Southern europe destroyed in fires. What to do?

[VetLegion]

Well Cerberus, it is not that clear cut with regards to land ownership here in the south. Most people have turned to tourism and other services and they do neglect most of their land that is not in agricultural use any more.

Also, land keeping books are not up to date, so officials would not know who to hold responsible for maintenance of forests even if there were a law that demanded it (I think there isn't)

But still, our firefighting abilities are stretched to the point of breaking and there are plenty of capacities that are idling in the north. There is some cooperation between countries that are neighbours but not much more than that.

All I am saying is that this is not natural and could be helped if there was will to do so.

[lightblue]

Also in general, the citizens of Mediterranean countries are far less environmentally inclined than "us Northerners". Most of these fires will have been started by locals.

As for us paying, why? Do you guys send us money when the floods strike? A europe wide disaster relief fund would be a good idea, but not solely funded by the Northern countries.

[FrustratedPoet]

How much relief money did Portugal and Spain give Germany, Hungary and the Czech Republic during those terrible floods last year? (this is a serious question, btw)

[VetLegion]

If you are looking for great climate check out Croatia. Land and house prices here are still much lower that in comparable EU countries. Just don't apply your forest regeneration theories here thank you

[VetLegion]

Originally posted by FrustratedPoet
How much relief money did Portugal and Spain give Germany, Hungary and the Czech Republic during those terrible floods last year? (this is a serious question, btw)

I don't know for them, but I bet they helped. Croatia is a small country but we like the Czech so we sent a few clean-up teams, some technical aid and some kids from Prague got invited to a free holidays here payed by our parliament. We have an emotional link with Praha, should have done much more.

[CerberusIV]

Originally posted by VetLegion
All I am saying is that this is not natural and could be helped if there was will to do so.

That more could, and should, be done including help from other european countries I entirely agree with.

The problem I, and probably many other people in northern europe, have is that southern europe sometimes seems like a black hole that swallows money and gives nothing back.

Two or three years ago it was reported that there was a drought in Sicily. We were told that it wasn't because it hadn't rained, or that there wasn't water in the reservoirs. The problem was apparently that money from the EU to pay for the pipes to distribute the water had "disappeared" without the pipes being installed. That kind of problem doesn't send a positive message to the taxpayers here.

The hot dry weather across europe this year is going to see a lot of people claiming compensation. By the time the politicians have finished arguing I doubt if many of them will really get the help they need.

[VetLegion]

Originally posted by lightblue
Also in general, the citizens of Mediterranean countries are far less environmentally inclined than "us Northerners". Most of these fires will have been started by locals.

Sure, sure. It is just a coincidence they happen when there are most tourists in the countries?

As for us paying, why? Do you guys send us money when the floods strike? A europe wide disaster relief fund would be a good idea, but not solely funded by the Northern countries.

Ofcourse not solely funded by the northern countries. But you have floods, what, once every three, four years? We have fires every year. Sometimes less, sometimes cathasthropic (like this year)

[lightblue]

Originally posted by VetLegion


Sure, sure. It is just a coincidence they happen when there are most tourists in the countries?

What the summer, when it is hot and dry? Go figure

[VetLegion]

That more could, and should, be done including help from other european countries I entirely agree with.

The problem I, and probably many other people in northern europe, have is that southern europe sometimes seems like a black hole that swallows money and gives nothing back.

The money spent in the south finds its way back north since almost nothing of significance is produced on the coasts of our enchanting blue seas

And it is not all about the money anyway. If you show a will to help it means something too.

[VetLegion]

lighblue, if your country looked like this you would be more compassionate maybe

[lightblue]

Oh, I sympatise, but blaming it on the tourists is a cop out imo. Hot weather and little to no rain results in fires. That this happens during the main tourist season (who come mostly during this period), is a coincidence not a cause.

[Bereta_Eder]

It's the first time I hear that tourists(!) of all people are to be blamed for the fires...
Arsenists, payed by lame constructors or other people who want to "clear" acres in order to build are the ones who put the fires.

And I don't see a reason for other EU countries to help us with the costs. The one thing that must be done, and in fact is being done, is to share human resources, firefighters, fire fighter planes and helicopters between countries. Something that is already being done.

And the net payers of the EU have every reason to question where the money go. Sicily is not an exception. The place stinks of EU infustructure money ending up in someone's pockets

[Bereta_Eder]

The solution to disuade arsenists and contractors of doing that is to automatically declare every fire stricken area as "non - buildable" as it is under the law here.

Now only if this law was enforced....

[Solly]

Southern europe destroyed in fires. What to do?

Troll response: Celebrate! That's the bull**** half of Europe gone.

Normal response: Selective burning every year. Burning one tenth of the forest in a controllable area of your own choosing is better than losing the whole damn lot and endagering lives and infrastructure. Of course, Greeny lefties would moan about this...

[Lefty Scaevola]

"Southern europe destroyed in fires. What to do?"

You shoud surrender to the USA before we unlease of next wave of climate alteration to crush Europes economic and social structure.