Breaking Greece's Climate Trap: From Drought to Deluge

Greece faces a perilous cycle of droughts and floods worsened by climate change. While scientists offer solutions like early warning systems and nature-based approaches, political inertia hampers proactive planning. Resilience-building projects could mitigate such climate risks and create local jobs, emphasizing the need for a governance shift.

Greece is grappling with a damaging cycle of prolonged droughts followed by severe floods, a consequence of climate change affecting water cycles. Scientists have the technical capacity to address these challenges through early warning systems and nature-based solutions.

However, political inertia remains a significant obstacle. Recent EU legal action against Athens highlights the slow pace of flood preparedness, urging a transition from reactive to proactive disaster management. Existing infrastructure fails to meet current climate realities, demanding urgent restructuring.

Experts advocate for a combination of nature-based solutions and robust governance to build climate resilience. Small-scale local interventions could drastically reduce flood damage and associated costs while creating employment opportunities through European funding projects, urging a shift in governance to adaptive, resilient planning.

(With inputs from agencies.)