E D I T O R I A L

  The natural world, or environment, is not particularly welcome to rapid change. Its systems and cycles had evolved ever so slowly, over millions of years, before falling victim to the rapid changes which came along with contemporary unsustainable human development worldwide, the Central and Eastern European region being no exception.

  But we all know that.

  We also know that there are many of us within the region who are trying to solve the serious mistakes made in the recent past while aiming to ensure that those mistakes do not happen again.

  We're not exactly sure how, but we are trying.

  While the living environment may be adverse to rapid change, however, we should not be, insofar as accepting changes which help serve environmental progress in the region. It is with this attitude that I enter the Regional Environmental Center as its new editor, replacing Wendy Muzzy who in her day also fostered progressive changes to The Bulletin.

  The Bulletin is a living document, created by people for the purpose of informing readers about how the REC and other organizations are working to save the living environment. As a living document, it will change and adapt where required, for the sole purpose of helping the environment revert to its original grace and harmony.

  An old adage familiar to almost every culture is that one cannot "turn back the block". For countries in the Central and Eastern European region, undergoing mass transformations within the transition process and along the road of accession to the European Union, the adage sounds especially true. But with respect to the environment, all of the new organizations, processes and conferences created for the environment are indeed meant to turn back the clock and restore it to something resembling what it once was.

  A final word - any living entity requires inputs and outputs to survive. Keeping that in mind, I strongly encourage you to express your opinions and suggestions for the long road ahead.

Paul Csagoly  
Editor of the Bulletin