АУТОР / AUTHOR(S): Katarina Polajnar Horvat 
, Aleš Smrekar
DOI: 10.46793/CSGE5.27KPH
САЖЕТАК / ABSTRACT:
The development of environmental thought in Slovenia has evolved significantly over the past century, shaped by key milestones and socio-political shifts. This paper examines this progression, from early nature conservation efforts to contemporary environmental policies, within global and European contexts. Within the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, the initial phase began in 1920 with the nature protection program by the Museum Society, which was based in Ljubljana, a pioneering document on an international level. The 1960s were critical, with growing public awareness in the Western world influencing Slovenian environmental thought within the context of socialist Yugoslavia, spurred by works like Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring (1962) and Garrett Hardin’s The Tragedy of the Commons (1968). In the early 1970s, environmental concerns gained prominence due to deteriorating conditions and global movements. During the socialist period, environmental issues were often subordinated to rapid industrialization. However, the 1980s saw increased environmental activism in Slovenia, addressing pollution from industrial activities such as the Krupa River contamination and waste disposal of the uranium mine at Žirovski vrh. This era also saw the establishment of the Greens of Slovenia, which gained 8.8% of the vote in the 1990 elections, marking a strong green political presence. A significant shift occurred following Slovenia’s independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, with the adoption of the Environmental Protection Act in 1993, incorporating principles of sustainability and preventive action. Slovenia’s accession to the European Union in 2004 further solidified its environmental framework, aligning national policies with stringent EU standards and promoting sustainable development and public participation in governance. The 2008 economic crisis posed additional challenges, temporarily sidelining environmental issues as economic concerns took precedence. However, it also underscored the need for sustainable economic models, integrating environmental considerations into recovery efforts. The decade from 2010 to 2020 saw further integration of environmental policies, emphasizing renewable energy and sustainable practices. Public engagement and environmental education became more prominent. The European Green Deal, launched in 2019, plays a crucial role in Slovenia’s environmental strategy, aiming to make Europe climate-neutral by 2050. Slovenia has embraced this initiative, focusing on green technologies and sustainable practices, and integrating these principles into national policies.
КЉУЧНЕ РЕЧИ / KEYWORDS:
environmental thought; environmental awareness and behavior; nature protection; pollution; sustainability