Zero emissions aviation is taking too long to arrive. Already, four decades ago, on April 23, 1988, a world record for human-powered flight -- still standing -- was set: 3 hrs 54 minutes and 115 km. It was the culmination of years of research at MIT, into aerodynamics, lightweight structures and human physiology. Inspired by the ancient Greek ...
When it comes to Overtourism, the neoliberal win-win recipe seems to be "focus on the rich few". This also seems to be the case with the Acropolis, where exclusive private tours are once more offered at dawn or at dusk, before the unlucky hordes, and will cost the rich and famous a trifling 5,000 Euros per group of 5 (max) compared to the ordinary ...
The forthcoming EU Green Claims Directive will require any voluntary environmental claim or label used in B2C marketing in the EU to be specific, evidence‑based, independently verified, and transparently communicated, with significant penalties for greenwashing. Its aims are positive, although it would be best to have mandatory laws rather than foc...
Tired of getting into circular arguments with die-hard fossil fuel supporters about the 'unsustainability' and fake greenness of electric vehicles (EVs) I decided to do a little research. Some key findings for your own conversations and debates! EVs do indeed have an environmental footprint. According to a landmark International Energy Ag...
"The fox fell silent and looked at the Little Prince for a while. "Please... tame me!" she said." - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Le Petit Prince (1943).Wildlife is supposed to be wild, not habituated. Yet, highly intelligent wild animals that are dietary generalists, like foxes, are very prone to habituation in high-visitation natural ...
No matter what lengths corporate chains, green-certified or not, may go to convince you that they are just as beneficial for local communities and the planet as small, locally-owned, family-run tours and accommodations, the simple truth is they are not because they can never be. The long explanation is at https://ecoclub.com/about/philosophy . The short one is that they are run for the benefit of corporate shareholders, and adequate corporate profits in an exploitative system can only be made by fully exploiting everything and everyone, and then maybe throwing back some CSR chunks to the community for the annual ESG report. Whereas, you can support local families directly! It's not a difficult choice, as according to estimates, for example in Greece, about 80% of all hotels are under 50 rooms and the overwhelming majority of these are independent and family-run. If you can also find a self-managed or cooperatively-owned establishment, such as a taverna, cafe, brewery, winery or other attraction nearby, do likewise! You do not have to start a revolution on your holidays, just choose wisely and locally (after researching ownership), book directly (not through major exploitative OTAs) and who knows you may just break the chains!
Nestled high on Mt. Mainalon in Arcadia, the Drakotrypia cave – or the Dragon's Hole – offers a fascinating detour for those exploring the green heart of the Peloponnese. This cave, explored in 1969 but still blessedly undeveloped, sits about 5km from and overlooks the picturesque stone-built village of Vytina. Its location, a short detour off the ...
80 years ago, on this day, December 3, 1944, and for a month, Athens became a battlefield. Extreme positions and cruelty on both sides, plus the hand of outside powers keen, as always, on dividing and ruling led to thousands of deaths, followed by tens of thousands in the ensuing Greek Civil war 1946-1949, which still poisons political life in Gree...
When visiting a cultural or natural site, many rush past, some look, few see. A humble waterfall in the centre of Athens' National Garden is a favourite spot of mine as you just can hear soothing water sounds in ultra stereo mode while relaxing on a strategically placed bench. Tourists, couples, small groups, and the occasional horde ...
Literally translating to flour-smudging, Alevromoutzouroma is a traditional flour throwing festival taking place every Clean Monday (the Monday marking the beginning of Lent) in the historic port of Galaxidi (Map) Central Greece. Galaxidi was an strategic fortified stronghold since antiquity controlling trade routes in the ...
