Laboratory work in Velamsund´s demonstration area.
It is often assumed that information is the main tool when attempting to increase
people´s environmental awareness and change their behaviour. However, in Nacka´s
experience information itself is not enough if not supplemented with concrete and
convincing examples. Furthermore, people are most affected by attitudes and
behaviour of those the closest to them - family, friends and colleagues at work.
At present, there are about 70 teams with over 1% of the municipal population as
members. The teams have reached greatest success in spreading composting activity
in the community. When it comes to saving energy as well as traffic issues, a drastic
change in habits has been tougher to achieve through eco-teams. But even in these
fields progress is going on: in fact, some teams are building solar collectors on the
roofs of their houses and trying to introduce alternatives to fossil fuels.
Similar projects have been initiated in various countries by the Global Action Plan,
but an important element in the work done in Nacka is that the municipal
administration has both participated in and supported the eco-teams.
Also, the Nacka Nature School, which concentrates on distributing environment and
nature related information to school classes, is situated in Velamsund. The ambitious
goal is to develop Velamsund into a model for demonstration areas supporting a new
lifestyle in the Baltic region. The municipality invites all interested persons to
participate in this work.
Nacka is also cooperating with Jelgava in Latvia, one of its twin-cities, by building a
demonstration area similar to Velamsund there. Since autumn 1996, equipment such
as solar catchers and compost containers have been presented in the area in order to
develop the citizenry´s awareness in Jelgava towards adopting a more sustainable
lifestyle.
For more information, please contact Mr Guldbrand Skjönberg, fax: +46 8 718 9449
or visit Nacka´s homepages.
Installation of a solar catcher at Jelgava, Nacka´s twin-city in Latvia.
Eco-teams
Integral examples are provided by eco-teams, which have already been working in
Nacka for four years. These eco-teams consist of families interested in an
environmentally friendly lifestyle. The teams have formulated common goals, share
experiences with each other, evaluate their habits from an environmentally
responsible point of view and serve as examples for more "ordinary" inhabitants in
the neighbourhood. Ecological forum
Another central element in the local Agenda 21-work in Nacka is "Kretslopps-Forum"
- the Ecological Forum, a center for the distribution of environmental information. It
is strategically located in the municipality´s largest shopping centre and is open on all
weekdays. In addition to individual people visiting the center, many groups (e.g.
school classes) also come for planned visits and demonstrations. The centre has also
become a place where the voluntary Agenda 21 groups gather in order to coordinate
their work. Demonstrational area
Velamsunds recreation area is in the process of becoming a demonstration area for
ecologically sound lifestyles. The main idea is that many people need to see for
themselves, and touch / smell new equipment in operation before they are able to
adopt it themselves.
