"Right to a Healthy Environment" in Katowice

Petición dirigida a: Marcin Krupa - Prezydent Miasta Katowice

Dear Mr. Marcin Krupa
President of the City of Katowice

Dear Mr. President,
on behalf of the residents of Katowice, I would like to request that you take appropriate measures to implement the guidelines of Recommendation CM/Rec(2022)20 adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe talking about the “Right to a Healthy Environment”, i.e. ensuring a clean, safe and sustainable environment, as well as the right of everyone to live in an environment that is not harmful to their life or well-being.
In view of the highly polluted air in the city of Katowice, caused, among other things, by the activities of coal mines, we ask the authorities to initiate the preventive projects described below.

1. Free screening of the respiratory system

-screening aimed at every resident of Katowice, with special attention to children, the elderly and people from risk groups.
Silesia faces a huge air pollution problem. According to the WHO, the annual average PM₂.₅ should be 5 µg/m³, while in 2024 in Katowice it was about 22.9 µg/m³ - several times exceeding WHO and European Union standards.
Living in a highly polluted environment, it is advisable to have preventive examinations: spirometry, cardiac ECG and chest X-ray. Currently, access to these examinations is limited - the last date we know of when free respiratory screening could be performed in Katowice was in October 2019 during the X Days of Spirometry, and in 2021 at the Silesian Medical University, but with an age restriction or people with nicotine addiction and/or at risk.
We request universal access to the aforementioned preventive examinations, i.e. spirometry, cardiac ECG and chest X-ray for every resident of Katowice by organizing annual screening tests without age restriction. In addition, we request support in conducting further treatment in case of detection of abnormalities.

1. Project for more green areas in the downtown of Katowice

-we have noticed a relatively low level of greenery in the central district of Katowice, which is particularly acute during the summer heat, when concrete buildings reflect heat, which can lead to overheating of the human body. We propose the implementation of greening projects in the center of Katowice, such as:
-community garden; a space where herbs with a strong, pleasant scent will be grown, such as lavender, peppermint, anise, and oregano. The community garden will be a space for relaxation and tranquility in the busy city center.
-rain garden; a small area that will collect rainwater from the paved surface of the market square. Examples of plants: perennials - irises; shrubs - coral viburnum; meadow plants - thistles.
Both gardens can be created in special containers to minimize interference with the main square surface.

This initiative will not only have a positive impact on the health and well-being of Katowice residents, but will also improve the visual perception of the main square in Katowice, which is characterized by a high degree of concretization.

We would also like the city to commit to continuing to plant new trees, build green bus stops, and create gardens in the Śródmieście district.

With respect,
Residents of the City of Katowice