In more than 150 countries around the world, April 22nd is celebrated as Earth Day. The goal of the Earth Day is to remind people around the world in what state is the nature of planet Earth on which they live. Earth Day is opportunity to present the problems of ecosystems, pollution in populated places. Earth Day is chance to improve the quality of the environment. Is ecological crisis that serious? Nowadays, man has the ability to change the environment. Pollution which is produced in one place it is transmitted very fast on a bigger area and then it becomes a general problem.
On the territory of municipality of Knjazevac is almost half of the area of the nature park “Stara planina”, which is exposed to the pressure of expansion of tourism. Municipality Knjazevac, now, with the rapid urbanization and development of tourism in this area must set preservation of the environment as a priority. From the municipality’s budget, every year funds are singled out for co-funding projects in the area of protection and development of the environment. The call is open for cities and citizen’s communities, educational institutions and citizen’s associations. Some of the funded projects are “Eco-fair and Eco tree”, “Plug for handicap” “Solar chargers”, “More knowledge – Less waste”.
“Eco-fair and Eco tree” was a project of Tourism organization of Knjazevac. In this action, participants were students from primary schools as well as high school, as well as children from the pre-school “Bajka”. The action was held under the sponsorship of the Fund for protection of the environment. Children from primary schools and preschool decorated trees and put on costumes of different kinds of fruits and vegetables. High school students held public lecture on healthy food. Both groups were promoting the program “Think globally, act locally”.
“Plug for handicap”
In Knjazevac, International day of people with disabilities was marked with the action of collecting plastic plugs, as part of a project “Plug for handicap”. Money from the recycled plugs from plastic bottles are used for purchase of wheelchairs and orthopedic help for children and youth, whom, because of their disability and inability to get a wheelchair, are tied to a life at home. All people from Knjazevac participated on a voluntary basis in this very successful action. Young volunteers from high schools did most of the work by putting boxes and booths where people could drop off plastic plugs.
“Solar chargers”
As part of an ecological project “Solar chargers”, which was realized with the help of local government, Educational center Knjazevac, gave 4 solar chargers to Knjazevac’s schools to use. Chargers were made out of recycled materials and their purpose is to charge cell phone batteries and batteries of other portable devices. Universal solar chargers were set up in Knjazevac’s Technical school and primary schools “D.T. Kaplar” and “Dubrava”. With these devices Education center wants to promote ecology and using of clean and renewable sources of energy.
“More knowledge- Less waste”
Students of Technical school of Knjazevac and children from the preschool institution “Bajka” with the help of Center for tenable future “Green zone” realized the project “More knowledge – Less waste” with the financial help from the municipality. The goal was to educate students and children on the topics of recycling and protection of the environment. Children in preschools drew and made toys as well as some other objects out of recycling material. The exhibition took place in Technical school. For preschoolers the exhibition was a chance to learn what to do with waste and how to protect the environment in a fun way.
“World Water Day” – Experiments in Knjazevacka gimnazija
Eco club of Knjazevacka gimnazija for the World Water Day on March 22nd examined the quality as well as physical, chemical and biological parameters of water from the river Timok going through Knjazevac.
The most interesting was the experiment of examining the clarity of water in the center of town. High schoolers went back in time not only with stories but also with the way of examining certain parameters. They checked clarity of water by using one of the oldest techniques. They used a white plate with a hole in the middle that was slowly lowered in the water. The students attracted a lot of attention from other citizens in Knjazevac with this experiment.
Dangerous materials do not know boundaries. Effects of pollution will stay a problem for future generations. Toxic chemical and radioactive waste won’t dissolve not even in a 1000 years. We are not certain yet what effects which materials that pollute have, nor what effects will some of man’s deeds have. With the development of new technologies, as well as careless use of existing ones, we develop new risks.
Mostly NGO’s and school clubs deal with ecology and protection of the environment in our community. Consciousness of citizens is not at an admirable level, but through years, with luck, more and more people will deal with these problems. It is important to raise awareness of people and involve them in solving ecological issues.
By Milena Milosevic, Kaja Ljubic and Ivana Milosavljevic