Together for Vistula

Poland is a land of two large river basins – the Vistula and Oder, occupying more than 90 percent. entire territory. The topic of rivers in our country attracts media attention only when there is a disaster with dramatic consequences. In the so-called meantime, NGOs are doubling and tripling in an attempt to get the public interested in protecting aquatic ecosystems. So why do we continue to overlook this problem? Why is it that when the world looks toward water, we stubbornly look away? In this regard, we are truly unique.

The vast majority of us are well aware of the duties of local governments to citizens and expect them to respond to situations such as lack of water on tap. And rightly so – this is their statutory duty. However, as the saying goes, from empty and Solomon does not pour, and in the case of water this should be taken literally. The logic is simple – if the water in a river or well (understood as an intake) is of poor quality or running out, a phone call to the mayor is not enough. It is worth taking a moment to reflect on the reasons why such situations occur. Therefore, any social action that will make us aware of these simple relationships and teach us about the need to conserve resources will find a place in our newspaper.

Why Vistula?

For centuries, the Vistula River has served diverse functions that have significantly influenced the identity and urban development of Poland as a whole. Its basin naturally shapes the landscape of more than half of our country’s territory. I recently wrote about the importance of preserving its natural course in Water Matters. This time, I encourage you to read the following material provided by the Business for Climate Foundation and join a broad and substantive discussion about the need to protect this beautiful, in places still wild river.

Business for Climate Foundation – initiator of the campaign

The Business for Climate Foundation has launched a petition addressed to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland Donald Tusk under the slogan Let’s protect our Vistula River. Let’s give it the rights to defend itself! This is part of the nationwide project Together for the Vistula, which aims to protect the river from further degradation.

The Together for the Vistula project is a comprehensive initiative that responds to growing threats to the river’s ecosystem, such as pollution and climate change. The project includes debates, workshops and educational campaigns to raise environmental awareness among residents and local authorities.

As part of the Together for the Vistula campaign, a number of activities are planned, such as cleaning the river banks, planting trees and monitoring water quality. The project aims not only to improve the Vistula River, but also to build sustainable environmental habits among the community. The initiative seeks to create a better and more sustainable environment for future generations through collective action, explains Sylwia Molewska, president of the Business for Climate Foundation.

Granting legal personality to Vistula

We call for the Vistula River to be given legal personality to guarantee its effective protection and sustainable management,” the petition reads. This is one of the key demands of the campaign. Giving Wisla legal personality means recognizing it as a legal entity with its own rights and obligations. The river could be represented by a special management unit that would look after its interests and make decisions on its behalf.

Such a step is necessary to effectively protect the Vistula from degradation and pollution. The Vistula is home to many species of plants and animals, as well as an essential resource for agriculture and industry and a source of drinking water. Its health has a direct impact on the quality of life of the residents of the regions through which it flows.

Sports challenge and educational meetings

Behind the Together for Vistula campaign is also an extraordinary sports challenge. For the first time, a dragon boat rafting trip from Krakow all the way to Gdansk was organized. More than 20 athletes took part in the challenge, which was designed to draw public attention to the need to take care of the quality of Polish rivers and protect their biodiversity. You will swim more than 1 thousand. km of the queen of Polish rivers posed a huge challenge. Especially since the dragon boat crew had only eight days to do it.

But before the competitors got on the boat, they had a reverse triathlon to complete, from the source of the Vistula River to Krakow. Participants began their adventure in Barania Góra on June 23, and the finale of the campaign took place in Gdansk on Olowianka Island on June 30. It was not only a sporting challenge, but also an opportunity to organize educational events for the communities along the rafting route. An open screening of Ewa Ewart’s film is scheduled in Warsaw and Gdansk To the last drop and a debate with experts.

Let’s sign the petition

The Business for Climate Foundation invites everyone who cares about the fate of the environment to sign the petition. Through the campaign Together for the Vistula, they want to draw attention to the urgent need to take effective measures to reduce pollutant discharges into rivers. We are preparing a bill to grant legal personality to Wisla, which, together with a petition that we will encourage people to sign during the campaign, we will submit to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland,” announces Sylwia Molewska.

Together for the Vistula is not only a project to protect one river, but also a symbol of the larger fight for the health of our ecosystem. By working together, we can create a sustainable environment for future generations while protecting our natural heritage. The Vistula, as the heart of Poland, deserves our attention and care, and we, as a society, have a duty to take care of its future.

Source: based on a press release from the Business for Climate Foundation

Photo. main: Olga Długokęcka