GB No. 4, spring 1991

GB HEADLINE NEWS

In 1983 the Government Environment Agency entered the Chemical Plant in Police. Although the Inspection found a 20-million-ton heap of phosphogipsum stored illegally on the premises, it overlooked the possible danger the heap could have had on the environment. Some time later the heap collapsed, damaging the nearby flood banks. The plant informed the local Voivodeship that a minor accident had occurred while in reality a catastrophe had taken place.

The Szczecin Club for Forming & Protection of the Environment brought charges against the Szczecin Voivodeship for failing to take appropriate measures in order to avoid the catastrophe. The Ministers' Council Bureau resposible for the charge examination sent it back to... the Szczecin Voivodeship for the further investigation!

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Głębokie is a lake near Szczecin. It owes its existence to a nearby wood which permits just enough rain water to accumulate for the lake not to disappear. If the wood becomes a site of development projects and the flow of rain water hampered, there will be an ecological disaster in Szczecin. Moreover, the wood constitutes a kind of a safety zone for the local drinking water intake. Despite all this, the municipality decided to build a ZOO there, and the Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry agreed to use the wood for non-agricultural purposes. These decisions were made enfirely without careful consideration. In the last 3 years a number of charges have been brought against the decision - unfortunately, to no effect.

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Thousands of trees and bushessuffer every year from the spring burning of grass and stubble. Last year the damage was particularly visible. However, the Ministry of Agriculture has not taken any measures to replace the burned plants. They claim that repairing this kind of damage does not fall within the scope of their autorities

3 x Andrzej Stobierski
by Mirosław Kwiatkowski
ZB No 2/91

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Do you know that there are plans to organize a garbage dump and chicken ranches and build a highway in Szczeciński Landscape Park - The Beech Forest.

Every day the Beech Forest is damaged by the inhabitants of Szczecin, who, by driving their cars, making noise and leaving junk, are contaminating the forest. This area really needs protection; the only solution is to establish a national park. The forest's remarkable beauty supports a wide variety of plants and animals. The pollution level is not that great - yet - that is why national park should be established before it is too late.

ZB 8-9 (90)
Szymon Schab

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The Bituminous Products Factory is located in the middle of the Garb Tenczyński forest, which includes the Tenczyński Landscape Park and the Krakowian Western Sphere of Biophysical Protection.

According to Communist decisions in the 1970's, the factory was to exist until the 1990, although it emits enormous amounts of dust, especially silicon compounds, SO2, nitrogen, oxides carbons and hydrocarbons. The factory exceeds all anticipated project (sic!) limits.

The localization of the factory was to be temporary, and only under this condition was it approved by the Jura Landscape Park committee.

But instead of closing this factory has been modernized without considering the ecological dangers.

According to the regulations this factory should no longer exist. Addi- tionally, the same area is to provide water for the village Tenczynek. As a result, the inhabitants of Tenczynek are protesting. Despite their ef- forts, the only result is progress in the extension of the factory.

Mariusz Waszkiewicz
ZB 9/90
translation Szymon Schab

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A CIRCUS IS NO FUN FOR ANIMALS - under this banner took place a happening and inquiry action in the "Gaia" Club on 24 February 1991. We protested against using animals during circus performances. There were about 20 people in "Gaia". We were dealing out leaflets about the suffering of animals, which are used for training. Our leaflets also discussed the effect of watching humiliated animals on children. There was information about our happening in the press and we managed to talk to Major (city president). We talked about circuses coming into town with trained animals.

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"WHY" is the title of the exhibition. This exhibition shows animals and their place in our culture.

On display were posters, photos, information describing animals suffering in experimental laboratories, slaughterhouses, farms... The exhibition was very popular, because this problem isn't well-known in Poland. Lots of people were interested in it, but few of them wanted to be active.

Organizers wanted the exhibition to be shown and some of them wanted to organize one like ours - so we decided to broaden it. We published a leaflet, post-cards and labels.

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If you want to help us:

Of course, it's our request. Your help can make our activity easier. But even if you refuse, we won't stop.

Wojtek Owczarz
Klub "Gaia"
Wyzwolenia 119
43-365 Wilkowice

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THE GDAŃSK NECROPOLIS

The problem with the cemetery began in 1988. Individual protest actions proved ineffective. Late in 1989 we wrote a sharp note, threatening to take the case to court if our note was ignored. It became evident - according to the Provincial Architect - that all the decisions had been in fact, unlawful. Nevertheless, efforts continue to build one vast cemetery instead of several smaller ones around the city. This solution forces the local authority into building wide access-roads and car parks which will be used only once a year. Therefore we want to declare our support for the preservation of the fields, the pond (a waterfowl sanctuary) and water intake. We have planted some trees around the pond. We also want to persuade the authorities to reduce or discontinue their costly investments in funerals. Instead of concrete or marble slabs, it would be a good thing - as in some cultures - to plant trees at the graveside; a better symbol of "living memory" as well as showing the departed's true appreciation of life.

Wojciech Mazur

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Recently we've been playing at "archaeology" in the cemetery (currently Academic Park), among the remaining "souvenirs" - smashed tombstones (used in the 1970's to build walls around the park and along Aleja Zwycięstwa (a magnificent avenue lined with lime trees, but also the main road linking the Trójmiasto. [Gdańsk - Gdynia - Sopot]. The road deprives Błędnik and Academic Parks of peace and fresh air), sunken graves, and, above all, 60-90 year old trees (limes, chestnuts, planes and horn beams until today line paths in the cemetery). We're thinking about two campaigns: "Attention! Cemetery!" during the night 31.10 - 1.11.90; and one against traffic on Aleja Zwycięstwa (bicycles and trams are enough; once there used to be a path next to the road for horse - drawn cabs.

Janusz P. Waluszko
ZB No 8-9/90
translation: Lynn Townsend
& Pawełek D±browski

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GB No. 4, spring 1991 | Contents