September, 20, 2009 environmental organization “The Voice of Nature” arranged the rock–concert “Action! Not words!” devoted to tenth anniversary of organization’s activity.
During the action “The Voice of Nature” activists informed the public about results of organization activity and explained the importance of public movement supporting.

1. Organization history

Exactly 10 years ago in 1999 Dniprodzerzhynsk activists of Greenpeace-Ukraine have decided to found self-dependent public environmental organization. Dniprodzerzhynsk group of Greenpeace–Ukraine was the one of the most efficient in Ukraine. Since 1994 Dniprodzerzhynsk activists have participated in national campaigns concerned with prohibition of building of new reactors; promoting in implementation of waste recycling system in Ukraine; reduction of water chlorination etc.
Unfortunately in 1998 Greenpeace international board had decided to close down Ukrainian Greenpeace office. However Dnipridzerzhynsk activists decided to continue environmental activity and founded self-depended organization “The Voice of Nature”.

2. 10 years of successful activity

It is not easy to conduct public environmental activity in Ukraine. First of all there are no mechanisms which allow to ordinary citizens be involving in decisions making on political and environmental issues. The majority of Ukrainian citizens can’t understand the sense and importance of environmental activity, they are not willing to give their money for support of environmental actions.



In spite of unfavorable circumstances organization “The Voice of Nature” conducted activity on protection of Yelizavetovskoye lake; contended against building of new dangerous plants in Dniprodzerzhynsk; promoted to applying of energy efficient technologies in municipal sector; participated in lobbying of Ukrainian government to prohibit building of new reactors, to reduce greenhouse gases emissions, to support renewable energy, to reduce industrial flowing to river Dniper.

Despite the fact that “The Voice of Nature” is local organization, our activity is spreading on regional and national level as well.

3. The Voice of Nature needs financial support of citizens

Effectiveness of “The Voice of Nature” activity depends on public financial support. During 10 years the main source of “The Voice of Nature” activity financing were the international beneficent funds and partner organizations. But lately ordinary people began help us with voluntary donations.
Public support helps us to act actively and to defend the environmental rights independently. Anyone wants to support “The Voice of Nature” can transfer donation to our bank account:

Intermediary Bank:
DEUTSCHE BANK AG
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
SWIFT code: DEUTDEFF acc №94701211000


Beneficiary's bank:
Privatbank, Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine, for Dniprodzerzhynsk branch
SWIFT code: PBANUA2X

Account Number: 26000051802182

4. Nonviolence – is the basic principle of The Voice of Nature activity

Nonviolent resistance to the process of environmental destruction is the main principle of activity of our organization.
The symbol of this principle is the unification of two signs – pacific sign and stop sign. This principle as well as sign was taken from Greenpeace. The essence of this principle is in using of peaceful methods of public environmental activity only.
But often people interpret this principle as indifference.
But public resistance actions, meetings, vigils, spreading the information about environmental crimes, initialization of court hearings – all these active actions are the non- violent methods of public activity.

5. Organization “The Voice of Nature” doesn’t represent the political parties’ interests.

“The Voice of Nature” never support the interests of political parties. We never participate in election campaigns. We consider any cooperation with political forces in context of mutual independence and solution of concrete environmental problem.
Unfortunately the most of currently acting Ukrainian parties is not willing to build partnership and working relationship with independent public environmental organizations.

6. Action! Not words – is the slogan of organization “The Voice of Nature”

This slogan symbolizes the active public position and concernment in public evolution.
During 10 years of our activity we always meet people hoping that life in Ukraine become better thanks to some outstanding person who could become the president, prime-minister, deputy or major. Very rarely we can meet people willing to defend public interests and involve in solving environmental problems.

We consider that positive changing is possible with active public initiative only. Ukrainian citizens have to learn public activity, to involve in public movement. We can solve environmental, economical and social problems in Ukraine under pressure of public only.

7. “The Voice of Nature” is preparing to new campaigns

10 years are behind, but we are not going to stop at achieving results. We continue to act: to press Dniprodzerzhynsk industry to obey the environmental legislation, to demand from the government to take measures to reduce industry emissions, to convince the politicians of priority of environmental issues.

But we can urge the politicians to take into account the public interests and large industrial factories to reduce their emissions only if public would support “The Voice of Nature” as well other public environmental organizations.

It is very important not only support the position and demands of public organizations, but also to apply to politicians, officials, heads of industrial factories ourselves. It is important to demand implementation of new technologies in industrial, agricultural and municipal sectors of economics; to demand development of renewable energy, forest reservation, increasing of reserved areas, and protection of wild nature, prohibition of genetically modified products, restriction of nuclear energy development.

The idea to arrange the music action is not occasional. Earlier “The Voice of Nature” arranged some rock-concerts with participation of such rock-groups as: “Kachely” “Stupeny” “Manula”.
Exactly among young people who interested in rock culture “The Voice of Nature” has founded the most active and faithful supporters.
Dniprodzerzhynsk rock groups«FAKULTET», «КLINIT”, EKLER, ZHIKI and dance school “Etual” participated in “The Voice of Nature” anniversary action “Action! Not words!”

The special guests of musical action were Moscow rock-group “Umka and Bronevick” and «BULLET BLUES BAND» from Dnipropetrovsk.
Thank to performance of such energy and talented groups the musical action “Action! Not words!” remains in memories of rock fans an environmental activists.

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