Environmental Dialogues is an event series organised as part of the Defining Climate Realism project. Through the series, Baltijos Lizdas and the Institute of European Right bring together local communities, experts and decision-makers to discuss specific environmental challenges facing Lithuania’s regions and explore practical solutions.
The first event in the series took place in Šilutė, where the discussion focused on how to balance the protection of the region’s unique natural environment with opportunities for local businesses and tourism to grow.
Moving away from restrictions
“Lithuania faces a systemic problem – we have a small coastal area and a strong desire to protect it. In trying to do so, we end up protecting everything in every possible way – preventing the development of cycling paths in coastal areas, as well as kindergartens and hotels. Protection is necessary, but we need to agree on a shared vision and start easing some of these restrictions,” says Member of Parliament Audrius Petrošius.
Petrošius points to Neringa as an example, arguing that if restrictions prevent the construction of hotels, attention should be directed towards other opportunities, such as improving marina infrastructure.
“During the pandemic, the number of recreational boats in Lithuania doubled, which shows that we are moving closer to becoming a maritime nation. Improving marina infrastructure could also help address the shortage of hotels. We need to create mechanisms that work and move away from relying on restrictions,” says Petrošius.
Šilutė District Municipal Council member Zigmantas Merliūnas believes that the regulatory environment in the region is particularly restrictive.
“We cannot do anything along the Curonian Lagoon shoreline in Šilutė District because it is a protected nature reserve. Yet in Klaipėda District – in Svencelė and Dreverna – the situation is completely different, and tourism is thriving. We do not have those opportunities; instead, we face a long list of restrictions and limitations. We therefore need to find creative ways to generate economic value from this area,” says Merliūnas.
Calls to review financial measures
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament Tomas Tomilinas calls for a review of the approach to protected areas, while emphasising that the region is also dealing with the consequences of much broader environmental pressures.
“The poor ecological condition of the Curonian Lagoon is linked to pollution throughout the entire Nemunas River basin – from Belarus to central Lithuania. A significant share of this pollution originates in agricultural areas, while in Šilutė we see the consequences of pollution generated across the whole basin. If this region is suffering the greatest impact, it should also receive the greatest investment and support,” says Tomilinas.
According to him, addressing these problems requires more substantial measures: “We can talk extensively about solutions, but unless pollution flows are reduced, proper monitoring is introduced and stricter limits on pesticide use are implemented, we will still be discussing the same problems ten years from now.”
Participants in the discussion and representatives of local communities agreed that despite the extensive regulation of protected areas, the region needs to strengthen its local tourism sector and develop its own distinctive identity.
Seeking practical environmental solutions
The event is part of a project organised by Baltijos Lizdas together with the Institute of European Right, aimed at encouraging dialogue on practical approaches to environmental protection across Lithuania.
“Our aim is to bring together people from different fields – from local communities to politicians and experts – not only to express their perspectives, but to work together in search of solutions that can realistically be implemented. We want these discussions to go beyond one-off conversations and become a starting point for concrete action. The insights and proposals developed during the discussions will be consolidated and presented to decision-makers,” says Teresė Škutaitė, Director of Baltijos Lizdas.
The Environmental Dialogues event series is taking place across Lithuania, bringing together local communities, experts and decision-makers to discuss specific challenges facing different regions of the country.
“Environmental issues are among the most fundamental and pressing questions in Western politics today. Yet in Lithuania, serious and sustained discussion of these issues remains limited. There is a paradox here – we take pride in our natural and cultural heritage, but we do not discuss it seriously enough from political, analytical or intellectual perspectives. We started in Šilutė, and I am very much looking forward to the conversations that will follow across Lithuania – from Kėdainiai and Palanga to Anykščiai,” says Teodoras Žukas, Director of the Institute of European Right.
