Environmental monitoring campaigns with citizens and NGOs

Citizens and NGOs also had a chance to cooperate closely with scientists and ask questions about air quality. For example, the so-called "bio-monitoring campaign" was accompanied by an awareness raising initiative. In the air quality perception questionnaire, 94% of the volunteers described the air quality in their city as bad, associated with frequent inversion episodes, smog, breathing problems, bad smell, dust, smoke, dirt, an industry with a terrible smoke, and home heating. Asthma was mentioned as a predominant health problem. The residents underlined their feeling of having a reduced life quality as the air pollution limits their outdoor activities. About 96% of the respondents said that air pollution affects their health. Young people identified air pollution as a reason for leaving the region. Cooperation with the city authorities unveiled a demand for raising children's awareness of air pollution. Subsequently, educational programs about air, air pollution, and its prevention have been carried out in kindergartens and primary schools with great success. At the end of all empowerment initiatives, a public seminar was organized in Ostrava for all stakeholders presenting the project results and enabling a discussion about air pollution problems in the region and potential solutions.

Note: See source document for full reference.

Cultural Factors: Attitudes toward environmental issues, Local knowledge

Hazards: Natural hazards

Disaster Phases: All disaster phases, Prevention, Preparedness, Response, Recovery

Types of Actors Concerned: NGOs, Non-active citizens, National research bodies

Recommendations:

• Improve disaster management processes through better networking and cooperation between public and private actors and a better understanding of the role which each of these actors plays in the different disaster management stages
• Foster the adoption of a culture of disaster prevention and resilience by informing and motivating citizens to take action