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Description
In 2013, the Strategic Adaptation Plan was adopted by the Polish government, in response to the ever more pressing need for adaptation to the changing climate and in accord with the European strategy. It was the first step to prepare and implement modern adaptation initiatives, including in the field of water management. Unfortunately, the plan was never implemented and many of the actions by the State Water Holding “Wody Polskie” are outright contradicting the plan. The issue of climate catastrophe is urgent and important, but still, many citizens are unaware of issues surrounding water management, influence of particular economy sectors on its quality, and actions that should be taken in order to mitigate the effects of climate change in the future. We will prepare a report and helpful infographics on effective and lasting solutions mitigating the effects of extreme weather and hydrological events, such as droughts and floods, as well as impacts of mines and coal energy sector on the water resources – the quantity of water available and its quality. We will distribute the materials through the social media, other events and collaboration with NGOs. We will also engage citizens and NGOs in the nationwide consultations on updating Water Management Plans in River Basins, updating the Flooding Risk Management Plan for Oder and Vistula Rivers, as well as national and regional operation programs regulating allocations of the European Union funds after 2020. We will also prepare parliamentary interpellations on national water policy and adaption to climate change policy. Our partners are Towarzystwo na Rzecz Ziemi, which will support us with its knowledge on the impact of powerplants on the water quality in Poland and River Sisters, which will organize outdoor events near some of the rivers in question to highlight the dangers for our water resources in Poland and propagate the right approach during the ongoing climate catastrophe.
Summary of project results
One of the huge problems in the world today is the sensible management of water resources. We wanted to raise citizens'' awareness of this issue and encourage them to participate in consultations of national water policy documents and water conservation activities, but also as organizations to take advocacy action to support the introduction of systemic changes for better water resources management.
As part of the project, we prepared eight expert thematic papers on the appropriate adaptation of water management, one recommendation on changes to coal-fired power generation using surface water for cooling, and one paper summarising the monitoring of coal-fired power and thermal power plants. We consulted 21 organizations in the creation of these policy documents. We reached 315 citizens through the implementation of 4 outdoor events. We also drafted four parliamentary interpellations.
Our actions have brought an increase in social activism (mainly youth and women) in the area of water protection and appropriate climate change adaptation solutions. Paradoxically, this was helped by the environmental catastrophe on the Oder River in 2022. Thanks to this (and our actions), there was a surge in the number of ''water'' projects and grassroots riverside actions, which were not just limited to litter collection but an opportunity to speak out against state water policy. We have also seen an increase in NGO interest in water issues in government policy documents.
As an additional activity, building on the 4 publications prepared in the main project, we prepared detailed themes, graphics and videos (reels). The posts with the prepared reels and graphics were then published on the social media of the Greenmind Foundation of the Save the Rivers Coalition.
Some of the outreach activities were aimed directly at politicians. In mid-February 2024, taking advantage of the approaching 100 days of government, we reminded politicians of the pre- and post-election promises contained in the coalition agreement. We also tried to reach out to them with ‘water’ content ahead of both the first and second rounds of local elections. In this communication, we used videos and graphics that were ready at the time.