Το παρατεταμένο και αδιέξοδο -επί του παρόντος- δράμα που ζει η Ελληνική κοινωνία έχει πολλαπλές συνέπειες. Οικονομικός μαρασμός, ανεργία, ανασφάλεια, αδιέξοδο είναι μερικά από τα επακόλουθα της πρωτόγνωρης οικονομικής κρίσης που μαστίζει τη χώρα μας. Αλλά το δραματικότερο είναι η κατάλυση του κράτους από συντεχνίες και μια αριστερά που εξάρει τα πάθη, τα μίση, το… Continue reading Ανοικτή Ελληνική Πολιτεία, Ανοικτή Ελληνική Κοινωνία
Author: Sophia Kalantzakos
Sophia Kalantzakos was born in Athens, Greece. After graduating from Yale and Columbia, she became a Member of the Hellenic Parliament in 2000 (the first woman elected from the State of Messinia), serving on the Committees for Foreign Affairs and Defense, European Affairs, and Education.
During her tenure as Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Employment and Social Protection, the government passed far-reaching pension reforms. Ms Kalantzakos also focused attention on the creation of green jobs through the use of EU structural funds for companies and environmental NGOs.
Ms. Kalantzakos' work has extended beyond the traditional policy realm, recognizing that cultural change and public engagement are essential to fostering a more sustainable and prosperous future. To that end, and in order to prepare future generations, she has authored a series of children's books which promote strong environmental themes.
In 2010 she left politics and was named Global Distinguished Professor in Environmental Studies and Public Policy at New York University. She also serves as a member of NYU's Sustainability Task Force, advising on strategy and communications around improving environmental performance and community engagement.
Ms. Kalantzakos has lectured widely on sustainability and public policy, addressing business, government and academic audiences on the challenges posed by the global ecological crisis and the opportunities inherent in strategic green economic development. Her research and teaching focus on the geopolitics of green growth and Europe’s path to sustainability. One current project examines how rhetoric about sustainability and clean energy in the United States has failed to engage the public or advance policy goals, in contrast with divergent approaches in Europe.
What’s the dramatic urgency for more conventional, riskier and dirtier fossil fuels?
In the class I teach this year at NYU entitled the “Global Politics of Green Growth” we have been focusing on how the reality of climate change has opened up new green growth opportunities in RES, new tech, R&D, energy efficiency, transportation etc. We have seen different approaches to transition to low carbon economy which… Continue reading What’s the dramatic urgency for more conventional, riskier and dirtier fossil fuels?
Is Europe Over?
The last few months have been very turbulent in Europe. Everyone has been focused on the fiscal crisis, the bailouts, the survival of the Euro and the Eurozone. Countries have been forced to take a new hard look at their spending and cuts are being prescribed everywhere. Greece, of course, is in a tailspin. The… Continue reading Is Europe Over?
Global Economic Crisis is a wake-up call to forge a faster path to sustainability
It is a sad fact that the financial crisis – which was never over to begin with - is once again spreading around the world. The photos in the New York Times depicting traders and investors around the world looking incredulously at tickers recording immense losses, show how the whole economic structure in its present… Continue reading Global Economic Crisis is a wake-up call to forge a faster path to sustainability
Questions about fracking? Then you must have an agenda!
The fight has now moved to the opinion pages of the New York Times (July 1, 2011) where Regina Hopper, President and Chief Executive, America’s Natural Gas Alliance is questioning the newspaper’s investigative reporting about fracking finances, practices and environmental risks. The most interesting comment in her short piece is contained in the following sentence.… Continue reading Questions about fracking? Then you must have an agenda!
The plot thickens as ban on hydraulic fracturing may be lifted in New York
According to a New York Times report (June 30, 2011), the Cuomo administration is seeking to lift the ban on fracking which has been in effect. The "justification" is that fracking can take place on private lands “under rigorous and effective controls”, not public land and not anywhere near the water supply of NYC and other… Continue reading The plot thickens as ban on hydraulic fracturing may be lifted in New York
Have “frackers” overplayed their hand?
It’s been fascinating to watch the debate over fracking develop in recent months. Companies who have been touting the benefits of shale gas and its growing importance for the US energy portfolio are been throw a curve ball. According to the New York Times, (June 29,2011) and following a series of articles published by the… Continue reading Have “frackers” overplayed their hand?
ΑΝ ΘΕΛΕΤΕ ΕΚΛΟΓΕΣ ΚΑΤΑΛΗΞΤΕ ΤΩΡΑ ΣΕ ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑΤΙΚΕΣ ΣΥΜΦΩΝΙΕΣ
Οι τελευταίες μέρες θα μείνουν αξέχαστες στην πολιτική ιστορία της σύγχρονης Ελλάδας. Στο χείλος της οικονομικής καταστροφής, με ανεπανόρθωτες οικονομικές συνέπειες για τη σημερινή γενιά αλλά και πολλές επόμενες γενιές Ελλήνων, ο πολιτικός κόσμος δεν μπορεί να συνεργαστεί. Η κυβέρνηση καταρρέει εκ των έσω μετά από διαβεβαιώσεις 20 μηνών πως μπορεί να διασώσει τη… Continue reading ΑΝ ΘΕΛΕΤΕ ΕΚΛΟΓΕΣ ΚΑΤΑΛΗΞΤΕ ΤΩΡΑ ΣΕ ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑΤΙΚΕΣ ΣΥΜΦΩΝΙΕΣ
Paying Attention to the Rhetoric: How fracking is becoming Red, White and Blue.
It is both fascinating and alarming to watch how the arguments undermining the path to sustainability in the United States are steadily and expertly being constructed by interests opposing it. First we have a deafening silence with regard to the far reaching potentials of energy efficiency and conservation. That too is part of the strategy.… Continue reading Paying Attention to the Rhetoric: How fracking is becoming Red, White and Blue.
Greek Parliamentarians: Stop posturing, roll-up your sleeves and do the job
What is it about politicians and posturing and delay tactics especially in critical moments which require urgent action and decisiveness? Greece is going through one of the most severe economic crises in its modern history and the EU and the IMF have been called in to support and help pull the country and its economy… Continue reading Greek Parliamentarians: Stop posturing, roll-up your sleeves and do the job
Sophia Kalantzakos 