Hello everyone! This is my second introductory article about my hometown, Saratov. You can check out the first one where I listed a number of ecological problems of my region here: https://tunza.eco-generation.org/ambassadorReportView.jsp?viewID=49379&searchType=title&searchName=Saratov&pageNumber=1

Anyway, there will always be problems, we cannot make all the damage we've done go away. As long as we keep relying on the planet's resources we will influence the ecology and keep making the situation worse. But I believe that together we can lower the damage and help our planet prosper. 

As an activist, I'm trying to attract more people to our cause, help them see the problems we, as humanity, and our home are facing. More often than not people ask me: "But what can I do?" and I understand their scepticism, I really do. How can one person save the whole planet? However, we are never alone. There are always people with the same opinions, passions, interests who are ready to support us. And once these people unite, they can really make a difference, however small it may be.

Today I want to honour the ecological organisations of my region. People who are working, sometimes for free, on solving this problem because they care and because they know that their actions matter.

The first and the most important one is Green Bull. This is a volunteer organisation which focuses solely on ecology. Every month they arrange an event where they collect recyclables. Any citizen of any age can bring plastic, glass, metal and paper that will later be recycled. Volunteers spend up to 6 hours outside in rain, snow, wind or scorching sun helping people help the planet. More and more people are coming to these events which shows the increase of ecologically conscious people in Saratov. 

The next organisation is a fairly new one. It is commercial but I think that they impact our society in a good way, making eco-friendly goods more accessible to people. It is a zero waste shop called Pureland. They sell cosmetics, food, washing liquids, accessories, the list of products is getting bigger and bigger every month. It is situated in the city centre and also contributes to the growth of eco-friendly people.

Finally, I cannot not mention my student eco-club Green Gang. Our organisation is also rather new but we have achieved a lot already. We read lectures, throw swap parties, share useful information with our students and with children from nearby schools. Thanks to these events many students now recycle and know much more about environmental problems.

This article was inspired by the previous month's thematic report about people who have endeavoured to better the environment. After my last report about "problematic Saratov" I wanted to mention people who work to solve these problems because I am immensely grateful and proud to have them all in my life.