Press-release
Campaign "For prioritization of the ecological policy"
On the 1th of January 2007 (14:00), All-Ukrainian Ecological Non-governmental organization "ÌÀÌÀ-86" conducted a press-conference "For prioritization of the ecological policy" in a news agency UKRINFORM.
Current crisis condition of environment and a related factor of population’s health create a threat for Ukrainian National Security. A main problem is that the Ukrainian ecological policy is ineffective. The main reason of ineffectiveness of the ecological policy is its low priority in the country and absence of political will to change the situation. It looks like that an ecological factor is perceived by coalition’s politicians in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine as an obstacle for Ukrainian economic growth, like their predecessors did.
Ganna Golubovska-Onisimova, President of All-Ukrainian Ecological Non-governmental organization "ÌÀÌÀ-86" declared that the Ukrainian economy grow without the plan of development and modernization, basing on an out-of-date material and technical base, in the same deformed structure of national economy, that was inherited from USSR and which is characterized by high percentage of energy intensive and resource intensive industries, depreciating of general funds which is 70—80%. Economic priorities forced out nature protection priorities in the strategy of economic and social development of Ukraine till 2007, limitation of natural-resource potential and medical-demographic crisis do not undertake to attention. Instead of absolute reduction of contamination, the reduction of contamination is planned to VVP reduction, or, in other words, increase of contamination by less rates! Protected natural territories, which should occupy 7.5% territory of Ukraine, barely reach 5%.
Such an attitude of the Ukrainian ruling clique to this problems promotes violations of legislation in this area, procreates self-will and impunity. The example can be heavy problems with the natural-protected fund of Ukraine.
The chairman of the National Ecological Center of Ukraine Serhiy Tarashchuk noticed the delay in the implementation of the Law of Ukraine "On State Program for Developing a National Ecological Network of Ukraine for 2000—2015" and the preventing by authority creation of national natural parks "Granite-Steppe Pobouggya" and "Cinbournsca kosa". Illegal decision about elimination of "Bug gard", renewal of the notorious project due to the Danube biosphere preserve, decision-making about the removal of the protected status from the National natural park "Goutsoulshina" and protected natural boundary "Cornalovichi" and more than 200 protected objects on earths of state- forest fund in 2005—2006 — all this tell about the loss of national priorities in saving of especially valuable earths, about the system theft and destruction of our environment.
The campaign of the Ukrainian nature protection organizations "For prioritization of the ecological policy" lasts more than two years. Public organizations took part in the First President Hearings "Challenges generated by Freedom", conducted a round table "Ecological policy in Ukraine before and after elections: how the positive changes can be reach?", formed the voluntary nonpolitical union of nature protection organizations "Green Maydan" and conducted protest’s actions, pickets, educational measures for population, prepared and gave substantiation for the project of Decree of President of Ukraine "About prioritization of the ecological policy", realized the project "Public lobbying of privileged decisions of authorities for increasing of ecological policy efficiency". The prepared recommendations will be voluntarily lobbied by the union of nature protections NGOs "Green Maydan" farther.
Dr. Olexandr Stegniy, the senior researcher of Institute of Sociology, NAN Ukraine, presented results of expert research and Grinkevich Lydia, projects coordinator of All-Ukraine Environmental NGO "MAMA-86" told about the results of application of the project the "Public lobbying of privileged decisions of authorities for increasing of ecological policy efficiency."
"Public organizations are convinced that an ecological constituent should have not lees weight than economic or social ones in the state. The main goal for overcoming Ukrainian ecological crisis is an exposure of STATE political will and claim of clear to the vector on the improvement of situation. For this purpose Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, President of Ukraine must send to society a clear signal in relation to the grant of priority to the ecological policy. The proper resolution of Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine would lay down the beginning of the process of ecological constituent integration to the strategy of economic and social development of the state. Status of Minister for environmental protection should be promoted. The Minister of the ministry for environmental protection of Ukraine should be included to permanent composition of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine. The position of vice-prime of sustainable development, who would co-ordinate international approach of economical social and ecological development problems in a complex, should be established. His work could be supported by the Agency of sustainable development and the proper structural subdivision of secretariat KMU. For consideration of these recommendations to National Deputies of Ukraine and public should prepare and conduct the Parliamentary hearing about the ecological policy efficiency and sustainable development. For development of the dialog between public and VRU about environment related questions, the Public council attached to ecological policy committee should be formed and Public council attached to KMU should finally work too," — Ganna Golubovska-Onisimova finished the appearances.
