The ecological disaster on the Bóbr River, the campaign against urban beehives, surprising theories about wind and timber—these are just some of the achievements of the current leadership of the Ministry of Climate and Environment. In the latest issue of the weekly Gazeta Polska, Jacek Liziniewicz examines what he describes as the intellectual contribution of Paulina Hennig-Kloska, Urszula Zielińska, and their associates to the protection of Poland’s natural environment. According to the author, their day-to-day actions and public statements would have impressed even the creators of Monty Python’s Flying Circus.
The article begins with Poland’s rivers. Although the Oder River had long been one of Urszula Zielińska’s main concerns, the ministry now appears to be overlooking the ecological disaster unfolding on the Bóbr River.
Liziniewicz recalls what he describes as contradictory statements by the deputy minister, who argued that inland shipping would “splash away” water needed by fish. As she put it:
“The biggest problem with the Oder is that there isn’t enough water there for fish to live. Not to mention heavily loaded vessels—that’s an aberration.”
The ministry’s next target became… bees. A strategy draft that was later hastily withdrawn stated that keeping honey bees poses a threat and that urban apiaries should be eliminated.
The ministry’s leadership has taken what the article describes as an equally unconventional approach to the economy. After retail sales declined, Minister Paulina Hennig-Kloska sought to reassure the public by saying:
“From what I’ve seen, it’s mainly not essential goods that are declining, but rather things we can sometimes do without. From the climate’s point of view, it’s actually good if we buy fewer textiles, because producing them generates emissions.”
The Gazeta Polska article also discusses what it calls the ministry’s “third year of fighting the forests.” According to the article, the ministry has targeted pellet stove users, while responsibility for developing the national forest strategy has been entrusted to a person who previously worked as a Pilates instructor.
The article concludes with what it describes as the ministry’s most remarkable remarks—this time about wind. Paulina Hennig-Kloska argued:
“Because in summer, when we have a lot of sunshine in Poland, there’s less wind, while in winter, when we have less sunshine, the wind blows, and we need that balance in the country’s energy mix throughout all 12 months.”
Deputy Minister Urszula Zielińska added:
“Generally speaking, there’s more wind at night and in winter. There’s no sun at night, and there’s less of it in winter.”