Climate Exchange

01.09.2023

With the inevitability of climate change, the spread of environmental degradation and exploitation, and the ambitions to mitigate its effects, for example by the European Green Deal or the 2015 Paris Agreement, people are still unwilling or unaware of how to reduce their environmental footprint. Despite slowly rising awareness of the inevitable negative impacts of climate change, such as the greenhouse effect, the rise of sea levels, and loss of biodiversity, the footprint linked to individual lifestyle is still not known by the majority of the society. Despite its commitments, majority of people in the European Union still is not aware of the environmental implications of their every day life. Thereby, learning about environmental impact that we leave behind in our everyday activities could serve as a good start in increasing a social responsibility amongst young citizens. Unfortunately, we will not be ever able to rewind the times and to make humankind environmentally responsible before the imminent threat of climate change, however we can still change numerous aspects of our life and slow down the effects of climate change. It is now when we need to act. And primarily- act together.

The main objective of the project was gaining a knowledge on reducing our environmental footprint. The secondary objective of the project is to develop participant's soft skills, more precisely their cultural awareness, ability to work in team, English language skills, leadership amongst others. Apart of developing aforementioned elements, the main product of the project is a creation of an informative videos showcasing adaptive measures in urban settings: Link to the videos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1E3zEjjY_GhorBkMctDzCclodDSEuqXL0?usp=sharing

The "Climate Exchange" project, an ambitious and enlightening youth exchange hosted by Karvina Sustainably, has successfully concluded. Over the course of a rain-filled week in Karviná, we embarked on a transformative journey, blending education, creativity, and hands-on experiences to address the challenges and opportunities of climate change.

Throughout this engaging week, participants from six European countries delved into a diverse array of activities. They conceptualized an eco-friendly travel agency, offering tours with a focus on sustainability. In a dynamic simulation game, they strategized to prepare a fictional village for climate change, learning about adaptation and mitigation measures. Collaborating with experts from MSID, POHO2030, and LIFE Coala, they explored the history and simulated future scenarios of mountain landscapes, understanding the impacts of environmental changes.

Additionally, participants produced a film showcasing adaptive measures in urban settings, creatively communicating their learnings.

An enriching visit to the inclusive organization Romodrom was a part of our journey, where we witnessed their impactful work in social housing and food banks. Engaging in discussions and activities, participants gained insights into community-led sustainability initiatives.

The project also featured an online presentation with an expert from Unicef, broadening our understanding of global climate issues and the role of international cooperation in addressing them.

As we reflect on the completion of the "Climate Exchange" project, we carry forward the lessons, inspirations, and friendships forged, committed to continuing our journey towards environmental stewardship and community resilience.

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