Friday 29 March 2024 | 13:43

Anton Barisenka: Belarusians are irresponsible towards the future generations

06.03.2017  |  Society
Anton Barisenka: Belarusians are irresponsible towards the future generations

Among the positive "environmental practices" of the Belarusian citizens “I don’t smoke, I keep off the grass, I do not pick up mushrooms” can be found.

The term "environmentally friendly" has appeared about 10 years ago. Nevertheless, everyone knows such expressions as "environmental protection" and "conserving natural resources” from childhood. Moreover recently the "green" movement has been gaining popularity. Against this backdrop, sociologists tried to create an "environmental" portrait of the Belarusians, and the picture turned out to be quite controversial.

During the conference of the Center for Environmental Solutions, Anton Barisenka, the sociologist at the "Novak" laboratory, explained how environmental friendliness is being developed in Belarus.

- In October 2016, we conducted a survey of 1385 people. We assumed that the difference between urban and rural residents will be substantial, therefore the share of rural population was increased in the sample, - underlined the sociologist.  

"Ecology and health are deteriorating, but there is no connection between it"

First of all, people were asked how they assess the state of the environment and their own health. In general, the Belarusians are rather pessimistic: almost half of the population believes that we see environmental degradation. Mostly people with higher education adhere to this point of view, whereas those with vocational education believe Belarus is improving its environmental situation. One out of six people believes that people are becoming healthier, but the majority - seven out of ten – hold the opposite opinion.

Every fourth Belarusian argues that they care about the environment. And just as many people don’t do anything to improve the ecological situation. At the same time, as it turned out, only one out of five people cares about their health and one third of the citizens do not pay attention to it at all.

Sociologists are very surprised by the fact that people do not realize the connection between the state of the environment and their ​​health: 40% of the respondents were not aware of any links between the notions.

- It is very curious that those caring about the environment, their health and those understanding the relation between the two things are not the same people, - notes Anton Barisenka.

We see similar situation in the answers about the ways the Belarusians protect the environment. For example, people who sort wastes are not the same people who do not litter or collect garbage outdoors at all.

The ancestors were better; our descendants are our hope now

- People’s idea of being environmentally friendly is often associated with quite naive things. For example, some responded that they are non-smokers and this way they cause no harm to the environment. Or they keep off the grass. Others do not pick up mushrooms, - gives examples the researcher.

It is noteworthy that the Belarusians perceive only nature as the environment, and not where they live, what they eat, etc.

The term ‘environmental friendliness’ means not only causing no harm to the nature, but also responsibility towards the future generations. In this sense, according to the survey, personal responsibility for the environment is recognized by every fifth person only. Half of the population believes their way of life does not affect our environment. The majority of the Belarusians believe that the previous generations were more eco-friendly than people today. At the same time quite a lot of people are convinced that in the distant future, our descendants will be more conscious about the environment than we are.

Cheap and damaging wins over expensive and environmentally-friendly

- They are the same people who say that they are trying to use one plastic bag multiple times, but regularly buy new ones in stores. Or, for example, a quarter of Belarusians study the composition of the goods they buy carefully. But the majority of the respondents are willing to buy products harmful to the environment or their health, if they are cheaper than the environmentally friendly goods, - comments the expert the results of the survey.

About 60% of people mentioned they are trying to carpool with their family. Only 34% of respondents bikes as a means of transport, and biking is more popular in rural areas. It is Interesting, that people with higher education are less likely to use a bicycle.

10% of Belarusians would like to reduce their level of consumption, at the same time such a response was usually given by people with very high income.

Other news section «Society»

