Greek summer fires

Please help us make a difference and actually be heard from the Greek government.. Our forests burn every summer.. It's such a pity to lose every bit of green we have left in this country. And remember you don't have to be a Greek citizen to sign this because it affects us all!

Please read this and know why it is crucial that we act now:

1. Why are the forests being set on fire?
To clear out large acres of land for urbanization (to construct buildings for housing and commercial purpose)

2. What happens when the forests are burnt down?
(a) Greek forests are home to rare and endangered species. Forests also play an important role as breeding grounds for the wildlife. And when these forests are burnt down, the wildlife will gradually go extinct without a home and a breeding ground.
(b) Deforestation leads to oxygen depletion, and also increase in temperature, because leaves transpire and inhale CO2  and that leads to cooling of air, and when large areas of forests are burnt down, it leads to a raise in global temperature, leading to increase in global warming.

3. What is the solution to this?
(a) Reforestation is a major solution to the loss of so many .
(b) The forest dept currently employs only 1000 people, which was the same figure in 1913, when Greek population was 1/3rd of now. This employment number has to be increased in order to have more manpower to protect the forests. 
(c) Greek army can be effectively utilized to guard and protect the forests from arsonists during the high-risk seasons.

Please help us make a difference and actually be heard from the Greek government.. Our forests burn every summer.. It's such a pity to lose every bit of green we have left in this country. And remember you don't have to be a Greek citizen to sign this because it affects us all!

Please read this and know why it is crucial that we act now:

1. Why are the forests being set on fire?
To clear out large acres of land for urbanization (to construct buildings for housing and commercial purpose)

2. What happens when the forests are burnt down?
(a) Greek forests are home to rare and endangered species. Forests also play an important role as breeding grounds for the wildlife. And when these forests are burnt down, the wildlife will gradually go extinct without a home and a breeding ground.
(b) Deforestation leads to oxygen depletion, and also increase in temperature, because leaves transpire and inhale CO2  and that leads to cooling of air, and when large areas of forests are burnt down, it leads to a raise in global temperature, leading to increase in global warming.

3. What is the solution to this?
(a) Reforestation is a major solution to the loss of so many .
(b) The forest dept currently employs only 1000 people, which was the same figure in 1913, when Greek population was 1/3rd of now. This employment number has to be increased in order to have more manpower to protect the forests. 
(c) Greek army can be effectively utilized to guard and protect the forests from arsonists during the high-risk seasons.

We the undersigned,

have gathered our signatures so that we can be heard by the Greek government about the matter of our greatest natural wealth, our forests. Over the past summers we have lost over 60 per cent of them due to fires (most of which caused by arson), so we urge you to try and put an end to this madness by protecting our beautiful forests in any way you can. Please let us be heard because this is very harmful for our environment since it makes global warming come a step closer to each and every one of us. That is the reason why this petition has been signed not only by Greek citizens but also from people from all over the globe who are very disturbed about what is happening every year in Greece. Please take under consideration our voices screaming for an end to this insanity!

Clearing up our precious trees, only to make way for new concrete houses is unacceptable. In a few years we will be left with nothing to pass on to our children, and this beautiful country that everyone from around the world comes to visit and explore will be nothing anymore. We, the great nation that inspired democracy and justice, the strong country that gave birth to the Olympic Games, will end up with nothing to hold dear anymore.

Once again, we urge you to act now and save as many trees we still have left. Thank you for taking the time to read our letter.