2018 September 29 A.Jurgelevičius, EEAG Vice-president participated in a meeting organized by Lithuanian ecology and waste association, which discussed the most relevant ecological problems in Lithuania.

At the meeting, it was emphasized that we are increasingly hearing the frightening reflections on the ecological catastrophe that will take place on our planet, about the rapidly declining natural resources that could lead to new political and military conflicts, and the growing number of hungry people in the world. And what do we do to get that way?

The answer is simple: very little or nothing. The majority of society is indifferent to ecological problems. There is no need to look at specific examples. Let’s look closer to Lithuania and try to assess the level of our citizens’ mentality and „achievements“ in the field of ecology.

We will mention some ecological problems in Lithuania discussed at the meeting.

Rubbish

“The state of the environment is one of the most important factors influencing human development and ecological safety. In Lithuania, like in other countries, the main guarantee of ecological safety is the state, working together with non-governmental institutions and society as a whole “- think A.Jurgelevičius, EEAG Vice-president.

But let’s not forget that one of the biggest environmental problems today is the indifference of our society. It seems that there are many small problems, but when these small problems are created by a large group of people in Lithuania, they become a big problem. Rubbish is thrown everywhere and there is no end to it.

Of course, it would be courageous to say that all who can do is littered in Lithuania. No, it is not. But decent people are the same minority. For comparison, I will give you one simple case.
April has traditionally been considered “clean month” in the Lithuanian countryside. Representatives of various political parties invite people to contribute to social dialogue for popularity or for other purposes. There was a special machine for collecting rubbish, bought a lot of plastic bags. Everything looks very nice and welcoming. But … Numbers tell themselves for themselves. Of the 10,000 people in the district, only 30-40 people participated in “clean month”. Most of them are elderly people or parents, and mothers with children.

The question is, where is the youth? This is our future, which will have to set an example for our children. One another appeared and disappeared wherever. Shame.

Why are young people so environmentally passive? One of the reasons may be lack of informativeness. Public opinion and market research company „TNSGallup“ made research in the 27 EU countries and showed that even six out of ten lithuanians feel too little informed about environmental issues.

Only 55 percent Lithuanians admit that environmental issues are very important to them. Meanwhile, in Cyprus, this problem affects as much as 94%. of the population, 89%. swedish and 88% greek.

The inhabitants of Lithuania considerably less than the statistical European to pay attention to nature protection. On average, 59% of waste is sorted by europeans and barely 30% by lithuanians. A quarter of our country’s population reduces electricity usage by turning off air conditioning or heating, purchasing energy-saving bulbs or household appliances, and only 29%. lithuanians save water.

The study revealed that only 14% of the Lithuanian population reduces the use of disposable items such as plastic bags or packaging (EU average 30%), just 8%. lithuanians compared to 17% europeans are buying environmentally-friendly products.

The statistics make you think seriously. Therefore, one of the main tasks of the Ministry of the Environment should be to increase informativeness through various social advertising or mass media.

“Of course, the ministry’s powers limit government spending. Therefore, our elected representatives of the nation should understand the direction in which we are moving. Back to the past, or to Europe, where environmental protection is one of the core areas of business, industry, politics and social education “- think A.Jurgelevičius, EEAG Vice-president.

Green energy

This is another painful topic for Lithuania, which was discussed at the meeting. It is precisely in talking about green energy that we will not go to politics. They are so numerous that the economic and social laws themselves are forced to go in another side.

Entrepreneurs who want to expand their activities in the field of green energy are forced to raise their hands, because the bureaucratic situation in Lithuania is at the bottom of the absurd. Diligence and inactivity make the men of power flee from green energy.

Some facts. In Lithuania without a tender it is possible to install a power plant up to 205 kw. All this would cost about 300 thousand. Euro. In addition, the power plant could be built in a month. It looks like everything is fast and inexpensive. So what’s the problem? Why is the number of wind farms growing so slow in Lithuania?

Bureaucratic laws. That’s where the biggest problem is in Lithuania. The conclusion is simple. If roads were opened and wind energy restrictions removed, then by 2018, Lithuania could produce one third of the energy needed for the country from the wind on land.

The authorities are screaming about the fact that Lithuania is developing an open, liberalized market, but it actually opens all roads to monopolists. Parliament adopts absurd laws that force young entrepreneurs to lay their hands down and admit that the desire to create something and invest in future energy fields is not enough. You still need to learn to find some sort of supernatural power in order to outsmart the bureaucratic apparatus.

“Of course, what does Green Energy need for its officials? Do they go into warning about global warming? Do they understand that renewable energy sources such as wind, sun, water, are the basis of the future energy? I’ll tell you frankly. I’m afraid. A small part who wants to change something is simply cut off in bureaucracy “- think A.Jurgelevičius, EEAG Vice-president.