Tag Archives: water retention

“Stop Drought! Start Retention!” Is Poland at Risk of Desertification? Experts Will Respond in Gdańsk

ul. Chmielna w Warszawie - Zielono-błękitna infrastruktura w mieście jako sposób przeciwdziałania pustynnieniu i skutkom suszy

Poland has entered another growing season with a water deficit. Dry, cracked soil and drying rivers are no longer regional anomalies, but a reality across large swaths of the country. The answer to these problems lies in the actions outlined in the currently updated Drought Effects Counteracting Plan. On June 17th – during the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought – a conference will be held in Gdańsk under the slogan “Stop Drought! Start Retention! – Time to Act!”. Experts and practitioners will discuss real and necessary solutions.

Summary of the Gdańsk conference “Stop Drought! Start Retention! – time for action!”

Panel dyskusyjny podczas konferencji Stop Suszy! Start Retencji! w Gdańsku poświęconej przeciwdziałaniu skutkom suszy i retencji w miastach

Experts, local government officials, and scientists analyzed mechanisms for combating drought during the conference “Stop Drought! Start Retention! – Time to Action!” held on June 17 in Gdańsk. The discussion focused on the proposed actions in the draft update of the Drought Effects Counteracting Plan (uDECP) for urban areas. Drawing on the experiences of Gdańsk, Łódź, and Poznań, the need for systemic legislative and educational changes was emphasized, as well as the importance of wetland protection and the role of comprehensive blue-green solutions in cities.

“Stop Drought! Start Retention!” Talks about fighting drought in the city, in Gdańsk

Eksperci podczas konferencji Stop Suszy! Start Retencji! w Gdańsku rozmawiają o przeciwdziałaniu skutkom suszy w miastach i zwiększaniu retencji.

Over 450 experts and practitioners are debating in Gdańsk how to combat drought in the city. The meeting is taking place on the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought. The choice of Tricity is not accidental – Gdańsk and Sopot are leaders in implementing blue-green infrastructure. The main topic of the conference “Stop Drought! Start Retention! – time for action!”, organized by Polish Waters, is the solutions proposed in the draft update of the Drought Effects Counteracting Plan.

What Do Children Know about Drought? A Report from a School Meeting

Ambasador projektu Stop suszy! Start retencji! Mateusz Banasiuk prowadzi spotkanie edukacyjne z uczniami o suszy i retencji w szkole

What does environmental education of students look like in practice? What do children know about drought and ways to save water? We visited one of Warsaw’s elementary schools to find out. We invite you to read the article and watch the video on our YouTube channel, which details our meeting at the Primary School with Integrated Departments No. 41 named after the Home Army Soldiers “Krybar” in Warsaw.

Earth Day 2026: Our Power, Our Planet

Ręce trzymające kulę ziemską jako symbol odpowiedzialności za planetę i ochrony zasobów wodnych w kontekście suszy

April 22nd marks International Earth Day. It’s a day that annually prompts reflection on the condition of the natural environment. This year’s theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” resonates particularly strongly with one of today’s most serious challenges: the growing problem of drought and dwindling water resources. Access to water is no longer a given, and water itself is becoming a strategic asset whose availability requires conscious management. The theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” reminds us that we are all responsible for our planet and that ordinary, everyday actions can counteract climate change, including the effects of drought.

What Do Experts Say about Drought?

Forest wetlands and water in the landscape as an example of water retention in the context of drought

Drought is one of the most serious environmental challenges we currently face in Poland and worldwide. Experts in hydrology, climatology, agriculture, and water management agree – the problem is growing and it is long-term. Increasingly frequent and prolonged periods without rainfall, rising temperatures, and climate change are leading to lower groundwater levels, drying up of rivers and lakes, and deteriorating conditions for agriculture and ecosystems.

The Winter Olympics as a Platform to Combat Drought and Climate Change

Powiewająca flaga Milano Cortina 2026 z logo olimpijskim – ilustracja artykułu o roli Zimowych Igrzysk Olimpijskich w walce z suszą i zmianą klimatu.

The Winter Olympics celebrate the beauty of winter. Snow- and ice-covered surfaces allow us to enjoy many sports that are otherwise unavailable in summer, with its high temperatures. Unfortunately, these landscapes are most vulnerable to the dramatic effects of climate change. For years, many winter sports have struggled with a lack of snow, and it has become commonplace to see snow lying only on the ski slope or ski jump, while the surrounding area lacks snow. Rising temperatures, melting glaciers, irregular snowfall, and increasing water shortages are rapidly transforming ecosystems worldwide. In this context, the Winter Olympics can no longer be viewed solely as a sporting event; they are becoming an important arena for environmental responsibility and climate action.

World Wetlands Day 2026 – Wetlands as the Foundation for Water Security

Grafika promująca Światowy Dzień Mokradeł z hasłem „Mokradła: uświęcone, podtrzymujące życie, ponadczasowe dziedzictwo wymagające ochrony”, otoczonym ilustracjami dłoni symbolizującymi opiekę nad przyrodą.

Traditionally, World Wetlands Day is celebrated worldwide on February 2nd. This international holiday was established to highlight the crucial role of wetlands in the functioning of ecosystems and the protection of water resources. This date commemorates the signing in 1971 of the Ramsar Convention – one of the oldest global environmental agreements aimed at protecting wetlands of international importance.

World Soil Day: Our Ally In the Fight Against Drought

Ręce przesypujące suchą, sypką glebę na polu

Soil plays an invaluable role in nature. It provides space for plants to grow, stores water, filters pollutants, and supports countless biological processes. It is the foundation of our food security, the key to a stable water cycle, and a natural barrier protecting ecosystems from degradation. However, we don’t always remember this.

Autumn Drought: Easy Ways to Improve Retention

Krople wody na gałązce po deszczu

We usually associate drought with summer – with parched lawns, wilting plants, and the need for frequent watering. However, we must remember that the problem of soil water deficiency affects all seasons. Although autumn is often perceived as a time of frequent rains and a respite from gardening, it is actually a crucial time to prepare the garden and farm for the coming season. Now is the time to take steps to better retain water, store it, and improve plant health in the coming months.

Skip to content