ADAPTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE THROUGH RESPONSIBLE PLANNING

BANJA LUKA, JULY 2 /SRNA/ - Climate change is no longer a warning, it is a reality that requires adaptation through responsible planning and the joint action of institutions and every individual, the Minister of Spatial Planning, Construction and Ecology of Republika Srpska Bojan Vipotnik told SRNA.

Vipotnik assessed that environmental protection today means protecting the health, economy, and the future of Republika Srpska. "The Ministry is continuing its activities on adapting to climate change, improving the environmental monitoring system, strengthening energy efficiency in construction, sustainably managing natural resources, and supporting projects that contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions," stated Vipotnik. He said that Republika Srpska, as well as the whole of BiH, are facing a prolonged period of exceptionally high air temperatures, which is a serious challenge for public health, water resources, agriculture, forest ecosystems, and the overall environment. "Although no single meteorological event can be attributed exclusively to climate change, it is evident that in recent years we have been recording increasingly frequent and intense heat waves, longer dry periods, and more pronounced weather extremes," Vipotnik noted. According to him, the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Construction and Ecology, in cooperation with other institutions of Srpska, local communities, and expert institutions, is working on strengthening the resilience of cities and municipalities to increasingly pronounced climate risks. "Special attention must be paid to protecting forests from fires, preserving water resources, and spatial planning in a way that will enable a better quality and safer life," Vipotnik emphasized. He urged citizens to adhere to the recommendations of health and competent authorities during the heat, and appealed to employers whose employees work outdoors to redistribute working hours and avoid outdoor work during critical parts of the day. "The fight against climate change is not just the responsibility of institutions. It is a joint task for all of us. Only through responsible planning, investments in sustainable development, and care for natural resources can we leave a healthier and safer environment for future generations," concluded Vipotnik.