- The Research Centre for Atmospheric Physics and Climatology of the Academy of Athens, which was founded by Elias Mariolopoulos, and the MKF jointly organized a speech by Anne Thompson, Professor and Corresponding Member of the Academy of Athens, titled “Celebrating 25 Years of SHADOZ: A Review of Accomplishments”.
The speech took place on April 24, 2023 in the East Hall of the Palace of the Academy of Athens. Professor Thompson presented the chronological evolution of the 3D tropospheric ozone monitoring network in the Tropics over the past 25 years. The network covers both polluted and unpolluted areas of the planet. The conclusions of the study have been used in the reports of the UN World Meteorological Organization and by hundreds of scientists from dozens of countries.
The speech was followed by a reception in honor of Professor Thompson.
The speaker, Professor Ms. Anne Thompson and, Corresponding Member of the Academy of Athens
- On May 2, 2023 at the Palace of the Academy of Athens, an event was organized by the Academy of Athens and the MKF for the presentation of the Report titled “The Resilience of Greek Forest Ecosystems to Climate Change”, which was prepared by the Commission for the Resilience of Greek Forest Ecosystems to Climate Change (EADO). EADO operated under the auspices of the Academy of Athens while the publication and dissemination of the results was supported by the MKF.
The event was welcomed by the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Mr. Christos Stylianidis. After an introduction by the Secretary General of the Academy of Athens and President of the MKF, there were presentations by the members of EADO: Mr. Philippos Aravanopoulos, Professor of Forestry at the AUTH , Ms. Margarita Arianoutsou, Professor Emeritus of the Biology Department of the UOA, Mr. Kostas Kalambokidis, Professor of Geography at the University of the Aegean, Academician Mr. Andreas Karamanos, former Rector of the Agricultural University of Athens and member of the MKF Board, Mr. Charalampos (Haris) Kontoes Research Director of the National Observatory, and Mr. Anastasios Xepapadeas, Professor Emeritus of the Athens University of Economics and the University of Bologna.
The report is a comprehensive study on the past, the present and the future of climate change and its relation to forest ecosystems and forest fires in Greece. The report assesses future impacts of climate change on the resilience of Greek forests and lists targets and measures for the mitigation of these impacts. The report will be translated into English and it will be published with the support of the Mariolopoulos-Kananginis Foundation for Environmental Sciences.
Distinguished from the left: The Professor of the University of Thessaloniki Mr. Filippos Aravanopoulos, the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Mr. Christos Stylianidis, the Secretary General of the Academy of Athens and President of the MKI prof. Christos Zerefos, the Director of Research of the National Observatory Mr. Haris Kontoes, the Emeritus Professor of the University of Economics of Athens and the University of Bologna Mr. Anastasios Xepapadeas and the former Academic Rector of the Agricultural University of Athens and member of Board of Directors of MKI Mr. Andreas Karamanos.
- On September 25-29, 2023 the 16th International Conference on Meteorology, Climatology and Atmospheric Physics took place.
In his opening scientific speech, the President of the MKF, C. Zerefos dedicated a scientific obituary to the deceased Christos Repapis, a prominent Member of the MKF and he associated his scientific work with the burning issues of his speech on the effects of the climate crisis.
The 16th International Conference on Meteorology, Climatology and Atmospheric Physics was dedicated to the impacts of climate change on the environment and people (https://www.comecap2023.gr/). The conference was co-organized with a hybrid character by the University of West Attica (UNIWA), the Hellenic Meteorological Society (EMTE) and the Mariolopoulos-Kananginis Foundation for Environmental Sciences (MKF), under the auspices of the Ministry of Environment & Energy, from 25th to 29th September, 2023, at the conference venue of the UNIWA University Campus at the Ancient Olive Orchard (Elaionas). During the proceedings of COMECAP 2023, more than 250 scientific papers in cutting-edge scientific fields related to climate change were presented, such as Meteorology, Atmospheric Physics, Climatology, Energy, the Environment and Public Health ( freely accessible from the scientific journal, “Environmental Sciences Proceedings”, https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4931/26/1).
More specifically, on the fields of Meteorology and Atmospheric Physics, 116 scientific studies were presented by distinguished Greek and foreign scientists. According to these announcements, weather forecasting models capable of responding to the needs of a timely and valid forecast have been developed with the aim of informing the state and protecting the infrastructure and citizens’ lives. Also, the application and use of observations from satellites is important, thus contributing significantly to better forecasting of extreme weather events as well as the evolution of natural disasters, such as forest fires. At the same time, in recent years there has been an increasing occurrence in the frequency but also in the number of electrical discharges during storms and in general an increase in heavy rainfall, which lead to flooding events.
