1
00:00:05,005 --> 00:00:06,798
Warsaw Climate Panel 

2
00:00:08,383 --> 00:00:12,679
In autumn of 2020 a civic panel was held in Warsaw.

3
00:00:12,679 --> 00:00:14,389
What does that actually mean?

4
00:00:14,556 --> 00:00:18,977
It’s one of the methods of including the residents  

5
00:00:18,977 --> 00:00:21,771
in the city’s decision-making 

6
00:00:21,771 --> 00:00:23,898
and listening to their voice.

7
00:00:24,232 --> 00:00:26,943
What this participants discuss? 

8
00:00:28,028 --> 00:00:29,821
The topic of our Panel was:  

9
00:00:29,821 --> 00:00:32,991
How to increase the energetic efficiency 
and the participation 

10
00:00:32,991 --> 00:00:36,870
of renewable resources in the city’s energetic balance. 

11
00:00:36,870 --> 00:00:39,164
Quite a difficult one.

12
00:00:39,164 --> 00:00:40,707
Among the issues discussed, 

13
00:00:40,707 --> 00:00:43,752
which are to become recommendations 
for changes in Warsaw,

14
00:00:43,752 --> 00:00:50,842
the most crucial ones were solar farms on public buildings, such as schools, hospitals,

15
00:00:50,842 --> 00:00:57,223
as well as electrification of vehicles, 
used in public transportation, 

16
00:00:57,265 --> 00:01:03,646
and also certain limitations in using cars and thermal insulation of buildings. 

17
00:01:03,646 --> 00:01:08,693
We generally touched upon solutions which in the nearest future may turn Warsaw

18
00:01:08,693 --> 00:01:13,573
into one on the European leaders as far as the reduction on CO2 is considered. 

19
00:01:13,740 --> 00:01:16,701
How were the panelists selected? 

20
00:01:18,036 --> 00:01:25,794
The sample was chosen in order to reflect the city in a nutshell in regards to age, gender, 

21
00:01:25,794 --> 00:01:29,839
place of inhabitance and education.

22
00:01:29,839 --> 00:01:35,720
Then the invited individuals showed readiness

23
00:01:35,720 --> 00:01:42,352
and among them we chose 90 people 
who took part in the Panel.

24
00:01:42,352 --> 00:01:52,487
We had young people, middle-aged, seniors, people with and without children, 

25
00:01:52,487 --> 00:01:56,699
who ride bicycles, cars, who work in various places…  

26
00:01:56,699 --> 00:02:02,539
so the it really was a range of situations
 that may influence 

27
00:02:02,622 --> 00:02:09,420
how they perceive the topic, discussed in the Panel.

28
00:02:09,420 --> 00:02:12,382
What motivated them to take part in the Panel?

29
00:02:13,424 --> 00:02:17,470
I feel a bond with Warsaw, I have lived here for 15 years

30
00:02:17,470 --> 00:02:20,849
and I find the possibility to participate and speak out

31
00:02:20,849 --> 00:02:28,189
on issues important for me and the city’s future 
very rewarding.

32
00:02:28,356 --> 00:02:32,902
Traditionally the panels are a live experience, but due to the pandemics  

33
00:02:32,902 --> 00:02:35,864
the Warsaw Climate Panel was held online. 

34
00:02:37,240 --> 00:02:39,325
The Panel was divided into several parts.

35
00:02:39,325 --> 00:02:43,621
The first one was educational, 
extremely important due to the fact

36
00:02:43,621 --> 00:02:48,251
that the invited panelists came 
from various backgrounds.

37
00:02:48,251 --> 00:02:52,672
Initially some of them were skeptical towards 
the issue of climate change, 

38
00:02:52,672 --> 00:02:57,510
and the meetings with experts and several sessions,

39
00:02:57,510 --> 00:03:02,515
devoted to the understanding of the problems we crucial for further actions.

40
00:03:02,515 --> 00:03:08,188
In the next stage we worked on practical recommendations for Warsaw,

41
00:03:08,188 --> 00:03:15,862
which should be taken into consideration by the city authorities while deciding on climate solutions.

42
00:03:15,862 --> 00:03:21,784
In the next step we voted on those most important, which should be prioritized.

