More than 75% of Earth’s land area is already degraded, with an area equivalent to half the size of the European Union deteriorating annually. Currently, 250 million people are affected by desertification, and by 2045, 135 million people may be displaced due to these conditions.
In recognition of these alarming statistics, we at The American College of Greece celebrated World Environment Day with expert talks and open discussions on Wednesday, June 12, at the Arts Center Auditorium. Dr. Stella Apostolaki, Assistant Professor in the Department of Science and Mathematics & Executive Director of the Center of Excellence in Sustainability at ACG, set the tone with her keynote on “Climate Change as a Main Driver of Drought and Desertification: Land Restoration and Resilience.” Dr. Ioannis Kougkoulos, Assistant Professor in the Department of Science and Mathematics at ACG, presented “GIS Mapping of Drought and Desertification” and finally, Dr. Dimitrios Voloudakis, Part-time Instructor in the Department of Science and Mathematics at ACG and Scientific Collaborator at the Academy of Athens, discussed the impact of climate change, drought, and desertification on agriculture.
Following the lectures, participants attended the workshop “Sustainability in Artistic Practices,” led by artist Stella Evgena and art theorist/curator Matina Charalambi.
The event was organized by the ACG Center of Excellence in Sustainability, the ACG Office of Sustainability-Public Affairs, the ACG Arts Collection of the Frances Rich School of Fine and Performing Arts and Stella Evgena.
You can visit Stella Evgena’s art installation “Could We Foresee the Future?” and view the scientific poster display by ACG Environmental Studies professors at the top floor staircase of the ACG Communication Building until Monday, September 30, 2024.
Because ACG Cares!