Scientists are warning of dramatic environmental changes in the Aegean islands due to unchecked tourism and construction. In a recent conference titled “Islands at Risk: In Search of Balance,” researchers documented a sharp decline in agriculture and forests alongside a rapid rise in artificial surfaces.

Between 1990 and 2018, a mind-blowing 13,851 hectares of forest were lost, with Chios, Thasos and Rhodes seeing declines of over 30%. Meanwhile, Mykonos and Syros experienced a staggering increase in built areas, of 341% and 310% respectively.

“Nothing is authentic anymore, everything has been interfered with,” said University of the Aegean Professor Kostas Theodorou, warning of the “Disneyfication” of island life.

Agricultural activity has declined by 39% since 1961, nearly disappearing in islands like Oinousses and Nisyros. Theodorou bemoaned that people buy into the island dream then pull up the drawbridge.

Legislative and regulatory delays worsen the crisis, experts said, calling for urgent reforms to preserve the islands’ identity and ecosystems.