Athens Beachgoers Shocked and Saddened by Greenpeace Sand Sculpture

In a striking visual protest against environmental destruction, Greenpeace unveiled a powerful sand sculpture on one of Athen’s most crowded beaches, Artemida last week. The installation, part of the campaign “We Destroy the Climate to Fix the Climate,” aims to raise awareness about the severe impact of human activity on the environment.

The sculpture, crafted by renowned artist Manolis Harkoutsis, depicts a life-size dolphin washed ashore, suffocated by plastic waste. Surrounding the dolphin is a disturbing sea of plastic debris, with a plastic bag protruding from its half-open mouth—a grim representation of the threat faced by countless marine animals.

This summer, as record-breaking temperatures push people to the beaches for relief, this artwork served as a jarring reminder of the ongoing environmental crisis. Visitors to the beach, expecting a typical day by the sea, were instead confronted with the harsh reality of what our planet might increasingly endure if current behaviours persist.

A wooden sign next to the sculpture informed the public about the disturbing reality it portrayed. A QR code on the sign directed people to further information and invited them to support Greenpeace’s ongoing efforts to combat climate change and environmental degradation.

Manolis Harkoutsis, who has spent 25 years creating art focused on the relationship between humans and nature, brought this particular vision to life. His work, in collaboration with Greenpeace, serves as a stark warning about the extent of the environmental crisis we are currently living through.

This initiative by Greenpeace is designed not just to inform but to unsettle—intentionally disrupting the idyllic beach scene to force onlookers to confront the uncomfortable truths about the climate emergency and the urgent need for action.