Did you know that in the 1960s, environmental pollution in the USA was so severe that you could smell it and even feel it with your hands? And did you know that a river in Ohio once caught fire due to pollution?

If so, then you might also know which Lithuanian president is considered a hero in the USA for saving the world’s second-largest source of drinking water from pollution.

In the 1960s, swimming in American rivers and lakes was not recommended, cities were suffocated by smog, and some lakes were considered dead. Valdas Adamkus, an environmental activist who appeared on the front pages of American newspapers and was honored with the highest awards by the U.S. president, dedicated most of his life to solving environmental problems that still concern the world today.

Before becoming the president of Lithuania, Valdas Adamkus was not only the second Lithuanian to break through and shine in American political life but also the coordinator of a lake-cleaning program that cost the U.S. government over a billion dollars. U.S. President Ronald Reagan personally awarded him the Presidential Distinguished Executive Award.

During the lesson, ecology and environmental protection will be discussed from the perspective of past and future leaders. Students and teachers will learn about the importance and development of environmental protection in the USA from the 1960s to the present day. We will also talk about the early career of Valdas Adamkus as an environmentalist and his first visits to Lithuania, which faced significant environmental challenges in the 1980s.

The educational session will encourage discussions about environmental responsibility, introduce fascinating ecological projects, and reveal intriguing historical details. The lesson will touch on aspects of history, biology, and ethics.

Duration: Up to 1 hour
Platform: Zoom
Language: Lithuanian or English

For more information, please contact us via email: arunas.antanaitis@vdu.lt or by phone: +370 687 72805.

This educational program is prepared by the team of the President Valdas Adamkus Library-Museum.