Grassroots mobilisations against waste disposal sites in Greece
- 11 November 2009
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Informa UK Limited in Environmental Politics
- Vol. 18 (6), 939-959
- https://doi.org/10.1080/09644010903345702
Abstract
The government of Greece has gained notoriety for its failure to implement EU environmental directives in general, and is criticised specifically for its lack of an effective plan for the safe disposal of waste. Local mobilisations against a series of planned ‘Sanitary Waste Disposal Sites’ (HETAs) in three municipalities of Attica are examined. Should such protests be classified as NIMBY (not in my backyard)? Or do they present broader claims of justice and equity? Qualitative analysis of the protesters' on-line campaign material reveals that while these mobilisations do demonstrate some NIMBY characteristics, such campaigns should rather be perceived as ad hoc mobilisations reflective of tensions of late modernity. The public's mistrust of science and concerns about democratic deficit and accountability, as well as different perceptions of risk, are prominent.Keywords
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