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Poland.pl > Polish Nature > Values of Polish Nature > Not to spoil is cheaper than to mend
Values of Polish Nature
Not to spoil is cheaper than to mend

Since the 1990s, the process of renaturation of extremely transformed natural environment has begun in many rich European countries – Great Britain, Belgium, Holland, Denmark and Germany. Lands which used to be cultivated are turned into meadows or heaths, and rivers, restructured in 1950s and 1960s now are being shaped again in more natural way.

The scale of this enterprises is still growing, yet it is still too small to mend the transformations from the past. Societies of the Western Europe and their governments become more and more conscious, that limiting the diversity in nature and simplifying the ecosystems may lead to economic loss and worsen life quality.

Nothing can compensate some transformations but the total renaturation, which in most cases is impossible. In order to recreate a peat-bog we would have to wait millions of years for yet another glaciation, there are no artificial methods of creating peat.

Poland, compared to other regions and countries of Western Europe, is a leader in nature protection. We remain ahead of many European countries by dozens or even hundreds of years. We have all, they are trying to achieve, spending lot of time and milliards of euro.

Poland, compared to other regions and countries of Western Europe, is a leader in nature protection.
We can be saved the effort and costs, but we must not make the same mistakes Western European counties made within 1945-1990. It is enough to preserve Polish nature the way it is today. It does not mean that we have to abandon agriculture and the industry. We just have to conclude that it is not worth spoiling now, what in 10-20 years will have to be mended.

Moreover, agriculture in Poland may greatly contribute to the process of renaturation of the European environment. Our industry and transport, if develops in a way favourable for the protection of nature, may set an example for other countries all over the world.

Now we have a chance to avoid the irresponsible destruction of our own environment and think of nature as an important component of our economy (most of all agriculture) and our natural environment guaranteeing the high standard of our lives.

Tomasz Cofta