Let’s Use Energy Usefully 2018-1-IT02-KA229-048029 4° Exchange of Students in Bulgaria 11 – 15 November
-Analyzing and coping with the most threating environmental concerns -Environment and Culture -Climate Change and Climate Protection
Environmental issues IN ITALY:
GLOBAL WARMING WATER POLLUTION; WASTE; AIR POLLUTION;
ACCORDING TO THE ITALIANS, THE PROBLEMS THAT AFFECT THE ENTIRE POPULATION ARE GLOBAL WARMING (75%) IN EQUAL MEASURE WITH POLLUTION OF THE SEAS AND OCEANS (75%), THE LATTER ISSUE IS PERCEIVED MORE BY YOUNG PEOPLE (18-24 YEARS, 89%). WASTE DISPOSAL FOLLOWS WITH ONLY 1 POINT OF DIFFERENCE (74%) AND THEN THERE IS AIR POLLUTION (69%).
Global warming Global warming is a climatological phenomenon that has hit our planet during the twentieth century and is still ongoing. The causes of rising temperatures lie in the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, favored by harmful emissions connected to the growing industrial activity. The warming of the global climate system is indisputable today, as can be seen from the observations of the increase in the average global atmospheric and ocean temperature, from the melting of the polar ice, from the reduction of the midlatitude glaciers and from the rise in the average level of the oceans.
Carbon dioxide or CO2 (one of the main greenhouse gases together with methane and water vapor) is generally indicated as the main responsible for overheating and is the collateral effect par excellence of fossil fuel exploitation and deforestation. Global warming exerts its influence determining the melting of glaciers, the extension of subtropical deserts and the increase in sea levels.
Temperatures in Europe The increase in temperature in Europe since 2008 is greater than the global one. Average temperature is projected to rise by the end of this century. Global climate models estimate an average temperature increase of between 2.3 and 5.3°C in Northern Europe and between 2.2 and 5.1°C in Southern Europe and the Mediterranean regions. Obviously, estimates of temperature increases vary. In Northern Europe the highest warming is expected during the winter season, while in the Mediterranean regions especially in summer.
Temperatures in Italy
Italy is warming up at twice the rate of the entire planet, so in addition to policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit future damage, Italy has an urgent need to implement strategies to adapt to the consequences of climate change that are already underway. And we need to mobilize at all levels, from citizens to the municipalities, from the regions to the national government, to implement actions in response to the challenge of climate change.
Air pollution Air pollution is defined as a state of alteration of the natural conditions of the air and can be caused by various factors, known as major pollutants which can be physical, chemical or biological. Exhaust gases from motor vehicles, boilers, power plants, factories and incineration plants are emitted into our atmosphere in the form of harmful substances that are particularly harmful to the health of the entire planet. The effects of atmospheric pollution are increasingly known and tangible, especially in large metropolitan centers where smog is a real issue. Air pollution is a growing scourge in Italy. In 2018 55 provincial capitals boasted a sad record which labelled the year as “red code for air quality". To defend air quality in cities with the highest level of smog, limits for traffic have been imposed.
Waste disposal The growth of consumption and urbanization have increased the production of waste and reduced the uninhabited areas where waste can be deposited or treated. This problem is also aggravated by bad habits and by the irresponsibility of citizens. The problem of waste management has become increasingly important in Italy. This problem is being remedied through separate collection. Yet, even if the amount of separate waste increases, the waste disposal firms decrease thus creating a blockage even considering that incinerators would compromise the air pollution too. The use of landfills, despite having low costs in itself, entails a waste of material and creates large concentrations of waste with likely consequences on the environment.
Incinerators base their operation on waste combustion to produce electrical and thermal energy, but they do not perform their zero-impact function, therefore they are not among the most virtuous solutions for waste management. The topic of waste prevention, the social responsibility of producers and a set of laws aimed at reducing packaging, the use of biodegradable materials and rechargeable batteries can be considered useful options.
