The Ukrainian Jersey City, a civic organization of the Ukrainian diaspora (New Jersey) and the leading public research university Pennsylvania State University will host the fourth annual event as part of the “Eco Series” on April 26. Namely, an online discussion and poetry reading “Nature in Danger – Voices from the Frontlines of Ecocide”, dedicated to the environmental crisis in Ukraine caused by the war. Participants will talk about the destruction of protected areas, the death of animals, the destruction of ecosystems and ways to restore the environment.
This is reported in the announcement of the Ukrainian Jersey City.
In particular, leading organizations working to protect nature and animals in Ukraine will join the webinar. Among them are UAnimals, Truth Hounds, Forest Release and Ecofortress.
“The war has already destroyed 20% of Ukraine’s protected areas, ecological damage exceeds 6 trillion hryvnias, and more than 10 million animals have died – but these people continue to fight for life and recovery,” the announcement states.
Separately, the organizers called on everyone to реєструватися register for the online event and support the initiative with donations.
“Let’s unite for the sake of Ukraine’s nature. Every donation saves lives – human, animal and wild,” the organizers summarize.
The Nature in Danger project was launched in September 2024 as a long-term initiative aimed at highlighting the devastating environmental consequences of the war in Ukraine. The project aims to raise awareness about the large-scale destruction of ecosystems and support organizations engaged in their restoration. Such as the global food crisis and rising prices due to disruption of agricultural production; demining of forests, fields and water bodies (minefields cover about 30% of Ukraine); the demolition of the Kakhovka Dam, which caused catastrophic loss of habitats, flooding and chemical pollution of the Black Sea; forest destruction and fires due to shelling and hostilities, etc.
Background
UAnimals is a Ukrainian non-profit animal protection organization founded to promote an ethical attitude towards animals and the development of humanistic values. It became known as one of the leading voices for animal rights in Ukraine, especially during the full-scale Russian invasion, when it coordinated the rescue of animals from combat zones. UAnimals has rescued over 9,000 animals from combat zones, supports shelters and is leading the #StopEcocideUkraine campaign to expose environmental crimes of war.
Truth Hounds is a Ukrainian human rights organization that documents and investigates war crimes and other serious human rights violations, primarily in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian war. The organization has been operating since 2014 and has become one of the key players in documenting international crimes for national and international courts. In particular, Truth Hounds documents environmental destruction and works to bring perpetrators to justice through environmental and human rights investigations.
Forest Release is an environmental initiative focused on restoring forests and preserving biodiversity through modern technologies and partnership programs. It seeks to reduce the consequences of deforestation and support a sustainable climate balance on a global level. The organization uses drones to sow seeds, artificial intelligence to estimate carbon stocks, and blockchain systems for transparent reporting. Such technologies make it possible to scale up forest restoration and ensure responsible use of resources.
Ecofortress is a non-governmental environmental organization focused on combating climate change, preserving biodiversity, and sustainable use of natural resources. It is known for its projects in ecosystem restoration, energy efficiency, and supporting local communities in the transition to a green economy. They educate communities and help restore environmental sustainability throughout Ukraine.
Photo: VM collage
Author: Inna Mikhno