- On March 11, 2024 a Day Conference was organized by the MKF within the framework of action Ε2.4 of the LIFE-IP AdaptIn GR project. The purpose of the conference was to develop synergies between private and public agencies in order to support the adaptation of different professional groups to climate change.The day conference of March 11, 2024 focused on the sectors of Maritime Affairs and Coastal Zones.The day conference was coordinated by the President of the MKF, Academician Mr. Ch. Zerefos and the Secretary of the MKF Board, Professor of Environmental Pathological Anatomy at the Medical School of the NKUA, Mrs. Polyxeni Nicolopoulou-Stamati.The conference was welcomed by Mr. A. Koulidis, Deputy Director of the Directorate of Environmental Licensing of the Hellenic Ministry of the Environment and Energy (YPEN), on behalf of the General Secretary of Natural Environment and Water of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, Mr. P. Varelidis. It was also attended by Mrs. A. Gryllia, Chief Secretary of the Directorate of Climate Change and Atmospheric Quality. Mr. H. Prevezas was present on behalf of the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Mr. Ch. Stylianidis.This was followed by presentations by the President of the MKF, Academician Mr. Ch. Zerefos, Professor-Academician Mr. K. Synolakis and Mrs. Tsalakanidou, Project Coordinator from the Directorate of Climate Change and Atmospheric Quality of the Ministry of the Environment and Energy, the Secretary of the Union of Greek Shipowners Mr. D. Fafalios, Chief Captain Mr. G. Maragos and Captain Mr. S. Markoulakis on behalf of the Hellenic Coast Guard. The conference was also addressed by Mr. V. Kapsimalis, Deputy Director of the Institute of Oceanography of the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Mrs. P. Nicolopoulou-Stamati, Professor of Medicine at the NKUA and Secretary General of the MKF and Mr. N. Kampanis, Head of Laboratory at the Technology and Research Foundation.A discussion and luncheon followed.
General view of the participants during the Conference.
Screenshot from Academician Mr. Konstantinos Synolakis’ speech.
- On June 20, 2024, the Region of Peloponnese in collaboration with the Association of Greek Regions (ENPE) and the Central Union of Municipalities of Greece (KEDE) organized a Day Conference titled “Adaptation of the Peloponnese Region to Climate Change”.The event was held at the Grecotel Filoxenia Hotel in Kalamata. The aim of the Conference was to inform and raise awareness among the residents of the Peloponnese regarding the adaptation of their Region to climate change through the presentation of relevant policies and strategic plans.The MK Foundation was represented by its President Mr. Christos Zerefos with a speech on “The Issue of the Adaptation of the Peloponnese Region to the Climate Crisis”.
From the speech of the President of the MKF, Professor Ch. Zerefos.
- On July 6, 2024 an international day conference took place at the amphitheater of the Agricultural University of Athens on the topic of: “Sustainability of Beekeeping in the Mediterranean Basin”.It was organized by the Department of Beekeeping – Institute of Animal Husbandry Science – ELGO “DIMITRA” in collaboration with Terra Spatium SA, within the framework of the PRIMA European program and by the Agricultural University of Athens.The MKF was represented by the Secretary General of the Foundation, Mrs. Polyxeni Nicolopoulou – Stamati as a guest speaker on the topic of: “Save the bees. Save the farmers. Save our lives”.
- On 15/9/2024, the event titled “Play, Learn, Adapt” and the 1st Project Forum “Climate Change and Fake News”, which was organized in the context of LIFE-IP AdaptInGR, took place at the Athens Technopolis in GaziThe MKF actively participated in organizing the event and it was represented by the Secretary General of the Foundation, Professor Polyxeni Nicolopoulou-Stamati. The event, as well as the discussion on “Climate Change and Fake News” was very successful and it was attended by more than 550 visitors, 280 of whom were children.
The representative and Secretary-General of the MKI Board, Professor Polyxeni Nicolopoulou-Stamati, in front of the event poster.
- Ioannis Xanthakis (1904-1994).
A pioneer of the science of Astronomy
The book titled “Ioannis Xanthakis (1904-1994). A Pioneer of the Science of Astronomy” was published by the Mariolopoulos-Kananginis Foundation and Papazisis Publishing House under the supervision of Professor Ms. Georgia Xanthaki-Karamanou and authored by Mr. D. Panagiotopoulos.