Water Pollution Most Italian lakes and waterways contain contaminants, and in 1 out of 5 cases concentrations are high, beyond the limits of environmental quality. This depends on the discharge of factories waste substances, urban sewers into the water. Although much has been done in Italy to reduce water pollution, there are still several areas where water pollution is increasing more and more. It is not just a matter of disorder and dirt, plastic waste hurts animals that can get trapped in larger pieces or even mistake small parts for food. The ingestion of plastic particles prevents the digestion of normal foods and can favor the presence of toxic chemical pollutants in their organism; Moreover, through the food chain humans eat plastic ingested by fish. The effects this step has on human health are still unknown. Plastic waste also causes an economic loss for those sectors and those communities that depend on products obtained from the sea, including manufacturing: only 5% of the value of plastic packaging remains in the economy - the rest is literally thrown away, making the need for an approach focused on recycling and reuse even more evident.
Environment and culture:
Industrial development due to the urgencies of the economic, social and moral reconstruction after the wars has been experienced as progress and as the action and ideology of political, social and cultural forces. However, with the passing of time its destructive consequences on the environment needs to be faced.
Eco-friendly cities Our culture is based on needs we hardly manage to satisfy, provoking overconsumption and thus compromising the environment safeguarding. It’s difficult to find positive connections between environment and culture, on the contrary it’s very easy to find all the damage that our civilization is creating to the environment. In recent years, however, environmentally sustainable cities are born. A city needs several factors to be eco-sustainable, such as the use of renewable energy, environmentally friendly means of transport and much more. Italy has many eco-sustainable cities such as Mantua and Pisa, which are some of the most important eco-sustainable cities, but in particular in the Calabrian territory Cosenza is the greenest and most eco-sustainable city. The presence of these cities is of great importance for the protection of the environment, and slowly it is hoped that eco-friendly cities will occupy a larger part of the world territory.
Visual Pollution The term "visual pollution" refers to the alteration of any environment - natural or urban landscape - with the inclusion of elements that, due to their extraneousness, are unpleasant to the eye such as to generate discomfort. Living in a place or in a city where traffic, maxi billboards, television antennas are the master and where the outlying areas are squalid and unadorned, as well as offending the sight and the common sense of aesthetics, affects negatively the welfare of people.
Climate changes and Climate Protection Rapid climate changes have been observed by scientists since the middle of the last century. Over the last few years, deeper and faster changes in the climate system have been determined by man. The Earth's climate is subject to fluctuations that depend on natural causes such as earth orbit, solar radiation, ocean circulation and volcanic eruptions. However changes in the climate system have been determined by men as well, mainly through the increasing emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Climate change is no longer a hypothesis about the future, nor is it an issue that only concerns the North Pole: it affects Italy today, with frequent storms, destruction, death, damage to agriculture. Agricultural production has been hit hard, with producers of olive oil, honey and chestnuts in serious difficulty. The mismanagement of the territory has certainly counted, but one cause has been the very heavy rainfall.
WWF
In Italy, given the wealth of ecosystems, the WWF's struggle for the environment has led to good results: parks and nature reserves now cover about 11% of the entire national territory, while it reaches 20% if you take into account other constraints, starting with those still potential of the Natura 2000 Network of the European Union. The Association carries out many projects and activities in the Italian protected areas: national and regional parks, land and sea nature reserves. The WWF is always at the forefront of environmental protection, just think of the Italian Oasis System, which is a unique natural heritage in the world, or ecotourism, the legal protection of parks or education programs.
Greta Thunberg
https://www.open.online/2019/09/24/la-rabbia-di-greta-thunberg-alle-nazioni-unite-il-video-integrale/
Swedish environmental activist who is credited with raising global awareness of the risks posed by climate changes
Portugal…
Let´s change our habits! We will present you some strategies... To
apply at home;
To
change the way we think of transports;
To
eat smartly.
1. What can we do at home? Using natural light whenever possible is something we should always do!
Building houses with strong materials helps maintaining the temperature stable inside. If we pay attention to where the sun is, we can adjust the time when we open and close windows. This measure allows us to control the temperature of the house in a natural way. A positive outcome is that we reduce the use of air conditioning.
1. What can we do at home?
Ask for an energetic efficiency certificate of your house to know how you can improve!
Buy electrical appliances with high energetic efficiency.
