Scientist, lecturer, professor of sociology and communication sciences. Currently in command of the data archiving and analysis center of the KTU Faculty of Social sciences, Arts and Humanities, also head of the European Sociologist association network “Aplinka ir visuomenė“ (Eng. Environment and society). Scientific activity is her priority, so she spends much time in doing research, projects, analysis, and writing.
You are interested in protection of the environment, and you often talk about climate change. What are the most difficult and the simplest aspects, related to this topic?
My main topics of interest – environmental provisions, behavior, and communication (what the people think about it, why they behave like that and what does the news media talk about it). In this wide field I personally am most interested in climate change. It is easiest to speak about the ongoing and fact-based changes of the climate. But it is quite difficult to explain, why the lifestyle transformation process is happening at a such slow pace and why do the citizens of Lithuania do not care about this topic.
How sociology helps to access these aspects, solve the problems, and provide information?
Sociology is a very rich research-wise topic, which has long traditions and many branches of research.
The sociological imagination helps to witness the issues in their wider social context. For example, that climate change does not equally affect different groups of people and is connected with poverty, migration, social unrest, and other issues. Sociology helps to explain the possible ways of required transformations because it deems the social, economic, political, cultural systems as working all together. And the sociologists can perfectly explain, why the objective climate reality cannot reach and does not affect our views – why there is the barrier between “how it is” and how people “think it is”.
What opinions of the youth, regarding climate change, do you notice?
In Lithuania, as in elsewhere, we see differences between the generations. These differences are primarily connected with the values. Having grown up in different historical conditions, people of different generations possess different systems of values. For example, the elderly in Lithuania tend to have strong materialistic values. For the younger citizens, the values of self-realization become more important. While working with the youth you noticed that they do care about the aspects of climate change justice, they feel their personal responsibility more, are more often ready to radically change their lifestyle. There are many wonderful and enthusiastic young people, which prove that change is possible either by their own personal examples or by joining various groups, movements, for example, “FridaysForFuture”, in attempt to seek bigger changes in the political field.
What measures to prevent negative effects to the environment are used by you? What kind of small, but meaningful steps to do would you recommend for others?
One of the most important steps to reduce the effect to the environment – is to reduce the consuming. It is a usual matter in my family, that a material thing is used all the way until it is fully worn out. (Sometimes even then we give such a thing a second chance) Things are not being replaced only because of the reason, that the shops have newer, more prettier versions of them. We, the family, of course recycle. It is up most unpleasant for me to see the pollutive decisions when the correct alternatives are within reach. For example, the refusal to use single-use plastic packaging. All the members in my family have refillable drinks and jugs, we use tap water, so we don’t buy plastic water bottles. To all, seeking changes, to reduce the effect to climate change, I recommend giving up at least one meat dish every week. If it is possible – to eventually cut down on meat consumption. The food industry is the second most pollutive and the biggest influencer of climate change (the use of fossil fuels being in first place). Especially – the meat and milk industry sector.
It is not necessary for you to become vegan or vegetarian, the “flexitarian” position will be enough. By cutting down meat consumption in half, your carbon footprint of nutrition will be reduced by 40 percent.
Hiking with the family – is one of your hobbies. How did you discover it and how does it attract you?
Hikes with the family or friends – are one of the most exciting things. We enjoy walking both pre-built, both self-discovered new pathways in Lithuania and everywhere we manage to travel to. The slowly changing scenic views, the possibility to stop, get lost, enjoy, to have a wonderful sight, smell – are a far better option than the hotels of warm countries with the “all inclusive” plans. The only thing which you really require in a hike of longer duration – a virtual map. And water, too. Nevertheless – no rules or mascots. There is this ease of heart, which is there when you leave for a hike. One of the most memorable hikes of daytime – was in the Czech Republic while travelling across the Śnieżka mountain. The astonishing views of hillsides, lakes, mountains, meadows and stray clouds, the smell of thorny forests.
Which spot would you recommend discovering in Lithuania?
I would suggest discovering the Suvalkija region – especially the southern part of it. Even though other regions of Lithuania have far more reserves, parks and built pedestrian pathways, Suvalkija has its unique beauty and a very specific cultural heritage. Not only filled with forests, but with many wonderful open spaces, too. I recommend taking a stroll on gravel roads, arable plains, and local farmhouses (there are lots of them here), the Paežeriai restored manor house, take a dip in Paežeriai lake, travel south and fall in love with the beautiful hills, pass through Alvita, Bartinkai, Gražiškiai, Pajavonys, the homeland of Basanavičius, at last take a swim in Vištytis lake. If you have Poland in your plans – search for small roads, in with, while crossing the border, you will see very scenic areas and be able to recognize place names of Lithuanian origin. You can travel to the Lithuanian-Polish-Russian triple wall – it is thought that it is the oldest and longest-unchanged land border in Europe.
What inspires you for new work and projects?
Firstly, you need a kick-off point and basis for such purpose – that is my family. Without them no movement would have meaning. And movement gains speed from values. I grew up in difficult times of change, I was present between two worlds, and I wished to reach the level of quality and education, which the countries in western or northern Europe had. At first it really motivated to reach for more, do more, take the responsibility and stay in Lithuania, ignoring the opportunities that came by. Now I am inspired to do new projects and work by my colleagues and curiosity. Discussions create new ideas, and it is always interesting for me to transform an idea into a result.
