More information
Description
According to the overwhelming body of research the climate change is one of the leading challenges of the modern era. On the one hand, we witness the calamities across the globe: the floods, wildfires, and hurricanes. One the other hand, we are hearing about armed conflicts around access to fresh water, droughts, or dwindling natural resources. Climate change and the deterioration of the natural environment are a source of violations of basic human rights. According to the data from Eurostat, Poland ranks fourth from the bottom when it comes to fresh water supplies per citizen in Europe. In the context of fresh water crisis, being one of the many consequences of the changing climate, it will continue to have an increasing impact on the environment and agriculture. Simultaneously, the coal extraction remains a backbone of the Polish economy. The energy sector based on coal is one of the top sources of our greenhouse gas emissions and is responsible for the use of 70% of the fresh water in Poland. And yet, the issue is barely discussed. We would like to address these issues by promoting volunteering focused around climate change and local communities. We would like to conduct three-day workshops for a minimum of 14 volunteers, who in turn will organize a series of international volunteering camps. There will be a minimum of 10 camps, during which participants will be supporting selected organizations and institutions from across Poland, working in the field of environmental protection and/or local development. Participants will take part in workshops on the climate change and its consequences. We will promote the results of our work across different media platforms. Our partner is a group of informal climate activists – Planetarians – that will support our educational efforts and will facilitate access to other informal groups across the country.
Summary of project results
According to the findings of scientific research, climate change is one of the greatest current global challenges. On the one hand, we observe worldwide catastrophes such as floods, wildfires, and hurricanes, and on the other hand, we receive reports of armed conflicts related to the lack of access to water, prolonged droughts, or limited resources. Climate change and environmental destruction are sources of the violation of fundamental human rights. According to Eurostat data, Poland ranks fourth from the bottom in Europe in terms of freshwater resources per capita.In the context of the water crisis, which is one of the many consequences of climate change, this issue will have an increasingly negative impact on nature and agriculture. At the same time, coal still forms the basis of the Polish economy. Energy production based on coal mining is one of the main causes of greenhouse gas emissions and accounts for 70% of water consumption in Poland. However, this topic is not sufficiently addressed in our country.We responded to these issues by promoting climate and local community volunteering. We conducted training for volunteers who led international volunteer camps attended by volunteers from countries including Armenia, Georgia, Italy, Ukraine, Hungary, and Mexico. We organized 10 camps during which participants supported selected organizations and institutions in Poland that work for the local community and/or environmental protection. Camp participants and organization staff took part in workshops on climate change and its consequences. We disseminated the results of our actions through the media.The project was partnered with an informal group of climate activists known as "Planetarians," who provided substantive support in the preparation and implementation of the project''s training component and facilitated outreach to other informal activist groups in Poland.From the evaluation surveys, we know that the participants of the training and workshops changed their attitudes and improved their competencies in the areas of environmental protection, social solidarity, and international solidarity. They also gained knowledge about climate justice and the ways to get involved.
.
.