As with every major tragedy, the Greeks have to go one step further - take it beyond any previous point on record, postpone any action until the enemies are at the gates of the city.

For years, the alarms have been ringing that the environment is under severe danger due to accumulated natural and artificial damage. The chain of events is known: hot and dry climate, with little precipitation in the summer creates the perfect situation for fires to consume vegetation, forests and cultured land. Come September, the first rainfall - so much needed but so scarce in the summertime - sweeps away the burnt land that has few trees to retain the soil in place with their dead roots.

This winter the Greeks should expect a record amount of flooding, that will again become an emergency situation.

• The time is now to start planning for these supportive sacks of sand, the bulldozers and the trucks to carry them.
• The time is now to start evacuating the low-laying areas that are known to be prone to heavy overflowing of rivers.
• The time is now to educate the personnel responsible for these functions - there will be no time once the heavens open for their annual rendezvous with mother nature.

Once more, preparation is the key; just like the story of the ant and the cricket by Aesop, those that work hard in the middle of the summer preparing themselves for the hardships of winter shall be able to rest and reap the fruit of their hard work.