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Description
Extreme weather events such as droughts, floods and hurricanes threaten the health, lives and functioning of local communities. Scientists are in no doubt that climate change cannot be stopped and we as communities must learn to adapt to it. According to the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management’s data, the biggest problems are water scarcity and loss of biodiversity. These phenomena occur intensively in the region of Lower Silesia. They have a direct impact on valuable habitats and species, as well as on water resources and crops in rural areas. Flooding due to heavy rainfall, which occurs in the south of the region, is also a major threat. The answer to these problems is the development of green-blue infrastructure (green areas, tree plantings, protected areas, open landscapes, watercourses, ponds, etc.) that reduces vulnerability to climate change. Within the project we will carry out a Green School for Climate Leaders – a 3-day training course for leaders of local organisations operating in rural municipalities in Lower Silesia, preparing them to implement green-blue initiatives. We will implement 8 green-blue initiatives, which will increase engagement in activities for the local community. Participants will develop recommendations for adaptation to climate change, which will be included in the strategic documents of the municipalities. We will carry out webinars and conferences to raise awareness on climate change adaptation and green-blue infrastructure for participants of the project and other people interested in its topic.
Summary of project results
Climate change is a real problem that affects us all. Both scientific reports and extreme weather phenomena, i.e. long-term droughts, heatwaves, hurricane winds, torrential rains, which we observe every day, remind us that the state of the environment directly affects our lives. Green and blue infrastructure has many functions - from regulating air temperature, storing and purifying rainwater, absorbing pollutants and carbon dioxide, to creating a livable space, supporting biodiversity, strengthening resistance to climate change, and also helping to prevent it. The direction and pace of implementation of changes at the local level should be the subject of public discussion and the result of a transparent decision-making process undertaken by local governments, with the participation of residents, and the methods of implementing public policies should be carried out with respect for the principles of democracy. Our project was intended to support the processes described above, identify the effects of climate change and actions that can be taken by local communities in cooperation with local governments. The project, implemented for 23 months, increased the organization''s civic activity in the field of climate action, increased the level of ecological awareness and the activity and involvement of local communities in specific actions to mitigate the effects of climate change, helped build the capacity of informal organizations/groups and their influence on local climate policies in smaller communes.
The project participants were 18 local leaders from 8 informal groups and organizations from Lower Silesia, who, after training, together with 154 residents, planned and implemented 8 model green and blue initiatives. Residents and leaders took active action for the common good, integrated, established bonds and cooperated with the local government. 8 adaptive plantings supporting biodiversity were created, and there was a significant change in the space and surroundings of the residents.
There were 8 debates to raise residents'' knowledge about the effects of climate change and the possibilities of taking preventive and adaptive actions, in which a total of 201 people took part. Participants discussed the problem of climate change, its effects on their towns and themselves, and the possibilities of taking local adaptation actions.
8 recommendations regarding adaptation to climate change in the communes where the activities were implemented were developed and submitted to commune offices. 8 workshops were held for officials, attended by 59 people, employees of local governments and municipal entities, which increased knowledge about the effects of climate change, green and blue infrastructure, as well as the possibilities of introducing recommended solutions into local plans, policies and investments.
Extensive information and educational activities were carried out via social media, the website and the press. The publication "Green and blue infrastructure. A guide to proven solutions for local communities and local governments. In our opinion, the goal we assumed, i.e. raising awareness of the effects of climate change and the impact on the life and functioning of towns and local communities and initiating a social discussion on the possibilities of taking initiatives by residents, has been achieved, and green and blue infrastructure is increasingly appreciated by residents as an element of the local ecosystem.
During the Green School, 18 leaders improved their competences in the field of adaptation to climate change and the possibility of taking action in this area, engaging residents in local activities and informing about the need to act in the field of adaptation to climate change, influencing local climate policies, establishing cooperation with local governments, taking intervention actions.
- 201 residents taking part in 8 climate debates improved their knowledge of climate change. The debate participants emphasized during the discussion that their knowledge of climate change was insufficient, and participation in the meeting made them realize how drastically the climate is changing and how much it affects the ecosystem. They became convinced that local actions, on a small scale, had an impact on climate change and what the consequences of not taking such actions could be.
- 154 people were involved in the implementation of 8 model green and blue initiatives, participation in planning and implementation allowed them to take active action for the common good, integrate, establish bonds and cooperation between residents and the local government. 8 adaptive plantings supporting biodiversity were created, and there was a significant change in the space and surroundings of the residents.
- 59 participants of 8 recommendation workshops were directly involved in shaping local climate policy, developed recommendations for municipal policies, and also improved their knowledge about the effects of climate change and the possibilities of introducing solutions into local plans, policies and investments.
Our organization has strengthened its activity in the field of climate action and cooperation with new organizations and local governments.