“A LOT still needs to be done on the island to protect and safeguard the environment and we must enforce more than 140 EU directives on the matter.”
That was the verdict of Environment Commissioner Charalambos Theopemptou, who was speaking on the occasion of World Environment Day today.
Going into detail, the Commissioner called for a national action plan for the reduction of energy usage, especially electricity and also highlighted the, “very serious problem of water shortages and water handling.”
He also stated that a proper waste management policy needs to be devised, along with an improvement in environmental impact assessments, “whose quality is falling short at present.”
Theopemptou added that, “by 2012, all Municipalities with a population over 2,000 people must be serviced by a central sewerage plant and I feel that there is now not enough time to organise and construct such a system.”
He blamed the construction industry for many of the environmental problems currently seen and also spoke of a problem with public consultations, saying political parties and NGOs do not respond adequately.
“The public have the right to be kept informed on all environmental matters, including air quality, noise pollution, the protection of nature, traffic and the welfare of animals,” he said.
“The EU has already made us implement a lot when it comes to environmental legislation and we must ensure that all of the relevent laws are applied.”
Green Party leader, George Perdikis agreed, saying, “the government must act and take measures to protect the environment.”
The Party is this week holding a series of event to mark World Environment Day, including recognising those working for its betterment, a public discussion, collection of unwanted electrical appliances and the cleaning of numerous beaches.
Costas Orountiotis is the Assistant Director of the Cyprus Conservation Foundation: he spoke of his concern over renewable energy sources policy, including wind generators and photovoltaic technology.
“I am worried about the inability of Cyprus, as an isolated island, to export electrical energy during overproduction. There is no way for us to store this energy.”
He added that, “in general, Cyporiots are very much in love with the environment and want its betterment.”
In a statement, Environment Minister Fotis Fotiou said: “The Environment and its history and tradition is the most important thing we have. It must be prioritised and passed onto future generations. For a better future, everybody must change the way they live and take on more environmental responsibilities.”
World Environment Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 and is hosted every year by a different city and commemorated with an international exposition through the week of June 5.
This year’s topic is: “Melting Ice – a Hot Topic?”
During International Polar Year, World Environment Day focuses on the effects that climate change is having on polar ecosystems and communities, on other ice and snow-covered areas of the world, and the resulting global impacts.
The main international celebrations this year will be held in the City of Troms?, Norway, a city north of the Arctic Circle self-styled as “The Gateway to the Arctic”.
A UNEP statement reads: “The day’s agenda is to give a human face to environmental issues; empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development; promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues; and advocate partnership, which will ensure all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future. World Environment Day is a people’s event with colourful activities such as street rallies, bicycle parades, green concerts, essays and poster competitions in schools, tree planting, as well as recycling and clean-up campaigns.
