On October 18, numerous countries mark the International Day for the Protection of Nature. The significance of this date lies in its mission to underscore the vital importance of respecting nature, conserving biodiversity, and seeking alternatives that enable humanity to progress in harmony with other species on our planet. Our environment is constantly changing, owing mostly to human activity. The issue of human impact on the environment and the critical necessity to protect nature took center stage during an ecological event planned for students of the Uzhhorod Greek Catholic Private Lyceum “TheoBand.” Olha Velychkanych, the Head of the Department of Biology and Experimental Work at the Transcarpathian Regional Center for Children and Youth Creativity “PADIUN,” as well as an IRCEF EXPERT, led this event.
As the children watched the presentation, they engaged in discussions about the consequences of human economic endeavors, such as ruthless deforestation, which causes disasters like floods and landslides, as well as pollution of water and air from industrial emissions and transportation, acid rain, and waste accumulation. As a result of these efforts, the diversity of plant and animal species has decreased. The students demonstrated an exceptional understanding of Transcarpathia’s plant and animal species, which are included in Ukraine’s Red Book. These young environmentalists worked in pairs to create proverbs advocating for environmental protection and reinforcing the ideals of responsible behavior in nature.
The event’s participants collectively realized that even seemingly slight changes to the ecosystem might result in significant environmental disasters, both now and in the future. If humanity continues to overexploit natural resources, the fate of our beautiful planet Earth is jeopardized. The moment has come to recognize that we are merely a part of nature, a component of the universe and that we must follow its laws and regulations in our daily lives in order to maintain a welcome, secure, and diverse environment. Instead of trying to govern nature, our goal should be to work alongside it and become an integral part of it.
The event was held within the framework of cooperation between the Interreligious and Civil Environmental Forum of Eastern Europe (IRCEF) headed by Olexander Bokotey) and the German Nature Conservation Union (NABU Bundesverband, NABU International), project coordinators Ivan Tymofeiev (NABU), and Nataliya Kulya (IRCEF).
Informational Service of IRCEF