In the scientific field of Climatology, 61 scientific studies were presented, according which the Mediterranean region will be significantly affected by climate change, based on climate models until the year 2100. This effect will have an impact on all Mediterranean countries, creating problems and a new development in many sectors such as agricultural production, the economy, the protection of cultural monuments, and people’s everyday life in general.
In the field of Energy and Environmental Protection, 25 scientific papers were reported, which aimed to highlight the problems in the energy sector in the next 50 -70 years. The findings of these papers and the discussions that followed among the members of the scientific community demonstrated the need to change the energy mix, with a greater penetration of Renewable Energy Sources (RES), the rational use and saving on energy, the penetration of electric mobility in a sustainable way and the need to develop energy storage systems especially in remote areas, as are several not interconnected islands of Greece.
Finally, in the field of the Environment and the impacts on Public Health, 64 papers were presented. The findings of these papers demonstrated the need for a turn in the generation and use of “clean” energy, with the aim of decreasing atmospheric pollutants in urban areas. Also, several studies referred to the period of confinement due to COVID-19, where a relatively significant reduction in pollutants in the atmosphere of cities was found, yet with simultaneous impacts on the mental health of people and especially children. However, besides atmospheric pollution, several scientific papers highlighted serious problems of pollution in the sea, lakes and rivers, for example considerable amounts of micro-plastics in the waters of Lake Yliki. The findings underline the ubiquitous presence of plastic and the need for regulated assessment of water reserves for the protection of the environment and human health.
To sum up, COMECAP 2023 was an important scientific event that took place at the UNIWA facilities and during which more than 1250 scientists from more than 20 countries presented cutting-edge studies and innovative ideas and solutions to address climate change and its adverse effects on the environment, constructions and public health. COMECAP 2023 was crowned with complete success and the wish of all participants was the orderly cooperation between the state and the scientific community, for the benefit of the environment and humanity in general.
Pictured from the left are: Georgios Ioakeimidis, Mayor of Nikaia-Ag. I. Rentis, the Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Conference, UNIWA Professor, Konstantinos Moustris, Professor Rob Allan (Met Office Η.Β.), Mr. Nikolaos Karatarakis, meteorologist (HNMS), the Rector of UNIWA, Professor E. Kaldis, Dr. Georgios Spyropoulos (UNIWA), the Secretary General of the Academy of Athens, Professor Christos Zerefos, the Chairman of the Hellenic Meteorological Society, Professor Panagiotis Nastos and the Commander of the Hellenic National Meteorological Service, Brigadier General (MT) Spyridon Barsakis.
- On October 5 and 6, 2023 the International Conference of the American Physiological Society in collaboration with the Hellenic Physiological Society, entitled “Mechanisms of Physiological Homeostasis in Health and Disease”, was held at the Academy of Athens.
The Mariolopoulos-Kananginis Foundation for Environmental Sciences (MKF) was among the major sponsors and co-organizers. The Foundation’s President and Secretary General of the Academy of Athens, Professor Christos Zerefos represented the MKF in the organizing Committee.
At this conference, which took place in the Main Hall of the Academy of Athens, the newest interesting aspects of the Mechanisms of Physiological Homeostasis in Health and Disease were discussed.
The Conference was opened by the President of the American Physiological Society and Publishing Managing Director of the Journal “Physiological Reviews”, Professor Sadis Matalon PhD.ScD (hic)FAPS.
The Official opening lecture was delivered by the Secretary General of the Academy of Athens and President of the MKF, Professor Christos Zerefos. This was followed by interesting high-level presentations by Greek and International personalities in the broad and interesting field of Physiology.
The President of MKF C. Zerefos addressing the Conference.
- On Friday, October 23, 2023, the Union of Greek Physicists and the Mariolopoulos-Kananginis Foundation for Environmental Sciences co-organized an event at KYBE- Conference Center of Peristeri on “Climate Crisis. Facing Climate Collapse?”
The Day Conference was honored with the presence of distinguished researchers and scientists, as well as Directors of Secondary Education and dozens of Directors of school units of Attica Region, and a large number of school and university students.
