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What does climate leadership look like in the heart of Poland’s coal country?
For Patryk Bialas, it looks like refusing to give up after the first “no.” His climate work began with a local clean air campaign in Katowice, Poland. The first effort failed. But instead of walking away, Patryk and other advocates doubled down – educating their neighbors, building public support, and ultimately helping win stronger regional clean-air protections.
Then his role changed.
@_patryk.bialas_ became a Climate Reality Leader, was elected to the Katowice City Council, and eventually became chair of its climate and environment commission – giving him a new way to turn advocacy into policy.
But his Climate Reality story didn’t stop with his own training. Patryk has continued showing up for this community, including serving as a mentor to other Climate Reality Leaders and sharing the experience, tools, and lessons he’s picked up along the way.
In Katowice, he’s helped his city join the Powering Past Coal Alliance, adopt a low-emission zone, and lay the groundwork for more renewable energy and greener buildings. He’s also written a book sharing the stories of people living through Upper Silesia’s just transition – putting the people, communities, and local economies behind that transformation at the center of the conversation.
His philosophy? Start small. Keep going. And trust that today’s step can become tomorrow’s transformation.
Meet Patryk and read his full story at the link in our bio!
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#MeetingtheMoment is our 20th anniversary spotlight series celebrating 20 Climate Reality Leaders around the world and the many ways they’re turning knowledge into action.
