Our Environment

Sifnos under a clear blue sky

Today we are on Sifnos – another island full of beauty. As World Environment Day approaches (Friday 5 June) I have been pondering the widespread use of wind and solar power on the islands we have sailed to so far. By comparison in Australia we are nowhere near as clever with using the resources of nature available to us.

Wind power in Greece is set to expand by 352% by 2010 to meet the European target of 20% coverage of energy needs from renewable sources.
Greece chose to invest primarily to wind power by 77%, while the rest of renewable sources altogether comprise the remaining 23% of production with hydroelectric power being second with 11%.

Solar energy is commonly used in the isalnds

Look at the sign on the wallof this cafe on Sifnos. Solar and wind generated power are used everywhere in the Greek islands.

Australia could really take a leaf out of their book. Does our coal
abundance make us so scared to admit there are other ways to power our
lives?

Sailing in to a beautiful bay in Levitha

I am always impressed by families who are self sufficient.

Only one family lives at this bay on Levitha. The same family has occupied the island for 350 years. They grow food for their livestock (goats & sheep – about 650 head), as well as tomatoes, onions ,garlic and potatoes. Fishing supplements their diet. They travel north to Patros for supplies and the round trip takes about 6 hours – so don’t forget anything!

These people are self sufficient for power – using wind power and solar power.

Wind and Solar POwer for Self Sufficieny on Levitha

These wind turbines really hum. With the winds we encountered over the last few days I don’t think power would be a problem. During our 4 hour push to Amorgos from Levitha  (about 30 nautical miles) the wind was quite strong and the sea a little unfriendly, however we managed speeds of up to 9.2 knots.

I have seen many examples on these smaller islands of people who are very content with generating power from the simple and easily accessed sources of sun and wind. I hope to see many more on my travels over the next few weeks.

Wind Power Wins Again on Levitha

View from the yacht before leaving dry dock

In the last few northern hemisphere spring and summer seasons I have found myself on board a yacht travelling as much as we can via wind power (i.e. sailing) through international waters from Croatia to Greece. Along the way I am keeping an eye on changes in the climate from year to year as well as listening to locals about their observations on climate change, wind generated power, solar power and global warming.

For the next couple of months I am going to be travelling thanks to wind generated power. So, every couple of days I’ll be updating this blog with my exploits and discoveries.

This year I am setting sail from Leros, Greece. This island is part of the Dodecanese Islands. It is located in the north western part of the archipelago, between the islands of Patmos and Kalymnos – closer to Turkey than Athens!

Its surface is about 54 square kilometers with a length of 15 kilometers. The coastline is about 46 kilometers, littered with small bays that are ideal for sightseeing, swimming, diving or fishing.

This is an island that does not have any smog with secluded coves as well as a gentle countryside and impressive bays for larger yachts.

Climate change is not a media phrase to these people. On this island they live off agriculture, particularly bee keeping, so what is happening with the climate directly affects them each and every day. In summer, tourism is another source of income – one which can also be adversely affected by changes in the climate.

My conversations with the locals have confirmed that this past winter was the wettest anyone can remember and this has been followed by rain in spring (the first time I have encountered this in my travels). There also appears to be many more biting insects this year – especially mosquitoes, again something I have not experienced here before.

Let the adventure and research begin – I’ll keep you posted.

View of a bay near Lakki