Switch normal lamps to LED ones.
1. What can we do at home? If possible, we can install solar panels on the roof. They cost about 500 euros and last for more than 25 years. After 7 years the profit has already surpassed its cost. Portugal has around 3 000 hours of solar exposition, more than any other European country.
2. Let´s talk about transports... Buy an electric car instead of a normal one. Use public transports or your bike when possible.
Avoid using your car. In Portugal, transports are reponsible for 25% of the total gas emissions.
Share rides with friends. Be sure that your vehicle sticks to the gas emission norms.
Live close to work if possible
3. What about our eating habits? ď ľ Portuguese
people eat a lot of meat, according to national statistics.
ď ľ Cows,
for example, are responsible for a big part of methane emissions, which contribute to global warming.
3. What about our eating habits?
If we continue to consume such a big amount of fish, meat, eggs and dairy products, it will be impossible to stay below the 1.5ºC of global heating.
Eating 50 g of meat instead of 100 g would reduce a person’s food emission by 35%.
Changing for a vegetarian diet could make the individuals’ emissions get lower by 47%.
Where we live‌ Every Friday, local producers sell their goods in an open-air market, next to our school. We can buy biological and fresh products and contribute to the local economy. We have wind farms in the region that produce clean energy, as the one some of you visited, in Serra de Bornes.
Wind farm, Serra de Bornes.
Where we live‌ Dams also produce some amount of electrical power. We visited this one with the Erasmus project in February.
24
Miranda do Douro’s dam.
Where we live‌ Visitors can explore the wild by participating in organised walks in the woods, that promote nature conservation. We have natural protected parks, like Parque Natural de Montesinho, so that endangered species can be preserved.
Turkey
1. CLIMATE CHANGE Climate change affects all the countries worldwide like Turkey. The number of meteorological extreme events has been increasing particularly since 2000. A total of 654 and 598 meteorological natural disasters were reported in 2016 and 2017 respectively.
Distribution of meteorological extreme events in 2017 were; storm and tornado 36%, heavy rainfall and 31% flooding,16% hail, 7% heavy snow, 4% lightning, 2% avalanche , 2% frost, and 2% others.
National Climate Change Strategy (2010-2023) determined three main strategies as Short Term, Medium Term and Long Term, which are as follows:
Short Term • Harmonization of legislation governing municipal wastes will be finalized by the end of 2010. Medium Term • The amount of waste reuse and recovery will be increased within the framework of the Waste Action Plan (2008-2012). • 104 sanitary landfill facilities will be established and 76% of municipal waste will be disposed at such facilities by the end of 2012. Long Term • Waste management hierarchy of source reduction, reuse, recycling, and recovery shall be implemented more efficiently. • The amount of organic substances transferred to the sanitary landfills will be reduced, and biodegradable wastes will be used in energy generation or composting. • Landfill gas will be captured and used for energy generation directly or after being processed; and if these gases cannot be used for energy generation, they will be burned.
2.1 billion people live in the world. 3 out of every 10 people don’t have access to drinking water in their homes . 57.4% of households in Turkey do have access to safe drinking water in their homes. However water pollution is the most threatening environmental problem in Turkey according to the report in 2016 by Ministry of Environment and Urbanization.
2. WATER POLLUTION
Surface water quality, considered low in many water bodies, is corrupting due to insufficient pollution control. The problem of discharges of untreated wastewater from urban and industrial areas is getting worse by the buoyant economy. At the same time, Turkey has made a remarkable effort to increase wastewater collection and treatment in metropolitan areas. Turkey has identified 25 hydrological basins, completed river basin protection action plans in all of them and designated water bodies sensitive to eutrophication. Population access to wastewater treatment plants increased from 42%to 79% over 2005-16
3. AIR POLLUTION
Air quality in Turkey is a big concern: measurements show that citizens all over the country breathe in air that is considered harmful to health. The air quality standard for PM2.5 and concentrations of PM10 are much higher than what the EU and the World Health Organization (WHO) have set to protect health.
