A Lifeline for a Thirsty Land
Discover how one man is fighting water scarcity with ingenuity and sustainable design. By combining traditional techniques with modern innovation, he's creating a water-positive ecosystem that can bring relief to drought-stricken regions.
Water scarcity represents one of the world's most pressing challenges today, and few places feel its impact more acutely than the Cycladic islands. On the island of Paros where water consumption is increasing as rainfall decreases, Kerry Forides is pioneering solutions that reflect his passion. By integrating traditional techniques with modern innovations, he is transforming his land into a role model for sustainability, creating a water-positive ecosystem that could serve as a blueprint for other drought-stricken regions around the world.
The Cycladic islands are renowned for their stunning scenery: whitewashed villages, pale-blue seas and rolling golden hills. But beneath the postcard-perfect scenery lies a rapidly looming crisis. Water scarcity is becoming a significant challenge for today’s residents, who have overlooked the wise practices of their ancestors, as hotter summers and increasingly erratic rainfall patterns intensify. It is an escalating crisis in the fragile Mediterranean climate, particularly in the Cycladic islands. Concreting, uncontrolled swimming pools, gardens with water-loving plants, excessive tourism, and agricultural practices with unregulated watering are depleting the island’s aquifer, pushing it to a critically low level. On Paros, one man has taken a proactive stance against this growing threat and is working on his own solution, rooted in nature, inventiveness and imagination.
Kerry Forides, a Greek-Australian also known as Kosta, who calls Paros home, is pioneering sustainable solutions to reverse this trend. Drawing inspiration from Australian drought management techniques, he has implemented water-harvesting methods that not only sustain his land but actively replenish the island’s aquifers. His success is measurable — his well now provides enough water to meet his annual needs, making his property water-secure. In this short documentary profile, *Creating an Eco-Cycle by Design*, Kerry outlines his passion for a sustainable future—a vision of resilience, creativity and hope for the Cyclades and beyond.
Turning Challenges Into Opportunities
Forides' journey began with a simple yet profound insight: Paros' rocky terrain and arid climate pose unique challenges, but they also offer opportunities for innovation. Inspired by his experiences in Australia - a country no stranger to drought - he began implementing strategies to make his land self-sufficient and "water positive". One of his key techniques is the use of swales, water-harvesting ditches that follow the natural contours of the land. These ditches slow and capture the run-off from heavy rains, allowing the water to soak into the ground instead of being lost to the sea.
With this foundation in place, Kerry is expanding his efforts to establishing small forests of fast-growing support tree species to accelerate soil regeneration, provide food, firewood, and building materials. His approach integrates swales, gabion walls, berms, and other water-harvesting structures to capture rainwater. The result? Recharged aquifers and healthier soil, both critical for the island’s ecosystem.
Another notable feature is Kerry's use of Hügelkultur, or “mound culture,” a centuries-old technique that involves creating raised garden beds filled with organic material. These beds act as sponges, retaining moisture and enriching the soil. Even during extreme heatwaves - a common occurrence on Paros - his crops thrive thanks to these innovative methods.
A Blueprint for Resilience
Beyond the engineering aspects, Kerry's approach embodies his profound respect for natural cycles. His worm farms transform kitchen waste into nutrient-rich compost and 'worm tea', a powerful liquid fertiliser that revitalises his gardens. This closed-loop system, which for now includes composting and worm-based recycling, ensures that every resource is maximised, minimising waste and enriching the land.
Kerry's approach also highlights the importance of rethinking traditional narratives about certain plant species. Interconnected elements form what he calls an 'eco-cycle', a harmonious blend of human inventiveness and the wisdom of nature. Beyond agriculture, he applies his expertise to sustainable construction, designing homes that work in harmony with the environment and promote self-sufficiency.
A Call to Action
The lessons of Creating an Eco-Cycle by Design extend far beyond the island of Paros. As water scarcity becomes an increasingly global issue, Kerry offers a hopeful blueprint for sustainable living in even the harshest of conditions.
His techniques are not only practical but also replicable, providing a roadmap for communities around the world to build resilience in the face of climate change. "It's not just about sustainability", Kerry emphasises. "It's about giving back more than you take and inspiring others to do the same."
Whether you're an island resident, an environmentally conscious individual or simply curious about solutions to the challenges facing our planet, Kerry's advice may inspire you.
Watch and listen to him as he offers a replicable model for sustainable living. Kerry’s approach proves that with ingenuity and respect for nature, water scarcity can be tackled — not just on Paros, but anywhere facing similar challenges. Witness how he is creating a greener, water-secure future, one drop at a time.
Explore More Insights about Topics that we touched
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Kostas Creating Sustainability
Visit Kerry's Facebook Group -
Hügelkultur (Mound Culture)
Wikipedia article about Hügelkultur -
Video: Confronting Water Waste on Paros
A video by Digitalparos highlights the importance of returning to sustainable practices. -
Tourism’s Next Battlefront: Water
NY Times Article about water shortage in Greece