43
00:03:21,784 --> 00:03:25,330
The recommendations referred to various areas,

44
00:03:25,330 --> 00:03:28,791
in which we can introduce new solutions, 

45
00:03:28,791 --> 00:03:34,923
more suitable for contemporary challenges 
and the climatical crisis.

46
00:03:34,923 --> 00:03:39,510
Warsaw may adjust to these challenges, react to them 

47
00:03:39,510 --> 00:03:46,100
and implement a more balanced energy 
management system. 

48
00:03:46,100 --> 00:03:49,062
How powerful were the recommendations?

49
00:03:50,104 --> 00:03:56,152
The civic panel is a tool which bases on the fact

50
00:03:56,152 --> 00:04:03,868
that prior its launching the decision 
of a city or a town mayor

51
00:04:03,868 --> 00:04:13,419
or a voit guarantees the citizens that 
regardless what they vote for 

52
00:04:13,419 --> 00:04:17,715
and whatever recommendations they present, 
they will be implemented.

53
00:04:17,715 --> 00:04:25,765
In other words: we do not know the decisions yet, but we guarantee their execution.

54
00:04:25,765 --> 00:04:28,476
How does it feel to decide on the city’s future? 

55
00:04:29,519 --> 00:04:35,608
Some may call it power, others democracy,

56
00:04:35,608 --> 00:04:42,323
when referring to direct participation in what should happen in Warsaw in the upcoming years.

57
00:04:42,323 --> 00:04:44,826
What are the main objectives of the Panel?

58
00:04:45,868 --> 00:04:48,621
An important assumption of the Panel is that 

59
00:04:48,621 --> 00:04:52,458
when the citizens are given proper expert knowledge,

60
00:04:52,458 --> 00:04:56,379
they will be able to make decisions,

61
00:04:56,379 --> 00:05:01,843
discuss even such difficult issues,

62
00:05:01,843 --> 00:05:05,805
and support the decision makers.

63
00:05:05,805 --> 00:05:13,021
The essence of the Climate Panel is forming 
a civic capital, two-way.

64
00:05:13,062 --> 00:05:18,860
On one hand, the Mayor trusts the citizens 
to choose recommendations,

65
00:05:18,860 --> 00:05:21,946
useful for the city and its inhabitants,

66
00:05:21,946 --> 00:05:26,034
on the other hand the citizens, 
who devote their free time,

67
00:05:26,034 --> 00:05:29,579
trust the president that their work will not go to waste.

68
00:05:29,579 --> 00:05:34,083
I believe that it also solves the problem 
of feeling helpless 

69
00:05:34,083 --> 00:05:36,419
against global crises and challenges,

70
00:05:36,419 --> 00:05:39,464
as here we take the first step 

71
00:05:39,464 --> 00:05:42,175
and get involved in finding solutions,

72
00:05:42,175 --> 00:05:46,137
building a dialogue on the subject,

73
00:05:46,137 --> 00:05:51,100
starting a debate not only among the panelists,

74
00:05:51,100 --> 00:05:53,728
but forming a ripple effect,

75
00:05:53,728 --> 00:05:58,232
as all of them share their thoughts and the knowledge,

76
00:05:58,232 --> 00:06:01,194
acquired during the Panel, with their network. 

77
00:06:01,194 --> 00:06:05,490
What does the civic panel have to do with democracy?

78
00:06:06,532 --> 00:06:11,746
Well, that depends what real democracy is,

79
00:06:11,746 --> 00:06:17,585
as the residents of Warsaw, owing 
to the democratic system,

80
00:06:17,585 --> 00:06:20,546
have the possibility to influence decision-making and,

81
00:06:20,546 --> 00:06:23,508
every four, or now five, years, they elect 

82
00:06:23,508 --> 00:06:27,345
their representatives for the City Council 
and their Mayor.

83
00:06:27,345 --> 00:06:29,514
But it happens only once every five years.

84
00:06:29,514 --> 00:06:32,016
The question on the real meaning 
of democracy is as such: 

85
00:06:32,016 --> 00:06:35,728
can the citizens directly influence 
 the decisions made.

86
00:06:35,728 --> 00:06:38,731
The civic panel gives them this possibility.