It’s deeply saddening to witness the things we cherish coming to an end. Thus, as the beauty of the scenery in Ioannina, a small city in Greece, where we grew up and are fond of, started declining, we felt the urge to inform our fellow citizens about an issue that is representative of many other environmental problems. Specifically the canker stain disease troubling the plane trees of our region is a lethal disease caused by the fungus Ceratocystis platani, introduced to Europe from North America. This particular illness attacks only plane trees and no other flora species, according to the foresters of the local Forest Service.

The fungus results in total necrosis of the plane trees

As part of a school outreach to raise students’ awareness of this particular disease, Mr. Rigas Tsiakiris, Ms. Spyridoula Zoi, and Ms. Stavroula Seli were interviewed by us at the end of their visit, explaining that the fungus spreads through the vascular system of the root, trunk, and branches, resulting in total necrosis, which does not allow a chance for treatment but only for the prevention of its spreading.

In Greece, as well as in other regions of the world, such as the Southern Balkans and the Middle East, the plane tree plays a primary role due to its cultural, social, and historical value.  For example, there are chapels within large plane trees, that have become centers of social gatherings.

Plane trees, a distinct ecosystem

It is also remarkable that plane trees constitute a distinct ecosystem on which many species of small mammals, birds, insects, lichens, and fungi depend.

In the continuation of our cooperation, we accompanied Mr. Tsiakiris on a field research trip to the lakeside area of the city to observe the problem and identify the steps that have been taken to address it. In particular, we saw the diseased trees, as well as the efforts of experts to treat them. We learned that whenever an ill plane tree is identified, it is cut down with appropriate machinery, the roots up to 80 meters in length, are killed with chemicals, it is burned on the spot, upon suitable conditions, and finally, it is replaced with trees such as oaks, ash trees, and maples, which are considered resistant species that are able to thrive in the area’s microclimate.

A disease with lots of multiple impacts

This disease has multiple negative impacts. The death and removal of the trees can lead to soil erosion, landslides, and increased risk of flooding. The affected areas also experience aesthetic degradation and loss of biodiversity. This can negatively affect tourism, which mostly relies on the area’s natural beauty. The dead trees also pose a danger to workers and their equipment. Construction and maintenance are made more difficult due to the presence of dead trees and the risk of spreading the fungus to healthy trees. Most of the negative aspects of this disease are related to the UN’s 15th Sustainable Development Goal, “Life on Land,” which aims to protect forests and prevent desertification and deforestation. However, what causes the destruction of our natural heritage

The reasons

The main reasons for this still unsolved issue are the lack of information on the subject, as well as poor management by understaffed environmental organizations. It is impossible, therefore, but above all wrong, to blame a specific agency for not taking any action regarding the handling of the situation, as is the case with most environmental problems of our time.

Therefore, regarding the solution to the issue, it is obvious that we cannot see dramatic changes overnight. However, like this one, all other similar global environmental issues require attention at the individual, communal, national, and international levels.

Social awareness is also an important action

There are, however, many actions that can help address the crisis. Initially, one of the most important actions is raising public awareness by the authorities and the state, and vice versa. Not only must citizens listen carefully to the announcements of experts but also immediately inform them if they observe or suspect alterations in the trees. A simple walk, an excursion to a riverside area, and an observant citizen are enough to save a forest. In addition, the Mass Media and Social Networking need to provide accurate information and encourage people to put words into action regarding nature protection. Also, governments need to provide the legal framework and financial resources to the qualified bodies for easier and faster completion of their efforts. For example, the mandatory disinfection of cutting tools and the strict control of the implementation of the disinfection protocol is a necessary measure to curb the disease.

Finally, we must realize that such situations are cross-border and transnational. For this reason, the only way is cooperation and assistance between states and, consequently citizens, for the development of common strategies and action plans on a global scale. After all, isn’t this what the 17th Sustainable Development Goal provides for? The establishment of partnerships to achieve common goals.

We are simply guests on this planet

Summarizing, ecological problems are global and daily, so with appropriate solutions and proper cooperation, we can improve the conditions under we live. We, as citizens, must be united and remember that on this planet we are simply guests. We can campaign for environmental protection and pressure the authorities to push us towards a radical ecological change, for the better. Only in this way will we ensure a sustainable future for the generations to come. We as the authors of this article, teenagers and active citizens, have presented our opinion and the current data. You hold the solution to the ecological problems that concern your community in your hands. What do you choose to do?

Protecting the planet is everyone’s business!

Authors: Galini – Ioanna Vazaka, Polyvios Vasiliadis, Phoebe Gouskou, Miltos Dosis, Giorgos – Konstantinos Konstantinou, Aggelos Lykas, Olga – Maria Margariti

Logo creators: Miltos Dosis, Aggelos Lykas