The main reason of air pollution in Turkey is that the Turkish economy and the nation’s demand for energy have been growing rapidly, trends that are set to continue with its expanding energy needs mostly being met by fossil fuels – in particular, coal for generating electricity – Turkey’s emissions are set to rise significantly. A major Turkish policy that includes elements of environmental protection is the country’s Tenth Development Plan (2014-2018). At the core of the plan is sustainable development and increasing development of Turkey’s renewable energy sector, particularly for wind and geothermal power.
Turkey’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), which was submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) in 2015 stated targets for both solar and capacity to reach 10 GW and 16 GW, respectively, by 2030.
According to the Air Pollution Report 2017, over the last few years, Turkey has increased the number of stations that monitor the air quality and the technical competence of the staff working in this field. The Ministry of Environment and Urban Planning shares the elaborate results of the data gathering in our country with transparency on the website http://www.havaizleme.gov.tr/ Furthermore, Clean Air Centers are established in Istanbul, Samsun and Erzurum by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization. The government plans to establish 8 Clean Air Centers in total and aims to increase the number of air quality monitoring stations to 330.
Currently, there are many projects ongoing that are necessarily aimed at reducing air pollution.
The Eurasia Tunnel and Marmaray Project Eurasia 16 Tunnel, one of the recent projects, allows people to transit between the European and Asian sides without the effect of weather conditions. The time saving potential is one of the great features provided by the tunnel. The tunnel provided significant savings in fuel, environmental pollution and accident costs in one year period of time. The air quality measurements before and after the opening of the tunnel showed that 32 percent decrease in particulate matter and 23 percent decrease in carbon concentrations were achieved in the surrounding of the tunnel. Furthermore, 30000 tons of fuel savings, which is worth 286 million TL, and 18 million tons CO2 emission reduction, which corresponds to 23 million TL savings, were achieved.
4. OVERPOPULATION
Turkey 2019 population is estimated at 83,429,615 people at mid year according to UN data. Turkey population is equivalent to 1.08% of the total world population. According to the World Bank’s data, approximately 73 percent of Turkey’s population now lives in cities; and in 2030, this percentage is expected to exceed up to 80 percent.
As the nation’s people migrate to cities, they continue to fill roads, jobs, houses, parks, and bring their personal vehicles. A lot of this growth is good, contributing to industry, new construction, improved transportation, and increased demand for food and energy which stimulate the economy.
As our economy grows with expansions in industry to construction, transportation and food, our cities require a lot more energy production, which is the primary cause of climate change. This is true for many regions across the globe. The International Energy Agency (IEA)’s 2014 World Energy Outlook notes that global energy demand will increase by 37 percent by 2040; demand for electricity, on the other hand, is expected to increase by 80 percent. One of the reasons why the demand for energy and electricity is increasing is the growth in cities.
5. BIODIVERSITY
Turkey has three biogeographical regions that are called Europe-Siberia, Mediterranean and Iran-Turan, and their transition zones. The facts that the country is located between the continents, and that elevation, landforms and climate characteristics change at short distances enable it to have a very rich characteristic in terms of living species, genetic characteristics and the diversity of ecosystems. Turkey has different forms and combinations of these ecosystems with its forest, mountain, steppe, wetland, coastal and marine ecosystems (Ministry of Environment and Forestry, 2008).
The expected effects of climate change on inland aquatic ecosystems are the loss of area and volume of water bodies, decreasing of fresh water resources, and decreases in current and flow rate and these effects would cause becoming arid, water shortage and inadequacy, deterioration of biological diversity and habitats, yield decreases in agriculture, and food inadequency. Wetlands are one of the most fragile ecosystems against climate change. Terrestrial fresh water wetlands will be affected by the changes in the rains and the more frequent and intensive droughts, storms, floods, and inundations. The changes in timing and amounts of precipitation that feed river systems change the water supply in the coastal wetlands such as deltas and estuaries. When the levels of the effects of climate change are regionally investigated, trends such as increase in temperature and evaporation and decrease in precipitation are seen in Mediterranean River Basin and Mediterranean Climate areas, in which Turkey resides (TurkeĹ&#x; et al, 2000).
