The regular meeting of the Children's Environmental Parliament in Donetsk Oblast was devoted to the topic "Environmental awareness as a new norm: transformation of environmental and consumer behavior."
The event, organized by the Donetsk Regional Ecological and Naturalistic Center, brought together 69 young ecologists – students of the DONC and pupils of general secondary education institutions in the region. The topic was determined based on the results of a January survey of DEP leaders, in which the issue of reusing items received the most support.
Participants considered key aspects of shaping environmental awareness, in particular, rejecting excessive consumption and "fast fashion," developing a culture of waste sorting, and promoting the principles of Zero Waste and responsible product selection. The speakers noted that environmental responsibility is becoming a social norm today, and that every consumer's choices have an impact on the environment.
Special attention was paid to the problem of "fast fashion," which causes significant amounts of textile waste and water pollution. Young people called for choosing quality items, adhering to the principle of conscious shopping, and giving things a second life through exchange, reuse, and recycling.
The practical part of the meeting was an exhibition and master class entitled "The Second Life of Things." Participants actively took part in the game "Ideas Workshop."
Yuriy Rakov, a chemistry and biology teacher at the Vitaliy Ostrenko Secondary School in the village of Piddubne, Komarskyi Village Council, Donetsk Oblast, joined the parliament and presented examples of the implementation of upcycling ideas in education and agriculture.
Following the meeting, a resolution was adopted defining the formation of environmental awareness as a priority area of the parliament's activities and supporting the development of upcycling and the promotion of a culture of waste sorting in communities.