Article by the General Director of H.S.G.M.E., Andreas Tsokos, published in Oikonomikos Tachydromos.
We are living in a time of transition. Climate change, the pandemic, and the need for a fairer distribution of resources are setting new priorities for states and economies—priorities that are deeply connected to sustainable development.
Facing these challenges, the Hellenic Survey of Geology and Mineral Exploration (H.S.G.M.E.) plays a crucial role, contributing to a broad social transformation based on advanced scientific understanding. The effective management of strategic natural resources, the energy transition from lignite production to renewable energy sources, public health, smart cities, and digitalization represent the main challenges of our time—challenges that the European Commission seeks to address through its strategic planning.
It is our fundamental duty to work toward increasing the effectiveness and impact of our country's development action plans within the framework of a united Europe. In doing so, we also aim to contribute to the formulation and implementation of sound policies, based on shared analyses, common strategies, coordinated planning, joint actions, and improved reporting on a pan-European scale.
The H.S.G.M.E. of tomorrow is a forward-looking organization at the forefront of scientific progress in Greece, making a vital contribution to the utilization of Recovery Fund resources and the government’s strategy for transitioning to a low-carbon economy. This strategy aligns with the roadmap for addressing climate change and environmental challenges, as outlined in the European Green Deal—a plan that cannot succeed without ensuring the stability of the raw materials supply chain. Raw materials are the foundation of productive activities that contribute significantly to mitigating climate change and advancing the circular economy.
Our ambition is to contribute, through our initiatives, to balancing the often conflicting demands of “exploitation” and “management” of our planet—placing special emphasis on exploration and responsible use of subsurface resources, while addressing today’s and tomorrow’s challenges that underpin a globally competitive Europe. The increasing demand for detailed risk mapping and hazard assessments, as well as the response to emergencies and disaster management, require a deeper understanding of natural and human-induced processes and the associated geohazards. In this mission, our human capital plays a pivotal role.
The scientists who make up the H.S.G.M.E. staff are its greatest asset and a significant added value for the Greek State. Investing in them and their work is not only an obvious commitment but also a duty toward their invaluable contribution to the nation’s progress.
Building upon the accumulated knowledge and experience of our people, our primary goal in the coming years is to implement innovative solutions that capitalize on the results of a century of research by our Institution—ensuring the responsible use and effective management of natural resources (land, soil, water, energy, and raw materials). This includes energy storage, mitigation of natural and human-induced hazards, and the integration of digital technologies and data management. Through these efforts, the H.S.G.M.E. will help safeguard environmental sustainability, social well-being, and national progress in the digital age.
As scientists, as individuals, but above all as public servants, we are committed to the national effort and to serving the public interest. We look to the future with optimism—seeking greater resources for our mission and confident in the immense value the Hellenic Survey of Geology and Mineral Exploration can bring to Greece’s recovery and social cohesion.
With strength drawn from knowledge, we continue to serve Greece as the national geoscientific data center and as the State’s technical advisor on matters related to geology, energy, mineral resources, mining, geotechnics, hydrogeology, environment, and other related fields within our expertise.
Andreas Tsokos is the General Director of the Hellenic Survey of Geology and Mineral Exploration (H.S.G.M.E.).
Source: Oikonomikos Tachydromos