The environmental awareness of the people of Tallinn has increased
The mayor of Tallinn, Mihhail Kõlvart, presented the results of the latest satisfaction survey of Tallinn residents at today’s city government press conference, which concerned the residents’ attitude towards the green capital.
Mayor Kõlvart positively highlighted the fact that Tallinn’s people’s awareness of environmental problems has increased: according to 83% of respondents, environmental problems will significantly affect their daily life in the near future. The majority of Tallinn residents, or 88%, also see opportunities to contribute to the prevention and solution of environmental problems and agree that they must also contribute to prevent and solve environmental problems (89%).
“One of our goals in the year of the European Green Capital is to increase the awareness of the people of Tallinn and the entire population of Estonia about climate change. Understanding that the environment depends on them and the fight against climate change shows that our people understand how a green future depends on every person,” said Kõlvart.
Respondents were also asked what benefits the European Green Capital title could bring for Tallinn. The expectation for cleaner, greener and more beautiful surroundings and a healthier living environment (31% of respondents) was mentioned most often. Almost a tenth (11%) of the respondents named the development of more environmentally friendly transport as an expectation. These expectations are well met by the “Green Footprint” project, within the framework of which Tallinn improves the quality of urban space and greenery in more than 70 locations by planting new trees, laying flowerbeds and, among other things, carrying out rapid, experimental so-called tactical urbanism interventions, which reconceptualize the urban space and offer people new activities. “The people of Tallinn will definitely see the changes already this year,” promised Kõlvart.
72% of the residents of the capital, who know about Tallinn’s green capital title, are interested in participating in or contributing to the activities of the green capital themselves, with the greatest interest being in participation in the work (37%). To this end, the green capital team has put together a biodiversity action day program in cooperation with Tallinn’s districts and the Environment and Utilities Board. We are the first to invite people to participate in bird nest box maintenance days on March 22 in Nõmme and March 25 in Kristiine.
The satisfaction survey conducted by Turu-uuringute AS in January and February also dealt with the topics of the environment, greening, climate change and extreme weather conditions.