Maria Sergeyeva, a prominent member of the pro-government Moladaya Gvardia nationalist youth movement, is better known for defending the local car industry than the local environment. Recently, however, she has come out publicly against City Hall plans to build a series of new waste incinerators around Moscow. Liza Chapkovsky interviews Sergeyeva to delve deeper into whether the feminine firebrand is turning a new leaf.
Q: Does the young political organization, Molodaya Gvardia, concern itself with issues regarding city upkeep? Issues like ecology or construction?
A: In summer, Molodaya Gvardia opened an ecology department. Although I am not directly involved with it, one of its main aims is to become familiar with ecological problems in various regions of Russia.
Q: Have you yourself ever thought about the issues regarding waste management in Moscow?
A: Before I found out a rubbish burning plant was going to be built right underneath my window, I did not think about ecological issues at all. I understood that Moscow has a large population, many cars, and therefore a lot of pollution, but the problem, just like for most Russians, did not hit close to home. After it sunk in that I was going to have to breath in filthy air, I began reading a lot about the issue.
Q: How do you propose to get rid of these tons of different types of trash? Dumps or incinerators?
A: Neither. I am for recycling. The problem is that right now people are blaming Mayor Yury Luzhkov. I don't think it's the mayor's problem. The fault is in the hands of the people who gave him the incompetent plans to build these incinerators. Dumps don't solve the problem because what are you going to do with the trash after its there, and like I said, there is no room. The problem with incinerators is that after burning 10 tonnes of waste, 3 tonnes of highly toxic waste is released into the air. Highly toxic waste has a very high level of dioxins. I heard from the officials that this toxic waste will be mixed into the roads. If there is rain all of it going to eventually be released into the ground. The best way to solve this problem is supporting a strict recycling program through advertising.
Q: City Hall's plans to building trash burning plants will raise concerns among the residents of those neighborhoods in which the plants will be built. Whose side will Molodaya Gvardia take if protests arise? Will you support city authorities, or will you stand on the side of the people?
A: I won't just support the protests of the people, but I will myself be part of the protest. I am not ready to breathe in these dioxins, and I don't plan on just leaving my neighbourhood. My mother grew up in this neighbourhood, and I plan on living here as well. This neighbourhood is my home. For that matter, millions of Muscovites consider these neighbourhoods their homes. Not protesting against these incinerators is a crime against humanity.
Q: Your organization will also support the people?
A: First of all we will always be on the side of the people. But I would like to reiterate that Luzhkov, is just as much a citizen as I am. Molodaya Gvardia, however, doesn't think he is at fault, we just think he received very faulty expertise. It is understood that the mayor has many problems to deal with in the city. The people who gave him the plans for the incinerators are at fault. Luzhkov does not have the capability to single handedly to solve this problem. Since Moscow is surrounded by the Moscow Ring Road he can't build these trash-burning factories anywhere else, so we need the help of [Presidient] Dmitry Medvedev to unite all governors of all regions, so that we can solve this problem together. ■