Born in Gytheio in 1904, Ioannis Xanthakis graduated with honors from the Mathematics Department of the University of Athens. He also received his doctorate with honors at the age of 26 under the supervision of the eminent mathematician G. Remoundos. Appreciating his abilities and personality, the great astronomer Dimitrios Aeginitis initially appointed him Assistant and then Curator at the Laboratory of Astronomy and Meteorology of the University of Athens. He did postdoctoral research at the Observatory of Strasbourg on a government scholarship. In 1939, he was elected Professor at the Chair of Astronomy at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, where he founded the Laboratory of Astronomy and equipped it with its first telescope. During the enemy Occupation, he performed significant social and national work as head of the committees for students’ health care and boosting of their national morale. He was Dean of the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics and a member of the Senate of the University of Thessaloniki. At the same time, he decisively contributed to the organization of the AHEPA Hospital and the Public Maternity Hospital of Thessaloniki as President of the respective Boards of Directors. In 1955, he was elected by a large majority as a Regular Member of the Academy of Athens, serving as its President (1964) and a member of the Senate for three decades, until his passing (1994). At the Academy, he founded the Research Center for Astronomy and Applied Mathematics (1959), which carried out important research work of an international scope in his day and it continues to demonstrate equally remarkable activity today. I. Xanthakis served as Minister of Agriculture in the interim Governments of S. Mavromichalis (1963) and I. Paraskevopoulos (1964).Ioannis Xanthakis carried out pioneering research work on the relationships between solar and terrestrial phenomena, which was internationally acclaimed. A dedicatory volume was published in his honor by the international Reidel Publishing Company, to which 50 eminent scientists from 15 countries contributed articles. He is rightfully considered a pioneer in the science of Astronomy. He created a school and a tradition. By showing particular sensitivity to young scientists, he left many students and collaborators who continue his work today. Endowed with courage, integrity of character, a spirit of justice, simplicity and directness, he remains immortal in the memory of those who met or worked with him. This biography illustrates his meaningful contribution to science and society even to those who did not know him.
The book cover : Ioannis Xanthakis (1904-1994). A pioneer of the science of Astronomy.
- On October 3-4, dedicated to the memory of Professor Ioannis Ziomas, the conference titled “Air Quality in Eastern Mediterranean” was held, which investigated air quality processes in the Eastern Mediterranean, a subject which was also the focus of his research work. The conference was co-organized by the Laboratory of Atmospheric Physics, Department of Physics at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and the Mariolopoulos-Kananginis Foundation for Environmental Sciences and the European LIFE SIRIUS project.One of the most important achievements of Professor Ioannis Ziomas’ career was the coordination of the European Mediterranean Campaign of Photochemical Tracers -Transport and Chemical Evolution project (MEDCAPHOT-TRACE). The purpose of MEDCAPHOT-TRACE was to study the chemical and meteorological evolution of ozone and related trace gases, formed by various synoptic and local meteorological conditions (sea/offshore breeze circulation, local winds, inversions, etc.), in one of the largest urban settlements in the Mediterranean region. A significant achievement of MEDCAPHOT-TRACE was the experimental campaign carried out in the wider Athens area in the summer of 1994 with the participation of 16 European and Greek scientific groups. The results of MEDCAPHOT-TRACE were a breakthrough in the understanding of the processes affecting the air pollution of the large urban centers of the Mediterranean.In the “Air Quality in Eastern Mediterranean” conference, which took place on October 3 and 4, 2024 in the Amphitheater of the Central Library of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 22 speakers from Greece, Europe and the United States of America participated, while it was attended by approximately 80 scientists.The presentations and discussions held during the conference focused on issues concerning air quality in the Eastern Mediterranean, with an emphasis on Greece. The region is at a crossroads of air pollution and receives pollutant loads and other effects from Europe, Africa and Asia. Added to these are emissions from local sources of pollution, which are significant and lead to high levels of air pollution, particularly suspended particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide and ozone. It is worth mentioning that Greece was condemned by the European Court of Justice in 2023, due to systematic violations in Athens and Thessaloniki of the limit values set by the European Union on ambient air quality. The most important impact of high air pollution levels is the increase in premature mortality rate. The synergy of high temperatures and high levels of air pollution leads to a further increase in the mortality risk.During the session dedicated to Professor Ioannis Ziomas, the floor was taken by colleagues and friends, who shared their memories with the audience, while the main speaker was Professor Christos Zerefos, Secretary General of the Academy of Athens and President of MLF.Finally, during the conference, the prize for the best presentation by a young researcher was jointly awarded to Mrs. Sofia Papadogiannaki, Ph.D. student, and to Mr. Dimitris Karagiozidis, Ph.D. of the Department of Physics at the AUTh.A few words about Ioannis ZiomasIoannis Ziomas was born in Athens in 1956. He graduated from the Physics Department of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (1980) and he earned a doctorate degree (Ph.D.) in Environmental Physics from the same University (1984). Until 2002, he served as a Lecturer, Assistant and Associate Professor in the Physics Department of AUTH, while later he was Professor and Dean of the School of Chemical Engineering and Director of the Laboratory of Process Analysis and Design of the National Technical University of Athens.The main subject of his scientific and research work was the study of the atmospheric environment and the design of methodologies for the adoption and implementation of policies and measures for its protection.
