GB No. 3(18)/95

POLISH ECOLOGICAL CLUB

HISTORY OF THE CLUB

The Polish Ecological Club (PKE) was founded in Cracow in 1980 during the early days of the Solidarity opposition movement and is widely recognised as being the first legally established independent, non-profit, environmental non-governmental organisation in the former socialist block countries of Central and Eastern Europe. PKE was the first social organisation to openly protest against the policies of the existing government which treated the environment as an ownerless, valueless property and which imposed an energy-intensive economy based on heavy industry.

THE GOAL OF OUR ACTIVITIES...

is the practical implementation of true the concept of sustainable development; realising steady improvement in environmental conditions and the creation of society thought education that quality of life is depended on achieving a balance between technological development, humanistic values and wise stewardship of the earth's natural resources.

The Polish Ecological Club...

• consist of a National Board in Cracow, 14 regional Branches and over 120 grassroots Circles operating throughout the country;
• brings together various experts and specialists working in Club's Commissions for Environmental Education, Waste Management, Water Management, National Parks, Law, Organic Farming, Transportation, Publications and Health;
• works with Members of Parliament and the Administration to support the formulation and implementation of environmentally sustainable policies;
• engages in environmental education through the editing and publishing of books and organisation of seminars and workshops;
• publishes a wide variety of scientific reports and bulletins, including regular publications of: "To be or Not to Be", "Information Bulletin of the National Board", "NGOs & BANKs", "Green Series", "New Items for Central and Eastern Europe", and Newsletters of different PKE's branches;
• organises actions and campaigns for the protection of the environment and human health;
• is a member of the following international organisations: Friends of the Earth - International, The World Conservation Union, Environment Liaison Centre International.

15 Years of PKE Achievements include...

• publication and distribution of hundred of thousand of books, booklets and pamphlets promoting environmental education;
• forcing the closure of a harmful electrolysis division of the aluminium plant near Cracow;
• major involvement in the formulation of the draft "eco-developemnt' policy which become the official State Environmental Policy adopted by Parliament in 1991;
• successful opposition to the building of nuclear power plants near the cities of Klempicz and Żarnowiec;
• participation in the creation of the Environmental Impact Assessment Commission by the Ministry of Environment;
• public pressure leading to the closure of a highly polluting foundry in Siechnice;
• initiation and leadership of numerous successful actions against threats to the cultural heritage of Polish historical sites;
• participation in numerous European-wide programs such as the "Action for Protected Areas in Europe", "Air Pollution Project Europe", and the "CEE Bankwatch Network";
• ongoing campaign in opposition to the completion of the Mochovce nuclear power plant in neighbouring Slovakia.

PROGRAMMES CURRENTLY IMPLEMENTED BY THE PKE

Eco-volunteers - a programme sponsored by the United Nations which provides financial and technical support to local activists working on community development and environmental issues. In Poland, 10 eco-volunteers works on issues such as promotion of healthy food, sustainable transportation, waste management and environmental education.

NGOs & BANKs - campaign focusing on the collection, analysis and dissemination of information about the activities of International Financial Institutions in Poland and their environmental impact. The campaign is a part of the global movement to eliminate the destructive effects such institutions sometimes have and to assist them in making positive contributions to development processes.

Green Consumerism - this campaign recognises the new role of citizens as consumers in the rapidly emerging market economy and promotes environment-friendly behaviour and attitudes as an alternative to "run-away" consumerism. It includes waste reduction actions and present criteria for identifying products which are more environment friendly then others.

ICAP - The Information Centre on Air Protection has been operated by the Upper Silesia Branch of the PKE for several years, with the steady support of Swedish NGO Secretariat for Acid Rain. Its activities focus on alternatives for reducing air pollution, energy conservation and cleaner production

Polski Klub Ekologiczny
Polish Ecological Club
ul. Piłsudskiego 8
31-109 Kraków
tel./fax: 48/12/21 88 52
email: uedabrow@cyf-kr.edu.pl