In Belarus, ecology surfaced as a subject of the public debate after the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl. But the popularity of the Greens is not only the aftermath of Chernobyl. Belarusians take much interest in environmental protection, as they come across, ever more frequently, of such global challenges as climate change or degradation of the environment, which may directly impact their lives. More and more people are becoming aware that the quality of life does not boil down exclusively to the level of consumption.
Discussions about protection of the environment have recently become extremely popular, which has facilitated contacts between individual organizations and improved the effectiveness of their efforts. In the past, ecology was treated either in too attractive a manner, or to the contrary, a broader approach was lacking in the case of local problems. Social activity was limited to small-scale, fragmentary educational programs and focused on local problems. Virtually no representatives of the society were taking part in the decision making process.
Over the past few years, however, projects were undertaken that required participation of the public in making the decisions (mainly the SEA – Strategic Ecological Assessment, which is concerned with the analysis of the environmental impact of specific activities and is perceived as an effective tool for ensuring sustainable development, as well as Local Agendas 21, i.e. sustainable development strategies drawn up in line with the guidelines of the UN Rio de Janeiro conference of 1997).
Below is a short description of the most significant environmental topics that the Belarusian media are concerned with (from specialized websites to popular media, both national and independent):
• Climate change
• Power sector. Renewable energy sources, eco-friendly construction
• Construction of a nuclear power plant in Belarus
• Nature and quality of life (quality of water, air, safety of goods)
• Eco-friendly farming, natural, healthy food
• Waste management
• Protecting biological diversity and natural reserves
• Environmental education, education for sustainable development
• Ecological lifestyle, power efficiency, ecological consumption
• Sustainable development, Local Agendas 21, environmental initiatives and grass roots movements
• Århus Convention (“On Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters”. Belarus has been a party to the Convention since 1999)
• Protection of greens
• Protection of animals, caring for homeless animals
• Belarusian nature, relaxation in nature, eco-tourism
The complete text can be downloaded here in English and in Russian.