This is an annual event that for many years has united scientists, environmental protection representatives, authorities, public activists, and everyone working in the field of eco-education and environmental preservation.
The event took place in a mixed format – offline and online allowing participants to join not only from Mykolaiv but also from other regions.
The focus of this year's readings included: city improvement and greening, energy saving, climate change adaptation, processing of debris from destruction, environmental protection, issues of ecological education, implementation of environmental projects, research, public initiatives, and more.
The conference program was rich. The majority of speakers were present offline, which made it possible to organize the event more efficiently amidst power outages.
The high level of the conference was ensured by the presence of scientists from leading Mykolaiv universities, who presented reports on relevant topics.
A special event was the video address by Daria Tsymbaliuk – a scientist, Assistant Professor at the University of Chicago, and author of the book 'Ecocide in Ukraine: The Ecological Cost of Russia's War'. In her research, the author also pays attention to local stories of our southern region, documenting the real environmental consequences of the war.
The key report of the Eco-Readings was the presentation by the guest from Kyiv, Dmytro Hulevets, PhD in Technical Sciences, Head of the Kyiv separate subdivision of the National Ecological Centre of Ukraine, and Associate Professor of the National Security Department at the Interregional Academy of Personnel Management. He presented materials on the topic "Climate Change Trends in Mykolaiv over the Last Decades", prepared within the framework of the project "Strengthening Local Capacities for Climate Change Response in the Black Sea Basin", in which our city is involved. I. Archibisov, Communication Manager for the EcosySTEM project, introduced those present to the activities of the new modern Eco-STEM Center for children and youth, which started operating this year in Mykolaiv under the project "Empowering Children for Environmental Sustainability through E-STEM — ecosySTEM", implemented with the support of the EU within the framework of the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin 2021–2027 programme. The key reports also included presentations by O. Rudenko, Head of the Recycling Production Section of CE "ELU avtodorih," and O. Mitriasova, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor of the Ecology Department at Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University, regarding the issues of processing debris from destruction.
An interesting addition was the opening of the philatelic exhibition "Ecological Themes on World Postage Stamps" from the collection of Dmytro Mats. According to pan Dmytro, philately is a peculiar visual chronicle of ecological consciousness and a powerful international ambassador for nature preservation ideas. The exhibition visually demonstrated how the vast diversity of our planet and the global struggle for its preservation are reflected on a small postage stamp format.
The youngest participant of the conference was Sofiia Klius, a 9th-grade student from the Marynivskyi Lyceum "Lider" of the Domanivka Village Council, with a report on the implementation of the public project "Parent's Garden". The most senior participant was V. Podhurenko, PhD in Technical Sciences, ex-director of PrJSC "Ochakiv Wind Park," who, together with his colleague V. Terekhov, PhD in Technical Sciences, presented the report "Pioneers of Industrial Wind Energy in Mykolaiv Region".
The Readings were made possible thanks to the organizers — M.L. Kropyvnytskyi Central City Library, the META Charitable Foundation, and the Center for Environmental Information and Culture of Library Branch №2, with the support of the Department of Housing and Communal Services (HCS) of the Mykolaiv City Council and the assistance of the Department of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration, as well as numerous partners and representatives of city and regional structures that support environmental and nature protection activities at various levels.
The conference was attended by I. Nabatov, First Deputy Director of the HCS Department of the Mykolaiv City Council; I. Babii, Head of the Environmental Policy Implementation Division of the Sustainable Development Department of the HCS Department; D. Mats, Deputy Head of the Department of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Mykolaiv RMA; A. Vashchylenko, Executive Director of the Ukrainian Association of Public Libraries, Head of the Expert Public Council of the Mykolaiv City Council Executive Committee, and Coordinator of the EcosySTEM project; and I. Khorzhevska, Director of the M.L. Kropyvnytskyi Central City Library and Head of the Board of the META Charitable Foundation "From Common Vision to Joint Actions".
The Ecological Readings are traditionally complemented by a decade of eco-educational activities that take place in the city throughout late November and early December.
We sincerely thank all participants, speakers, and partners for the high level and relevance of the reports, their initiative, and active position.
Together we are shaping ecological culture, researching, and protecting our environment — for the sake of future generations.