Ioannis Ziomas was Head (scientific officer) of the team that operated the National System for the Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions/Absorptions of Greece, while he was coordinator-representative of Greece in various European and international committees on environmental issues, such as, the national Census inspections, the 5th National Report by UNFCCC experts, the Compliance Committee of the Kyoto Protocol. He was the President of the Board of Directors of the National Centre for the Environment and Sustainable Development (NCSD-EKPAA), a member of the National Council for Research and Technology and a member of many working groups of the European Union on environmental issues.
Ioannis Ziomas was an amicable and eloquent person, with faith in the procedures while managing to create a consensual climate. His contribution to education was significant, while his internationally acknowledged contribution to science as well as his personality and morals were considerably conducive to the development of the educational and research activities of the Universities he served as well as to the development of his science.
A snapshot from the speech by the President of MKI and Secretary-General of the Academy of Athens, Mr. Ch. Zerefos, in memory of the late I. Ziomas.
- On September 23, 2024 the MKF and the Atmospheric Circulation Reconstructions over the Earth (ACRE) co-organized an international Conference titled “International Initiative on Atmospheric Circulation Reconstructions over the Earth”, which took place in Mon Repos, Corfu between September 23 and 27.The MKF was represented by MKF President and Secretary General of the Academy of Athens, Prof. Christos Zerefos and the member of the Board of Directors of the MKF, former Rector Prof. Demosthenes Asimakopoulos. The conference focused on discussions on the rescue, restoration and digitization of historical meteorological data from historical sources as well as on the use of this material to understand long-term droughts and floods.The guests were introduced by Professor Rob Allan, Head of the International ACRE Institute – Atmospheric Circulation Reconstructions over the Earth and the Professor at the National Technical University of Athens, Mr. G. Zoupanos.
General view during the conference.
- On September 23, 2024 during the opening ceremony of the “International Atmospheric Circulation Reconstructions over the Earth (ACRE) Drought and Flood Conference”, which was co-organized by ACRE and MKF in Mon Repos, Corfu, the “WMO Professor Mariolopoulos Trust Fund Award 2024” was awarded by Professor Richard Cornes, consultant of WMO, the President of the MKF and Secretary General of the Academy of Athens, Prof. Christos Zerefos and the member of the Board of Directors of the MKF, former Rector Prof. Demosthenes Asimakopoulos. The prize was jointly awarded to the following scientists:
- Sahil Sharma: for his work titled: “Future Indian Ocean warming patterns” by Sahil Sharma, Kyung-Ja Ha, Ryohei Yamaguchi, Keith B. Rodgers, Axel Timmermann and Eui-Seok Chung, published in Nature Communications, (2023), and
- Julia Mindlin: for her work titled: “Plausible Drying and Wetting Scenarios for Summer in Southeastern South America” by Julia Mindlin, Carolina S. Vera, Theodore G. Shepherd and Marisol Osman, published in American Meteorological Society, (2023).
This prize is awarded biennially to a young scientist conjointly with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) for an outstanding study of original research in the atmospheric sciences, published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal within the last two years.
Video of the Award Ceremony: https://youtu.be/VjXVtAjl-j0
Snapshot from the award ceremony. Distinguished form the left are Professor Richard Cornes of the WMO, the member of the MKF Board of Directors and former Rector, Mr. D. Asimakopoulos, the award winner Dr. Julia Mindlin and the President of the MKF and Secretary General of the Academy of Athens, Mr.Ch. Zerefos.