Waste generation has been increasing continuously in Turkey. Significant improvement was achieved in waste management In 1994, by far the main disposal method for municipal waste was the open dumping of waste, nearly without the existence of any composting of waste or other biological waste recovery methods and only 2 sanitary landfills were available, 88 sanitary landfills were in operation by 2016 receiving 61.2% of the total municipal waste collected. Landfill gas collection and electricity generation facilities have become popular particularly in the last 5 years. The biogas production (collected gas) on landfills and wastewater treatment has reached to a capacity of more than 200 MWe.
6.WASTE
Biological treatment of waste is also on a verge of development. There are 13 biological waste recovery facilities and 1 coincineration plant available in Turkey. 140.5 thousand tons of waste was treated in composting plants and 19.7 thousand tons of compost waste has been produced (TurkStat_j, 2018, MoEU_b, 2018). Recovery of Methane from waste disposal sites and wastewater treatment plants increased significantly from the year 2002 onwards resulting in reduction of GHG emissions from waste sector. GHG emissions from waste disposal sites increased by 73.6% during 1990-2016 periods (from 6.7 Mt to 11.7 Mt), while waste disposal was increased by 83% in the same period. Wastewater discharge increased by 200% while GHG emissions from the same sector was increased by 6%. Methane recovery slows down the increase rate of GHG emissions. Based on Methane recovery, GHG emissions are expected to increase in a slower rate.
By the year 2023, it is targeted to recycle 35% and to dispose to landfills 65% of the waste produced. For this purpose, Medium and Long-Term targets of National Waste Management Action Plan targets are as follows: • Increase the proportion of packaged waste collected separately in the source, which is 5.3% in 2014, to 12% in 2023.
• Increase the recycling rate of municipal waste, which is 0.2% in 2014, to 4% in 2023, 4 to 11% in 2023 • Increase the recovery rate of municipal wastes by 0.3% in 2014 to 8% in 2023 • 88.7% in 2014 municipal waste to reduce the disposal rate of wastes by 65% in 2023 • Rehabilitation of Wild Landfill Sites • To ensure the spread of construction wastes and excavation land management throughout the country
• To increase collection and recovery efficiency in the management of special wastes • Increase the investment of additional facilities for the recovery and disposal of hazardous wastes
Turkey plans to reduce import dependency and ensure energy security by increasing domestic production of coal, renewables and nuclear energy, and promoting energy efficiency. Installed capacity of renewable energy sources has increased substantially in recent years, but the share of renewables in the energy mix has remained stable since 2005.
ZERO-WASTE PROJECT IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS In the context of the “zero-waste” initiative, under the patronage of the First Lady, the MEU has recently implemented a zero-waste project in the ministry’s premises. Waste is collected separately, and food leftovers are sent to animal shelters. Compost units have been installed to produce manure. Thanks to this initiative, waste from the ministry’s premises is no longer sent to landfills. Awareness campaigns are organised across the country. The government aims to expand this project to all ministries in 2018 and to all public institutions and public spaces by 2023.
AGRICULTURAL INSURANCE SYSTEM: A RISK-SHARING MECHANISM TO INCREASE RESILIENCE TO CLIMATE DISASTERS The Agricultural Insurance System (TARSIM) was devised to compensate farmers for losses in their agricultural activities resulting from extreme weather conditions. Before that, only a small share of producers had sufficient funds to be covered by private insurance. TARSIM’s coverage has grown significantly over the past decade, and now reaches about 400 000 agricultural producers. The system works as a public-private partnership, with the government covering part of the insurance costs to be paid by producers. Continued government support and diversification in insurance should lead to more insurance applications. The system will have to ensure its sustainability in a context of increased transaction and implementation costs and uncertain climate change impacts.
Bad sides of renewable energy 1. HYDRO • The dams constructed for harnessing hydropower tend to greatly influence the flow of rivers, which can alter ecosystems and negatively impact wildlife and people. • The most negative impact of this giant among the renewables is the flooding of an area. 2. WIND • A recent review by the National Wind Coordinating Committee (NWCC) found that collisions with wind turbines and air pressure changes caused by spinning turbines resulted in several bird and bat deaths. Similarly, offshore wind turbines can harm marine birds. • Wind turbines also too much noise.
