INTERVIEW with professor Mirjana Gerdijan-Vranich
- What do you think are the students and staff of our school environmentally conscious?
I don’t think we need to generalize the answer. How does anyone. There are those who are very responsible, but also those who think that this is not their concern.
- Do you think something needs to be changed in that sense?
Absolutely.
- Do you think there are enough projects and activities in our school that deal with environmental issues?
Such projects and activities are never enough.
- What are your suggestions for improving the situation at our school and have you personally participated in any activity or project related to ecology?
First, we need to explain what ecology is and what environmental protection is. Ecology is a science that deals with the study of the interaction of living beings and their natural environment. The term ecology is used in different meanings, so it is often misidentified with terms such as nature protection and environmental protection.
Nature protection deals with the study, maintenance and preservation of natural values – plant and animal species, the originality of the landscape.
Environmental protection is a set of appropriate activities and measures aimed at preventing pollution and pollution of the environment, preventing the occurrence of damage, reducing and / or eliminating damage to the environment and restoring the environment to the state before the damage occurred.
Ecology is not a science of pollution, it is not a science of environmental protection, it is not a science of proper management of natural resources, however, without knowledge of ecology and ecological principles it is not possible to solve these problems and tasks. Only eco-education and education on nature and the environment, as well as adequate coexistence with nature, ensure the sustainable development and future of new generations.
With the popularization of ecology, the term ecology has become synonymous with the environment.
Environmental education should start in kindergarten, at preschool age.
The biggest problem is changing people’s habits. Without the effort and effort of each individual, the desired results cannot be achieved.
Small steps should be taken:
- “waste is not garbage” – separate plastic, glass, metal, PET packaging, old paper, batteries
- save water and electricity
- we should use public transport (which is not available in Rovinj) or travel to work together
- cycling (unfortunately there are no bike lanes in Rovinj)
- choose ecological products and those that use less energy
- buy seasonal product
Formerly, students of our school, together with their teachers, participate in cleaning the beaches of Rovinj every spring, we also had work actions to collect old paper.
Through biology classes (and probably other subjects), students are introduced to the impact of humans on nature, nature and the environment, and sustainable development.
Questions: SIFEC team Rovinj, Croatia
Answers: Professor Mirjana Gerdijan-Vranich
