"See What You Breathe" – a campaign for clean air in Żory

The educational campaign "See What You Breathe. Clean Air = Healthy Children" has been launched in Żory to raise awareness among residents about the impact of pollution on health and to encourage action to improve air quality. The central element of the campaign is the "Smog Lungs" installation by the Polish Smog Alert, which will be displayed in the town's market square for the next few weeks.

The "Smog Lungs" installation is a tool that visually demonstrates how air pollution accumulates in our lungs. Over the coming weeks, as the air is inhaled, the initially white lung filters will start to darken, illustrating the real impact of low emissions on residents' health.

As part of the campaign, a press conference was held with experts and local activists fighting for clean air. The event was attended by, among others, Emil Nagalewski – Coordinator of the Polish Smog Alert in the Silesian Voivodeship, Klaudia Mojza – Head of the Energy Efficiency Department, and Marcin Stempniak – Chief Specialist at the Energy Management Department of the Żory City Hall. The event was also attended by students from Żory schools, including the Anti-Smog Group, operating as part of the "Silesia. Blue Sky Restored" project.

One of the key figures fighting for air quality improvement in Żory is eco-manager Joanna Szerzyńska-Grabowska, who is actively involved in environmental education and anti-smog initiatives in the city. She is responsible for leading the Anti-Smog Group, organizing educational events in schools and preschools, and providing residents with advice on heat source replacement and available subsidies.

Joanna Szerzyńska-Grabowska also regularly participates in heating inspections, helping to eliminate illegal waste burning and other polluting practices.

The efforts of the consultation point of the "Clean Air" program have already brought tangible results – to date, over 1,300 applications for boiler replacement and building thermal modernization have been submitted in Żory, with a total funding amount of 16 million PLN.

As part of the "See What You Breathe" campaign, Żory residents can take part in a variety of educational and informational activities. The planned events include:

• A film screening for children on environmental topics.
• A drawing competition for primary school students in Żory.
• The "Adopt a Plant" campaign, encouraging plant exchange at Baranowice Palace (until March 7).
• Ecological workshops and a lecture on the impact of smog on health – February 17 at Baranowice Palace.
• A film screening of "Bambi: A Forest Tale" – March 6 at the municipal cinema.

All events are free of charge, and the organizers encourage residents to actively participate and engage in the fight for better air quality.

The campaign is taking place at a crucial moment for the Silesian Voivodeship. According to the anti-smog resolution, from January 1, 2026, the use of non-classified solid fuel boilers (so-called "kopciuchy") will be considered an offense. This means that every owner of an old heating system should consider replacing it as soon as possible with a modern and ecological heat source.

Air pollution, including PM10 and PM2.5 particulate matter, penetrates the respiratory and circulatory systems, leading to lung diseases, cardiovascular problems, and even cancer. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), smog is one of the main factors contributing to premature deaths worldwide.

Thanks to the work of eco-managers such as Joanna Szerzyńska-Grabowska, Żory residents can receive professional advice on boiler replacement and available subsidies. This is the last chance to take advantage of funding and contribute to improving air quality in the region.

Text and photos: Joanna Szerzyńska-Grabowska, eco-manager of the Municipality of Żory.