Eastern European Association of the Greens (EEAG) – is the non-profit organization created in 2016 by Ukrainian and Lithuanian representatives of the greens. The Association aims to involve more Eastern European members interested in environmental protection and expand its influence throughout Eastern European region and wider if necessary.
Our goals and aims are common for every “green” organization. We all aims to preserve our Planet save and healthy, through diminishing harmful consequences of human influence and life-sustaining activity. We believe that only together we are able to change our future.
The Eastern Europe region includes the following countries: Belarus, Bulgaria, Hungary, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Slovakia. The structure of these countries, their economic development etc. are different. Some of them are the members of the EU, and other not. That is why countries of Eastern Europe are not sufficiently represented in joint research programs of EU, in international discussions on climate change and in regional initiatives.
The region of Eastern Europe has its own peculiarities associated with a certain economic structure, the pace of development, and common past, but at the same time it is an integral part of the whole Europe. If we are talking about environmental problems, then we can say for sure that they are common for the whole world. It is possible to single out the main problematic issues pertaining to the environment that affect every resident of Eastern Europe:
- Climate change
- Air, water and soil pollution
- Technogenic accidents and diversification of energy sources
- Depletion of biological diversity
Many studies of the European Environment Agency (EEA) and not only, say that it is Eastern European regions that will suffer more from global warming than the rest of Europe. Studies prove that the temperature in Eastern Europe will rise by an average of 2-3 ° C. And this increase already has a noticeable effect on the environment, the vital activity of flora, fauna and human health. These changes for human health are associated with extreme weather events, changes in the distribution of climate-sensitive diseases and changes in environmental and social conditions.
Ecosystems and protected areas in Eastern Europe are in danger because of climate change and other stress factors. The consequences of climate change pose a threat to biodiversity on land and in large and small water objects – lakes, rivers and seas. Many species of animals and plants experience changes in their life cycles and migrate to the north and to the heights, while various invasive species have established or expanded their range of habitats and influences on the ecosystem. These changes affect various ecosystem and economic sectors, such as agriculture, forestry and fisheries.
Eastern Europe is also affected by the effects of climate change occurring outside Europe, due to the globalization of all processes: trade, infrastructure, geopolitical threats and threats to security and migration.
Industrial deforestation in Eastern Europe has reached a catastrophic scale and, unfortunately, not all countries have banned this activity. Dozens of kilometers of forests in Ukraine, Russia, Latvia and Belarus are devastated. In consequence of such actions, a great harm is inflicted on the flora and fauna – some species die out completely, the amount of carbon dioxide begins to increase in the atmosphere, soil erosion happens that leads to the formation of deserts. Places with a high level of groundwater become bogging.
In order to take climate change seriously it is necessary to promote more efficient use of energy, and to use renewable energy sources – wind and sun, introduce an environmentally friendly lifestyle. But that will not be enough to slow down the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and to meet the needs of modern industrial civilization, as well as the aspirations of developing countries. Nuclear energy needs to be developed quickly, so that it can replace coal, oil and gas in developed countries, and ultimately in developing countries. One gram of uranium produces as much energy as a ton of coal or oil – this is the famous “factor of a million.” Accordingly, the amount of nuclear waste is almost a million times less than the amount of waste generated by the use of fossil fuels whose reserves are limited. Thus, correctly designed, qualitatively constructed and properly operated nuclear power facilities will allow receiving not only clean, but also safe, reliable, durable and competitive energy. It is the question of human responsibility and competence.
We are open for cooperation and we will talk about the most disturbing environmental problems of Eastern Europe countries that are mostly common for the entire world, and would like you to join the discussion.
Should you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
E-mail: office@eea-greens.org
Visit our website http://eea-greens.org/
Eastern European Association of the Greens analyzed the most disturbing environmental problems of Eastern Europe and want to share the results.