Save the Planet From 17th to 23rd of June 2023, Fundacja Aktywni z Europy from Sosnowiec (Poland) organized the international project “$av€ the Planet”. The project was co-financed under the Erasmus+ programme. The international youth exchange in Biały Dunajec, apart from the youth from our organization, was attended by representatives of Fundacja Aktywni w Europie from Poland and Colegiul National “Mihail Sadoveanu” from Romania. Constantly rising inflation means that we face economic problems and look for various ways to reduce high expenses. On the other hand, care for our Planet, which is still being polluted, has been moved to the distant plan. The aim of the common initiative was: – expanding knowledge and raising awareness about the negative effects of pollution on the Planet (impact on the natural environment, climate, but also on us – people); – expanding and developing competencies in the field of ecology, environmental protection, and climate change; – development of ecological skills, habits, and attitudes that will allow for proper care of the natural environment while maintaining economic balance, in the context of rising inflation; – expanding knowledge and raising awareness about the use of renewable energy sources; using ecological transport; various forms of saving energy or water, which are necessary for everyday functioning; various forms of reducing the waste of food and other raw materials; – exchange of experience and good practices in the field of ecological and economic care for the environment, as well as the development of creativity and innovation in the implementation of appropriate activities, the task of which will be not only to care for the planet but also for the household budget; Within many of the thematic workshops, participants of the “$av€ the Planet” project: – discussed how the problems of inflation and the economic crisis affect our planet, environmental protection, and ecological behavior; – raised the subject of the effects of pollution and degradation of the Planet by human activity. They became acquainted with the threats, i.e. climate change, ecological disasters; population migrations caused by environmental changes; health problems, and diseases that arise as a result of these changes; – they got acquainted with the production of electricity; what impact electricity production has on the environment; how we most often waste it and how we can prevent its waste by contributing to the care of the home budget; – we got acquainted with the food production process and its impact on the natural environment and climate, as well as discussed tips that will help young people prevent food waste, thus contributing to savings in the household budget; – they discussed how to travel without harming the Planet and taking care of their savings; – they became acquainted with the energy of solar radiation, geothermal energy, wind, flowing water, biomass, or sea waves and tides. They discussed the benefits and disadvantages of renewable energy sources; their impact on the natural environment; possibilities of using particular types of energy in households; innovations in the field of renewable energy sources; as well as the economic aspect in relation to classical energy sources; National evenings, prepared by the participants of the international meeting “$av€ the Planet” were a traditional point of youth exchange. Each team presented its country, traditions, and customs in a creative and interesting way. Thanks to the national evenings, participants of the youth exchange deepened their knowledge of foreign cultures, broadened their horizons, and became more open and tolerant. Participants of the “$av€ the Planet” project took part in educational classes at the Sewage Treatment Plant in Zakopane with an expert (SEWiK representative), during which they addressed the subject of water-saving and wasting it, as well as polluting and purification. They got acquainted with the process of water purification, as well as the use of waste generated in the purification process. As part of the classes, they learned how we – people and our human activities affect water pollution; what are the negative effects of water pollution. The meeting with the expert was also an opportunity to share our experience and get answers to our questions. The youth exchange ended with an evaluation of the entire meeting, during which the participants assessed its individual elements and what they learned during the few days spent together. Each of the participants received a Youthpass certificate – as confirmation of participation in the project. The international project was an opportunity for everyone to broaden their competencies and interests, but also for many people, it was the first experience of working in an international environment. Within the “$av€ the Planet” project (a project co-financed by the European Union), participants prepared a workshop scenario focused on developing the competencies of its participants on being ecological and economical in the era of rising inflation, as well as a manual containing a lot of interesting information and knowledge about caring for the natural environment and our Planet; as well as tips on how not to waste food; how to save energy; how to save water; how to use renewable energy sources or which type of transport is the most eco-friendly. The effects of the participants’ work are presented below! https://www.canva.com/design/DAFxckDgUlU/C4z9I1UbArMJjqCOZFIIuw/view?utm_content=DAFxckDgUlU&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=publishsharelinkhttps://www.canva.com/design/DAFx41nrKqY/oomGrifnzkK64AwdIpna9g/view?utm_content=DAFx41nrKqY&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=editor
