The database makes it possible to search for events by subject. This allows you to see the nuclear energy related problems in Bulgaria, e.g. the case of Belene Nuclear Power Plant. “For the Earth” has recently published a report about the true cost of the Belene project [1">. In addition, the large number of cases concerning the waste management in Bulgaria shows one of the main problems – inefficient use of resources and lack of public involvement in the planning of large and potentially harmful infrastructure, such as regional landfills for long-term storage of waste.
On a more positive note, “For the Earth” has begun to search out and map the most significant eco-centers in the country, which are open to the public during the centers’ visiting hours.
Among the most curious cases shown on the map are the following:
- Zwentendorf Nuclear Power Plant Museum – the first nuclear power plant in Austria, closed after a referendum before its release in 1978. Today it is a museum, training center, a place for festivals and a photovoltaic station.
- The Obichkovtsi Estate whose inhabitants strive for sustainable, self-sufficient existence in harmony with the environment.
- The millionaires’ village Hiware Bazar, India.
One of the most interesting features of the map is that it allows you to select a place and search for environmental problems or good practices within a 1-100 km radius (filter by location).
Another important feature of the map is its accessibility. Anyone can post events – good examples of environmentally friendly practices such as eco-villages, food cooperatives, farmers’ markets, etc., or examples of environmental conflicts such as pollution, violation of protected areas, conflicts with the mining industry, urban issues, etc.
“For the Earth” encourages all people who come across good or bad environmental examples to seek inspiration in the experience of others in similar situations in Bulgaria or worldwide. Thanks to the map, people can use the power of visual representation to warn about environmental conflicts or share good practices (click “send event”).
The linking of spatial information to environmental issues makes it easier to find similar problems or good practices. We are hoping via this map to contribute to the creation of networks for mutual help between people from different communities, regardless of their location.
The Bulgarian map is inspired by the International Atlas of Environmental Conflicts/ Global Atlas of Environmental Justice [2"> (www.ejatlas.org), created as part of the EJOLT project for environmental justice, responsibility and trade, funded by the European Union (http://www.ejolt.org/) [3">. “For the Earth” is a participant in the project.
Editorial notes:
[1"> “Belene project: The true cost of nuclear energy”
[2"> Global Atlas of Environmental Justice. The atlas is an interactive database with information in English about 1,000 environmental conflicts worldwide. The map allows you to search and filter the conflicts by products, company name, country and type of conflict. Over 100 people from 23 universities and non-governmental organizations working in the field of environmental justice in 18 countries, including “For the Earth”, and dozens of independent participants from around the world, have contributed actively to the creation of this huge and valuable resource. The project is coordinated by Prof. Joan Martinez Alier and his team of environmental economists at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (ICTA-UAB).
[3"> The EJOLT project, http://www.ejolt.org / Environmental Justice Organizations, Liabilities and Trade, is part of the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Commission, which covers the period 2011- 2015. The project supports organizations working on the topic of environmental justice, brings together scientists, active civil society organizations, policy institutes, politicians in the field of environmental law, health, and political ecology, to discuss topics such as ecological debt (or environmental responsibility).
Interactive map of environmental conflicts and good practices already available in Bulgarian
