Article by HSGME General Director Andreas Tsokos on powergame.gr
We are living in an era of transition. Climate change, the pandemic, and the need for a fairer distribution of resources have set new priorities for states and economies — priorities that align with sustainable development.
The European Union is already moving toward setting new, more ambitious targets for reducing emissions by 55% by 2030. This effort spans the entire industrial landscape and presents new challenges for national institutions such as the Hellenic Survey of Geology and Mineral Exploration (HSGME).
At the same time, the effective management of strategic natural resources, the energy transition from lignite-based production to renewable energy sources, public health, smart cities, and digitalization all share a common foundation — they begin with the optimal use of research results from the Earth Sciences.
Within this context, we are called to take responsibility. It is our duty to work towards increasing the effectiveness and impact of our country’s development plans and to contribute to what the government calls “Greece 2.0” — the new Greek future. A vision that our country deeply needs — one capable of uniting and mobilizing all creative forces.
The role of HSGME
The HSGME of tomorrow is an organization at the forefront of scientific innovation in Greece, with a critical role in the utilization of Recovery Fund resources and a leading position in the government’s strategy for the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Our ambition is to contribute — through our actions — to the design, exploration, and utilization of the subsurface, while addressing today’s and tomorrow’s challenges in support of a competitive Europe.
Inevitably, mitigating the impacts of climate change has created — within the framework of Civil Protection — new requirements for detailed hazard mapping and emergency response. In this mission, the scientists of HSGME represent its greatest asset and a valuable contribution to the Greek State.
Investing in these people and their work is not just a commitment — it is an obligation in recognition of their contribution to the national effort. We will continue to seek the resources necessary to fulfill our mission effectively and with modern tools.
Our primary goal in the coming years is to implement innovative solutions that build upon the results of our organization’s century-long research history.
We are also investing heavily in outreach and engagement with local communities — highlighting our research work, our rare mineral and rock collections, and, above all, educating and inspiring students through interaction with our scientific activities.
We are proud that our educational program, aimed at teachers and students of primary and secondary education, has been officially recognized by the Ministry of Education.
We are ready to introduce Geological Science to students — either by visiting schools or by welcoming them to our exhibition space, which will soon be transformed into the “National Geological Museum.”
Very soon, through both traditional and digital means, we will showcase the Geosciences, creating a modern hub of knowledge in Attica that will enrich and elevate the wider region.
Earth Sciences
The HSGME is entering a new era — as are the Earth Sciences themselves. As scientists, citizens, and above all, public servants, we remain fully committed to the national effort and to serving the public interest.
By engaging daily with our fellow citizens, I sense that we have found strong allies in this shared mission. We therefore look to the future with optimism and confidence in the added value that the Hellenic Survey of Geology and Mineral Exploration can bring to Greece’s recovery and to the strengthening of social cohesion.
With strength drawn from knowledge, we continue to serve our country — honoring those who advanced Geological Science through our Commemorative Album, while striving to remain worthy of our mission and to bring more young people closer to our field.
Source: powergame.gr