Eva's story

Name: Eva

What first triggered your interest in environmental issues?

I grew up in the countryside, small village on the edge of a national park, surrounded by forests, so always had a very close relationship with nature in general. Now living in the major city, I realise the enormous influence human population has on natural environment and reasources. I believe we (as a human race) have to all change our behaviour in order to preserve what is left of our planet's nature and reduce the amount of pollution we create! We are destroying environment we depend on - we are biting the hand that feeds us!

What are you working on, concerned by, or motivated by at the moment?

I am actively working on reducing my own waste, recycle all I can, save energies, trying not to waste any food, water or petrol unnecessarilly. I am very interested in renewable sources of energy such as solar energy etc. I am very concerned with the attitude of others towards the environment which is mostly of ignorance and selfish pursuit of own comfort on the expense of the nature and everything in it.

What do you anticipate working on, or thinking about, in relation to environmental issues over the next 1 year, 5 years, and 10 years?

I would like to reduce my waste further, reduce driving, buy a bicycle and walk more where I can. If at all possible I would like to purchase and install a solar panel(s) on the roof of my property in the future.

How optimistic or pessimistic are you as you look at where we might be in 2020, and why?

I am half optimistic - i have hope some major corporation will take steps towards saving energies, recycle all their waste etc and some part of public individuals will change their everyday behaviour and attitudes in order to live greener, cleaner lives.

On the other hand, I am half pessimistic - major polluters such as U.S and China will not be able to reduce the pollution and waste they produce. Also many other countries such as India, parts of Africa and South America will not change their policies and behaviour due to the lack of resources, education etc. (i.e. millions of people living in slums around the world have no choice or say over their waste production when not provided with basic sanitation, hygiene, food, shelter etc. is almost non-existant - polluting rivers, countryside, destroying ecosystems). Human greed and selfishness wins with the wealthy part of population over care for environment and nature!

Tell your story in your own words.

In general, I have hope in people, but I doubt people will change (considering the course of their actions so far....).

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