The President of the MKF, Christos Zerefos delivered a speech where he highlighted the major environmental issue, sending a clear message to the state and to society as a whole and he pointed out that environmental education must become a priority at the primary and secondary educational levels so as to cultivate and establish environmental awareness among students and future citizens of the country from the first stages of their lives.
- On October 27-28, 2023 on the occasion of the recent storm Daniel (September 4-7, 2023) and the subsequent storm Elias (September 25-27, 2023), which hit Thessaly in Greece, the “Argo- Hellenic Network in the European Union” organized a scientific meeting on dealing with this global threat in Zagorochoria of Epirus, a place that has been included as a cultural landscape in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The subversion of the planet’s ecological balance and its individual catastrophic manifestations, with a focus on climate change, were discussed by the participating eminent scientists with key speakers Academician Mr. Christos Zerefos, Secretary General of the Academy of Athens, President of the MKF and many other Academies, and Mrs. Maria Karamanof, President of the Chamber of Environment and Sustainability, Vice-President of the CoS hon.
The discussion, in which experts from the field and officials of the European Commission took part, highlighted the need to deal with climate change not as an isolated phenomenon but as one that is inextricably linked to the discrediting and abandonment of the principles of sustainable development in the design and implementation of all public policies (economic and social, energy, transport, spatial planning etc.) at a global level. In other words, public policies must, alongside ensuring citizens’ well-being and the competitiveness of the European economy, be planned with the aim of addressing the enormous impacts on Europe and mankind of the accelerating and extremely dangerous global phenomenon of climate change.
In particular in relation to the European Union, it was stressed that it is necessary to adopt and primarily implement prevention-mitigation measures against the impacts of climate change, which are harmonized with its permanent policy for the protection of the environment, so that the former do not counteract the latter. This presupposes, among other things, the adaptation of these measures to the particular characteristics of the natural environment of each member-state, in proportion to its contribution to addressing climate change, so that Europe’s valuable environmental reserve can be preserved and in order to ensure both the effectiveness of the measures and their social acceptance.
The meetings were held in Vitsa, at the premises of the private initiative “Land Beyond”, which is an admirable example of the application of the principles of sustainable development and environmental information and awareness of the global citizens’ society. From this world cultural heritage site and the seat of a practical and consistent application of the principles of sustainable development, Argo, on the day of the national “NO” anniversary, sends a message in every direction and in particular to the European Commission, “NO” to neglecting the immediate adoption and strict implementation of EU and global measures for the protection of the environment and the interception of the galloping climate change”. After all, in a recent study prepared by the Potsdam Institute, the Academy of Athens and other reputable institutions on behalf of the Aquila Company, the first phase of the Paris Agreement for the participation of Renewable Energy Sources by 80% by 2030 in the Member-States of the EU is feasible and must be implemented immediately.
- On November 6, 2023 the Mariolopoulos-Kananginis Foundation for Environmental Sciences organized a meeting at the Foundation’s facilities within the framework of the European LIFE IP AdaptIn GR Program. The Academy of Athens, the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MEEN), the Mariolopoulos-Kananginis Foundation and other well-known Foundations and bodies participate in this European program.
The aim of the meeting was targeted information on climate change issues and the parallel development of know-how and partnerships for optimal action in the design, integration and implementation of climate change adaptation in business plans.
The meeting was attended by scientists and experts from the Tourism sector and the Insurance sector, as these sectors are among the entities that will be most affected by the impacts of climate change.
The meeting was welcomed by Dr. P. Varelidis, General Secretary of Natural Environment and Waters of the MEEN. Subsequently, speeches were made by Mr. C. Zerefos, Secretary General of the Academy of Athens and President of the MKF, Mrs. I. Tsalakanidou, Coordinator of the Directorate of Climate Change & Atmospheric Quality of the MEEN, Mrs. P. Nicolopoulou-Stamati, Secretary General of the MKF, Mr. G. Vernikos, President of INSETE, Mrs. M. Kesisoglou, Advisor to the President of SETE and Mr. E. Moatsos, Head of the Property, Reinsurance, Cargo & Hull Committee.
Finally, there was a long discussion and exchange of views among the participants.
The President of MKF C. Zerefos during his presentation. The panel includes Dr. P. Varelidis, General Secretary of Natural Environment and Waters of the MEEN and Mrs. P. Nicolopoulou – Stamati, Secretary General of the MKF.