• 3. SOLAR • To build a utility-scale solar power facility, a large area of land is required. This can interfere with the existing land uses. The use of many acres of land can result in clearing and grading of land, which can cause soil compaction, erosion, and alteration of drainage channels. • Furthermore, solar energy systems can impact the land in the process of materials extraction, exploration, manufacturing, and disposal. • 4. BIOMASS • The bioenergy feedstock and the way it is harvested can negatively impact land use along with global warming emissions. For example, human and animal waste used to power engines may cut down on carbon emissions, but increase harmful methane emission. • Furthermore, using tree or tree products to create bioenergy comes with its own set of problems. To collect enough lumber, substantial forest land needs to be cleared, which again causes topical changes and destroys animal habitat.
This shows how renewables can negatively impact the planet. However, renewables are making a notable difference in the world as they are helping to curb carbon emissions. What scientists, engineers, companies, and nations expanding their power capacities need to focus on, is implementing solutions that keep negative impacts of renewables in check.
Bulgaria
WHAT ARE THE MOST SERIOUS ENVIRONMENTTHREATING PROBLEMS? 1.CLIMATE CHANGE
2. AIR POLLUTION
3. WATER POLLUTION
4. SOIL POLLUTION
5. DISAPPEARANCE OF ANIMAL AND PLANT SPECIES
6. WASTE
7. NOISE POLLUTION
8. OVERPOPULATION
By 2015, the share of renewable energy sources (RES) in the total energy consumption in Bulgaria amounts to 20%. By this indicator, the country exceeds the targets set by the European Commission to stimulate green energy production by 2020. Sweden has a share of RES of 52%, Latvia - 37.1%, Finland - 36.8%, Germany 33% and Austria with 32%. The record holder is Iceland with 100% (75% of hydropower plants, 25% of geothermal plants).
What comes to mind when you hear about solar panels, wind generators and water plants?
You imagine pure energy production that spares people and nature?!?
However, renewable energy technologies are not perfect and have a country that can obscure the green and responsible image of the industry. WHY?
they need vast areas of land to produce the energy they need
large areas of land are taken away or flooded
landslides and erosion are increasing
flora and fauna change unfavorably
the regional climate is changing
However, renewable energy technologies are not perfect and have a country that can obscure the green and responsible image of the industry. WHY? Many dirty chemicals HNO3, H2SO4, HF, NaOH, Se, Cd, Si are used to produce solar panels and wind turbines their damage leads to disintegration and corresponding pollution of the environment. They are very harmful to nature, especially cadmium telluride which damage the lungs and kidneys and cause death. wind energy generators generate a lot of noise biomass burning results in carbon dioxide emissions and in some cases even worse global warming. The production of biofuels is also a cause of huge loss of biodiversity.
However, renewable energy technologies are not perfect and have a country that can obscure the green and responsible image of the industry. "It is easy to think that green energy is always sustainable, but again and again we see how in one form or another it can be worse for society, the environment, and in the case of plant burning biofuels and whole trees, even for the climate. We subsidize the destruction of nature in particular large proportions." Yori Sihvonen
IN BULGARIA
Executive Environment Agency (ExEA) is an administration with the Minister of Environment and Water to carry out management, coordination and information functions as regards the control and environmental protection in Bulgaria. It designs and manages the National System for Environmental Monitoring for monitoring and information on the state of environmental components and factors on the complete territory of the country. The Agency is a National Reference Centre within the European Environment Agency (EEA). The Agency is a Member of EPA Network. The EPA Network is an informal grouping bringing together the directors of environment protection agencies and similar bodies across Europe. The network exchanges views and experiences on issues of common interest to organisations involved in the practical day-to-day implementation of environmental policy.
In Vratsa
1 the
use of solid fuels in homes has a huge negative effect on the air in the premises themselves, with a direct impact on the health of the people.
Sources of AIR POLLUTION are: Domestic Heating:
with 59% it is the largest contributor to pollution. data show that air quality is worst during the winter months.
