Description
The project objective is to include the inhabitants of Rybnik in solving the problem of very poor quality of the air. Heating boilers are the main source of pollution. The problem is not discussed with local inhabitants. We want to provide the inhabitants with information on the scale and effects of the problem, and help them to find solution. Then, we want to activate local inhabitants to influence systemic activities of the authorities to limit the problem. The main result should be greater participation of inhabitants in finding, together with the city authorities, a systemic solution to the problem of emissions. The partner of the project is Kraków Smog Alarm that will professionally support CRIS with its expertise and experience in informing and mobilising inhabitants and the authorities to activities for better quality of air. Participation of the partner should also raise interest in the project, in particular on the part of local media.
Summary of project results
"On the regular basis, Rybnik is listed among cities with the most polluted air in Poland and Europe. The problem cannot be solved without activation of local inhabitants, for the available solutions are costly and require investments from both city authorities and the inhabitants. The aim of the project was to present to the city inhabitants the scale of dangers connected with smog, and to persuade local authorities to take real action on the matter that would be adequate to the scale of the problem. As a result of the activities undertaken under the project, the City Council accepted a model programme for subsidising the city inhabitants willing to change the source of heating or perform thermo-modernisation. The information on air pollution in Rybnik reached most of the city inhabitants. The city police stared to present information on the numbers of inspections led, fines given, gathered samples, cases directed to courts of law. Under the project, a diagnosis of the awareness of Rybnik inhabitants on the problem of smog was conducted. Six watchmen for the clean air were employed who took over 1000 photos of smoking chimneys. A social campaign was organised (billboards, radio broadcasts, Internet campaign), information booklets were sent to the majority of inhabitants of single-family houses. Six meetings for inhabitants were organised, as well as a seminar summing up the project and 21 lessons in schools. In all the events over 1000 persons participated. A web page of the project was created. In the public space of the city a screen was installed showing the quality of air. The recipients of the project were inhabitants of Rybnik and city authorities, city officers, city councillors and city police. The partner of the project, the Kraków Smog Alarm, supported us with their knowledge and authority. Their representatives met the city authorities, organised a training for city councillors, consulted the project of a plan to subsidise heating modernisation performed by inhabitants. They contributed their broad expertise on the planned legal amendments, sources of financing for low emissions, the chances of success for particular solutions, technical issues connected with different heating sources etc."
Summary of bilateral results