What actually the State List of Historical and Cultural Values gives to Belarusan Heritage Sites?
What actually the State List of Historical and Cultural Values gives to Belarusan Heritage Sites?
The Belarus Committee of ICOMOS announces the collection of cases on the effectiveness of the State List of Historical and Cultural Values as a tool of the safeguarding the cultural monuments.
The right to heritage according to the standards of the Faro Convention: is it possible in Belarus?
The right to heritage according to the standards of the Faro Convention: is it possible in Belarus?
On March 27-28, the Belarus ICOMOS and the EuroBelarus held an online expert workshop on expanding opportunities for community participation in the governance of historical and cultural heritage.
“It is our big joint work”
“It is our big joint work”
It is impossible to change life in cities just in three years (the timeline of the “Agenda 50” campaign implementation). But changing the structure of relationships in local communities is possible.
The “Agenda 50” campaign was finalised by the Regional Development Forum
The “Agenda 50” campaign was finalised by the Regional Development Forum
The Forum was devoted not so much to the outputs as to the challenges and prospects after the creation and signing of local agendas.
Mikhail Matskevich: How to create a local agenda and make it a problem solving tool
Mikhail Matskevich: How to create a local agenda and make it a problem solving tool
To achieve changes, you need to be interested in them and stop pinning all hopes on the state.
“If a person cannot leave the apartment, he or she does not need an accessible Opera House”
“If a person cannot leave the apartment, he or she does not need an accessible Opera House”
In Stoubcy, they talked about universal design and conducted pilot monitoring of two urban sites accessibility.
Local agenda in Valożyn: mission accomplished
Local agenda in Valożyn: mission accomplished
"Specificity is different, but the priority is general." In Valożyn, a local strategy for the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was signed.
How Ščučyn was proceeding towards the solution of problems of people with disabilities
How Ščučyn was proceeding towards the solution of problems of people with disabilities
The campaign "Agenda 50" was summed up in Ščučyn, and a local action plan for the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was signed there.
A program to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities was designed in Stolin
A program to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities was designed in Stolin
The regional center has become the second city in Belarus where the local plan for the implementation of the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was signed.
“Agenda 50” in Belarus: from strategies to implementation
“Agenda 50” in Belarus: from strategies to implementation
Representatives of the campaign “Agenda 50” from five pilot cities discussed achievements in creating local agendas for implementing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
In Stoubcy, a local action plan for the implementation of the Convention was signed
In Stoubcy, a local action plan for the implementation of the Convention was signed
It is noteworthy that out of the five pilot cities, Stoubcy was the last to join the campaign “Agenda 50”, but the first one to complete the preparation of the local agenda.
The monitoring of accessibility was presented in Stolin
The monitoring of accessibility was presented in Stolin
On May 28, the city hosted a presentation of the results of the project "Equal to Equal" which was dedicated to monitoring the barrier-free environment in the city.
“They think if the legs don’t function, neither functions the head.”
“They think if the legs don’t function, neither functions the head.”
In Babruysk, wheelchair users are fighting discrimination.
The real work of the Convention depends on all interested communities and organizations
The real work of the Convention depends on all interested communities and organizations
What results has the campaign "Agenda 50" given, what helps to implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the regions?
The Convention is a fight against fears, barriers and stigmata
The Convention is a fight against fears, barriers and stigmata
Experts in Valožyn have determined that the quality of people’s life depends on their awareness.
The Convention should become a "living tool”, rather than remaining just an ordinary document
The Convention should become a "living tool”, rather than remaining just an ordinary document
On March 3, members of the campaign "Agenda 50" from different Belarusian cities met in Minsk. The campaign is aimed at the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The main thing is one’s personal motivation for full active life (PHOTOS)
The main thing is one’s personal motivation for full active life (PHOTOS)
There are being implemented three projects under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities campaign in the city of Babruysk.
One man does not make a team, but united we are able to do a lot
One man does not make a team, but united we are able to do a lot
In Ščučyn, people with disabilities learned to be leaders and to advocate their interests.
Barrier-free environment – it is not a ramp, but a means of independence (PHOTOS)
Barrier-free environment – it is not a ramp, but a means of independence (PHOTOS)
In Stolin, social organizations and local authorities are implementing a project aimed at independent living of persons with disabilities, and creating local agenda for the district.
Polish experts: We say “equality” and you say “inclusion”
Polish experts: We say “equality” and you say “inclusion”
Will creation of local agendas be an effective tool in ensuring rights of persons with disabilities in Belarus, just as it was in Poland?
Gintautas Mažeikis: The relation of political field and arena in the framework of information war

In his report, philosopher Gintautas Mažeikis discusses several concepts that have been a part of the European social and philosophical thought for quite a time.

“It is our big joint work”

It is impossible to change life in cities just in three years (the timeline of the “Agenda 50” campaign implementation). But changing the structure of relationships in local communities is possible.

Shhh! Belarus Wants You to Think It’s Turning Over a New Leaf

Minsk’s muddled media clampdown could jeopardize warming of relations with the West.

Mikhail Matskevich: How to create a local agenda and make it a problem solving tool

To achieve changes, you need to be interested in them and stop pinning all hopes on the state.