120,000 Sign Petition to Protect the Blue Heart of Europe

The Blue Heart of Europe is thought to be the last remaining true wildernesses on the Continent, and is an area of around 2,500 square miles in Albania and Greece.

The beautiful place contains the 169-mile river Vjosa; unfortunately, the free-flowing waters of this piece of heaven are under threat from around 36 planned developments. From Slovenia South to Greece, around 1,000 already exist while close to 3,000 are planned to be constructed.

Campaigners are concerned as the blocking or diverting the paths of the rivers will have a detrimental impact on biodiversity, local communities and tourist industry; for example, river Vjosa is very popular for its white-water rafting trips.

This week, a group of environmental organizations and even clothing brand Patagonia sent a petition to the London headquarters of the European Bank of Reconstruction and Redevelopment, calling for commercial lenders in Europe to restrict funding the projects in these protected areas, apply more stringent green conditions and rechannel the money towards lower-impact renewable energy sources.

“120,000 signatures represents the largest petition response that EBRD has ever received on energy issues,” said Fidanka McGrath, from financial campaigner group Bankwatch.

“The bank prides itself on moving markets, so we hope it will take this groundswell of global public opinion to heart and drive investments in a more diverse mix of renewables, while also applying strict environmental and social safeguards.”

Yvon Choulnard, founder of Patagonia brand and the one behind the Blue Heart documentary, named the dam investments “a waste of money and a moral travesty”.

The campaign has already enjoyed a victory as the court in Bosnia and Herzegovina halted an environmental permit for dam construction on the Kruscica river.

You can also be part of the movement and sign the petition here.

Source: telegraph.co.uk