OLYMPIC COMMITTEE OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA IN SPECIAL TRAINING FOR CLIMATE CHANGES IN BRUSSELS

We are increasingly witnessing the impact of the climate crisis on planet earth, but are we aware of this fact - that is another question.

A few facts: According to scientists, keeping global warming below 1.5°C is the best way to save the planet from the dangerous effects of climate change. The world, however, is currently not on track to achieve that goal as global temperatures are on the rise.

According to the latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), global warming is causing increased and in some cases irreversible changes in precipitation patterns, oceans, and winds in all regions of the world. In the EU and around the world, extreme weather conditions such as heat waves, floods, forest fires, etc. are becoming more frequent and intense. All of this has and will have, great consequences for sports, sports competitions, and life in general.

Accordingly, in Brussels in the past week from 21.2. until 24.2.2023, held a "Kick-off meeting" and training as part of the "OCEAN" project financed by the EU Commission. The Olympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina is part of this big project together with 18 other NOCs (National Olympic Committees) from Europe, with partners the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Association of Olympic Committees (ANOC), with partners the "OKO" Institute from Germany, the Institute for applied ecology. The coordinator of the project is the EOC (European Olympic Committee).

The importance and seriousness of the topic was confirmed by the leaders present, the President of the EOC, Spyros Capralos who spoke about strategic steps regarding climate change, Laurence Graff, representative of the EU Commission who explained why it is important to act "NOW", representatives of the IOC, Olympic Solidarity, ANOC, and the environmental institute from Germany, who explained the further consequences of climate change on humanity.

Precisely because of the seriousness of the topic, the "OCEAN" project was created with the intention of trying to raise awareness of the importance of the topic through sport, as an important "tool", and to take strategic steps on a national basis for its action. Man's influence on the worsening of climate change is unquestionable, and in addition to the meeting in Brussels, the beginning of training for "Climate change officers" was held in front of the EU NOCs.

We are especially happy to be a part of the big Olympic sports family for solving such an important issue through the "OCEAN" project, which in the coming years will work to combat the human impact on the climate change crisis in the world.