- What type of organization best describes you? We are a non-profit environmental organization located in Corfu, Greece.
- Describe your organization: We are a group of volunteers committed to raising environmental awareness in Corfu, and beyond. We participate in regular beach and road cleanups, educational workshops about the environment, we run a weekly recycling center (since there is no public recycling on the island), and actively engage with the local government to promote sustainable practices and positive change.
- Describe your project: Our organization (Green Pelekas–see us on Facebook), based in Corfu, Greece, is working to address a critical gap in environmental education and awareness on the island. Corfu is a place of extraordinary natural beauty, but its environment is increasingly under threat due to over-tourism, outdated practices and systemic challenges (including the economic crisis and corruption). Air pollution is a serious and growing concern, especially during the months when open burning is legally permitted–from November 1 to May 1. During this period, residents regularly burn branches and garbage (in addition to burning wood for heating due to its affordability in comparison with electricity and gas), contributing significantly to poor air quality. Corfu is also affected by seasonal dust transport from the Sahara, making real-time air quality monitoring even more essential. Many people think islands in Greece have pristine air quality, but this is not true at all. Our air quality is often worse than in big cities around the world (we currently have one private monitor on the island).
Our team, composed entirely of local Greeks, is actively engaged in community-based initiatives to promote sustainable alternatives and raise awareness of the environmental and health impacts of burning. We are working to introduce mulching as a viable option for agricultural waste, conduct educational campaigns and advocate for behavioral change. However, to strengthen our efforts, we need more data. We are seeking support from PurpleAir to expand our monitoring network, strengthen our environmental education programs, and ultimately contribute to the protection of Corfu’s fragile ecosystem and to the health of its residents and visitors. - Which PurpleAir models are you interested in and how many would you want for your project? The Classic Plus or Flex make sense for our project. We would like 5 to cover the whole island.
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