I admit that the participation of thousands of young people in dozens of Polish cities, who are expressing their concern about climate change is a very important voice in public debate. I can assure you that I hear your voices and that they are very important for me. I am also glad to see you involved in the protection of the environment and climate. In today’s landscape, with quickly developing industry, an approach based on sustainable development and taking care of our climate is key for the future of our planet.

During the COP24 climate summit in Katowice, we often pointed out that it is the young generation and its attitude that points us towards the goals and objectives on which we should focus our efforts, opening the eyes of the entire society to the issues connected with climate change. This is why during the COP24 climate summit in Katowice, we took appropriate steps to protect the planet from harmful effects of global warming.

You can count on the support of this government and the Ministry of Environment in the pursuit of a better tomorrow and better future for our planet. To date, we have allocated billions for improvement of air quality. We are running educational campaigns, we opened new ways to obtain financial subsidies for the replacement of old furnaces and for thermal modernisation of buildings under the Clean Air programme. We are also focusing on renewable energy sources in single family homes, thanks to subsidies offered by “My Electricity” programme. These are only some instruments provided under an extensive number of programmes, offered by the government in this respect. However, this does not mean the end of our efforts to overcome the so-called low emissions – the main reason of smog.

At the same time, I am pleased to see that I am witnessing the formation of a new generation of committed people who want to fight for a better future for our planet.

I hope that your participation is the beginning of further good changes in public awareness and another step on the path towards a better tomorrow – I can assure you that we are not going to abandon it. I hope that our joint action, as well as your strong and loud voice against climate change will result in a reduction in these negative effects, which to some extent are – unfortunately – our fault as humanity. I assure you that you have an ally in me and that together we can do even more to protect the environment and climate.

Once again, I would like to thank you, Young Poles, for sending us this important message.

With kindest regards,

Henryk Kowalczyk