Debates, Fairs and Eco-Education – A Busy Start to June in Sosnowiec

The beginning of June in Sosnowiec was marked by ecological engagement, air quality awareness and community education, all held under the LIFE project “Silesia. Blue Sky Restored.” Eco-manager Grzegorz Wierzbicki led a range of activities across the city, engaging residents of all ages—from preschoolers to high school students—in interactive and meaningful sustainability efforts.

Eco Education at the City Children’s Day Festival

On Sunday, 1 June, during the Children’s Day Festival on the popular “Środula Hill,” the eco-manager invited families to join educational games focused on clean air, renewable energy and waste segregation. Many families participated as teams, enthusiastically testing their environmental knowledge.

All participants received LIFE-branded eco-gadgets—cotton bags, T-shirts, caps, seed kits for mini wildflower meadows, reusable mugs, key lanyards and board games. Informational leaflets were also distributed about anti-smog regulations, the CEEB building emissions registry and subsidies for replacing old heating systems.

Blue Sky 2025 Climate Debate Tournament – City Stage

On 4 June, in the main hall of the City Office in Sosnowiec (Al. Zwycięstwa 20), the municipal stage of the Blue Sky 2025 Climate Oxford Debate Tournament took place. Students from II Secondary School (Emilia Plater) and IX Secondary School (Wisława Szymborska) debated two pressing topics:

• “Limiting vehicle emissions is a sufficient step in the fight against air pollution.”
• “Carbon emission taxation is an effective tool in improving air quality.”

Both teams were well-prepared and passionate, delivering high-level, evidence-based arguments. The IX Secondary School team narrowly won and will represent Sosnowiec in the central subregional stage on 11 June at the Cavalier Palace in Świerklaniec. The grand final is set to take place during the 3rd Silesian Climate Convention – CLIMATE-CON 2025 at Silesian Stadium in Chorzów in November.

Eco Activities for Preschoolers

Also on 4 June, eco-manager Grzegorz Wierzbicki joined the family eco-fair at Municipal Kindergarten No. 20 (ul. Śliwki 38). Around 560 attendees enjoyed environmental-themed games and had the opportunity to speak with the eco-manager about available grants for replacing outdated heating systems. Events like this, even on a local scale, contribute significantly to improving air quality citywide.

Community Engagement That Makes a Difference

The activities carried out in Sosnowiec during the EU Green Week and within the LIFE framework prove that successful environmental education is more than leaflets and classroom lessons—it’s about direct, engaging community involvement. Thanks to the commitment of eco-manager Grzegorz Wierzbicki, sustainability in Sosnowiec is becoming a part of everyday life.