Poland faces climate adaptation challenges and referendum calls

Poland is facing increasing climate challenges, including severe droughts, frequent forest fires, and flash floods. Deputy Minister of Climate Urszula Zielińska noted that Poland ranks third in Europe for the number of forest fires, trailing only Spain and Portugal. She emphasized the urgent need for a new climate adaptation strategy to address rising temperatures and low river levels, which have recently forced energy companies to limit power supply due to insufficient cooling water.

In response to these environmental shifts, the trade union NSZZ Solidarność is resuming its collection of signatures for a civic referendum regarding climate policy. Bartłomiej Mickiewicz, deputy chairman of the union's National Commission, stated that the goal is to allow Polish citizens to voice their opinions on climate policies. This move follows the Senate's rejection of a presidential proposal for a referendum, which critics had previously labeled as biased or suggestive of leaving the European Union.