The "Between the Poles" project was a grass-roots youth initiative that defined the goal of the exchange, i.e. carrying out environmental protection activities by promoting the attitude of an aware and responsible citizen for the natural environment. Young activists developed the thematic scope of lectures, discussion panels, and prepared educational presentations. In addition, they indicated experts from various fields of science with whom they wanted to meet because their professions are directly related to environmental pollution and climate change, including: a pulmonologist, a polar explorer, a geologist, a chemist and a conservator of monuments. The ecological crisis is caused mainly by the rapid development of civilization, population growth and rising living standards, increase in consumption and industrial development. Scientists cite excessive consumerism as one of the causes of the predicted climate catastrophe. Every production and consumption process is inextricably linked to costs incurred by the natural environment: waste is produced, carbon dioxide is emitted, water is consumed. The demand for mineral resources, fuels and food is leading to the destruction of tropical forests and the reduction of natural capital. As a result, there are consequences that burden all inhabitants of the Earth. Currently, the most important environmental threats are: global warming, the ozone hole, acid rain, fossil water deficit and the amount of waste generated. By participating in the project, young people wanted to counteract the degradation of the natural environment by changing their habits and transferring the acquired knowledge to a wide range of recipients - their peers and local communities. The participants, as the initiators of the project, defined the goals of the exchange, i.e.: • creating pro-ecological behavior patterns and shaping attitudes, values and beliefs, • dissemination of the idea of sustainable development in all spheres of life, • promoting good methods, ideas and experiences in the field of ecological methodology and education, • increasing the ecological awareness of participants and joining pro-ecological activities, • expanding knowledge about renewable energy sources, • use of secondary raw materials, • participating in activities aimed at protecting and preventing environmental devastation, • acquiring the skills to segregate and reuse waste, • promotion of the idea of non-formal education and lifelong learning, • developing tolerance, respect for different cultures, religions and people, creating new friendships and building a world of dialogue, without barriers and prejudices.