The Managing Authority of the Environment Program 2021-2027 visited the 3B grade students at 31st Secondary School of Foreign Languages and Management "Ivan Vazov" in Sofia, with their teacher Ms. Anelia Valcheva. During the "Man and Nature" class, dedicated to air, the children learned about the physical properties of air, the main pollutants, and their sources, as well as possible solutions. The lesson was held under the motto “The Battle for Cleaner Air”.

All children actively participated, shared their stories as witnesses of activities polluting the air through waste burning and also proposed original solutions for improving air quality. The focus of the presentation was the harm on human health caused by fine dust particles, which damage not only the respiratory system, but also increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

The students learned about the National Air Quality Monitoring System and saw photos of stationary and mobile measuring stations, as well as the scientific equipment used. The internet-based Air Quality Index of the European Environment Agency, which shows the level of pollution in cities in Bulgaria and across Europe in real time, drew great interest.

With the help of the Hourly Air Quality Forecast in Europe, which is based on data from satellites of the European Copernicus program and information from ground stations, the children were informed about the expected air quality in Bulgaria in the coming days.

The contribution of the Environment Program 2021-2027 to cleaner air was presented - the funded measures for replacing wood or coal-fired heating appliances with ecological alternatives and greening 21 municipalities in which an excessive level of fine dust particles had been registered. The children demonstrated high interest and commitment to the different types of pollution. Everyone united around the belief that clean air and clean nature are a common responsibility, which includes the actions of each one of us.