Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The youth of Uzbekistan has united within the framework of the #BeTheWave eco-challenge to promote their ideas on preserving the environment. The event has merged into the #EU4Environment Week, organized by the EU Delegation in Uzbekistan with the support of the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Ecology and Environmental Protection, as well as the Center for the Hydrometeorological Service "Uzhydromet".

Tashkent, December 8, 2020 - On the eve of the celebration of the 5th anniversary of the Paris Agreement on climate, Uzbekistan hosted the #EU4Environment Week from December 1 till December 7. All events have been held online and attracted a great number of young people through the #BeTheWave eco-challenge. The #BeTheWave is part of a global initiative of the European Commission that motivates people to take simple, beneficial steps to preserve the climate and the environment, both at home and in public.

Online-events

The main events of the Week have been held on the corporate pages of the Delegation of the European Union to Uzbekistan in Instagram and Facebook. Some of the eco-friendly ways which have been promoted to contribute to the environment, include simple actions such as using water in a glass while brushing teeth, using reusable textile bags for shopping in the store, turning off indoor lights, using thermo mugs and many others.

“Activity coverage statistics impresses deeply. Over 55 000 people in Uzbekistan and beyond our country have merged into the #EU4Environment Week. This implies that environmental issues and measures to preserve it have found a lively response and continue to attract many people around the globe. Digital communication channels are great opportunity for people who are not indifferent to the environment to share their climate friendly habits for the sake of preserving our planet. On the eve of the 5th anniversary of the Paris Climate Agreement, which aims to keep the average temperature warming within 2° C until 2050, it is essential to realize that every measure undertaken at present time is a conscious decision that should not cause any mistakes tomorrow. Get started saving water, energy, reduce the use of plastic bags and containers, sort your household waste, and most importantly, teach your kids these eco-friendly habits. The result will not keep you waiting” - said Chargé d'Affaires of the EU Delegation to Uzbekistan Jussi Narvi.

The most active participants of the eco-challenge have been awarded with memorable souvenirs, such as eco-bags, thermo mugs, etc.

Master class for journalists of Uzbekistan

The key event of the Week has become was a master class for 20 representatives from number of major media sources in Uzbekistan, on the topic: “How to give publicity for environmental topics in an attractive way using multimedia tools”. During the training event, the participants have been familiarized with a variety of multimedia tools for more interesting media coverage of environmental topics. Such formats of eco-journalism as the ability of using visual tools “storytelling”, eco-life hacks, podcasts, cards, lists, environmental fact-checking, journalistic investigation have been considered. The journalists from online and print media from 9 regions of the country, as well as from the National TV and Radio Company of Uzbekistan have attended this master-class. All participants have received memorable certificates from the EU Delegation to Uzbekistan.

Media publications on EU projects in Uzbekistan

During the #EU4Environment Week from December 1 till December 7, the media sources of Uzbekistan regularly published articles about 10 projects in the field of the environment, funded and implemented by the European Union in Uzbekistan and Central Asia.

These projects promote close cooperation not only in the area of climate and environmental change, but in the areas of energy, water and food security as well. These initiatives serve the Sustainable Development Goals, which catalyze activities to combat climate change, as well as the Paris Agreement goals.