2
Transportation:
ďƒ˜ Fine particulates pollution from transport is largely due to the presence of a large number of vehicles without a catalytic converter or a noncatalytic converter, and as a way of resolving such problems, such vehicles are simply kept out of the way during annual roadworthiness tests.
3
The maintenance of the streets
ďƒ˜ their washing ďƒ˜ poor road surface and water cycle.
The main problems related to the protection of WATER from POLLUTION are: • untreated wastewater the low level of construction of sewage systems in the settlements • the lack of waste water treatment plants •
industry
SOIL POLLUTION Impacts on soils from industry, transport, their improper use in agriculture lead to soil pollution, and hence to pollution of groundwater, of the production obtained with nitrates, air pollution, disturbance of the conditions for flora and fauna and loss of biodiversity.
WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?
Protection of the air, water and soil from pollution and damage Prevention and limitation of industrial pollution ECO FRIENDLY waste management
Reduction of PM emissions from domestic heat- replacement of coal with alternative ways of heating Carrying out a tree planting campaign Construction of bicycle lanes Improvement of public areas and inter-block spaces
The production of green energy and its storage for further use is at the heart of the sustainable energy of the future.
HOW TO COPE WITH THE MOST SERIOUS ENVIRONMENTTHREATENING PROBLEMS?
Hungary
Introduction Is
the world getting warmer?
If
so, are our actions to blame for earth’s temperature increase?
What
should we do about these issues?
Climate change in Hungary Climate change is not a phenomenon of the future, you can experience enhancing droughts, heatwaves, but floods, inland inundations and fleshfloods in Hungary. According to the climate models, this change is accelererating, thus we have to prepare to more and more extreme weather events in the future.
Climate change in Hungary More than 80% of the population in Hungary feels the impacts of climate change in their daily lives, and is worried about the climate change, reveals the Energiaklub’s country-wide representative survey (made in 2015). Over 70% of the people experiences increasingly hot summers and sudden temperature changes in their towns. Six out of ten people experience more and more frequent heavy rainstorms and tempests, and increasingly moderate winters.
Climate change in Hungary In line with the global trends, Hungary has also observed major changes in its regional climatic conditions in the last 100 years and more intensely in the past 30 years. According to the systematically collected and evaluated climate data series of the Hungarian Meteorological Service (OMSZ), an increase (more than 1,2 °C in average) can be observed in the mean annual temperature since the early ‘80s in Hungary.
Climate change in Hungary In addition to this, a considerable change in the intensity of temperature extremities can be observed as well. The decrease in the number of frost days (when daily minimum temperature drops below 0°C) while the increase in the number of hot days (when daily maximum temperature reaches or exceeds 30°C) clearly shows an accelerated warming phenomenon.
Climate change in Hungary According to the OMSZ’s and Eötvös Loránd University’s joint research, the changes in precipitation and its extremities are less detectable than the changes in temperature, however an increasing length of drought periods during all seasons as well as regional dissimilarities can be observed in the trends. Another experienced feature is that the annual precipitation is now gradually falling in the form of intense, rapid showers instead of evenly dispersed rains, especially in summer.
Climate change in Hungary According to climate-models, incidences of extreme temperatures in the summer will increase in the future. The annual mean temperature will increase by 1-2.5°C in the 20212050 period while the degree of warming will reach 2-5°C by 2071-2100. Temperatures will be 6 °C warmer on average in the distant future especially in South-East Hungary i.e. the consequences of climate change are territorially differentiated.
A survey in Hungary
Sewerage and wastewater treatment project of Nyíregyháza and its environs The area involved in the project is the Nyíregyháza wastewater agglomeration. At present, sewage supply of the general population stands at around 81% in the area. Following the realisation of the project this ratio will increase to 96%, and the treatment capacity for the higher amount of collected waste water will also be provided for. The objective of the project is to stop groundwater pollution under its geographical area and to improve the quality of life of the population, especially those in the vicinity of transfer stations and receptors.
Sewerage and wastewater treatment project of Nyíregyháza and its environs The project will result in better waste water services to the population concerned. The possibility to connect to the sewerage network will be provided to an additional population of 18 375. The project will help to improve the environmental quality of life of the population of Nyíregyháza. