge, with 117 licensed and 597 in various stages of development in Greece last year. The unique case of the Aoos River, Europe's last free-flowing river, highlights the delicate balance between development and conservation.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the issue as one of urgent environmental crisis, emphasizing the negative consequences of obstacles in rivers and highlighting the need for immediate action. While this framing raises awareness, it might neglect the viewpoints of those who may benefit from some existing river structures or who may have concerns about the costs and feasibility of removal. The repeated use of phrases like "urgent necessity" and "environmental crisis" contributes to this framing.
Language Bias
While the article uses factual language, the frequent use of words like "urgent necessity", "environmental crisis", and "catastrophic" creates a sense of urgency and potential alarm. These terms could be replaced with more neutral language such as "significant concern", "environmental challenge", and "serious issue".
Bias by Omission
The article focuses on the removal of obstacles in rivers, but omits discussion of the potential benefits of some dams or other river interventions, such as flood control or irrigation. While acknowledging the negative impacts of unnecessary obstacles, a balanced perspective on the potential trade-offs would strengthen the analysis. The article also doesn't discuss the economic implications of removing these obstacles, which could impact local communities.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a dichotomy between 'free-flowing rivers' and rivers with obstacles, implying that all obstacles are inherently negative. This overlooks the nuanced reality that some river interventions might offer benefits alongside drawbacks. A more balanced perspective would acknowledge the complexity of river management.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights efforts to remove obstacles from rivers, restoring their natural flow. This directly benefits aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity, supporting the Life Below Water SDG. The restoration of free-flowing rivers improves water quality, habitat availability, and the overall health of aquatic life. The removal of unnecessary dams and other structures will allow for better fish migration and sediment transport.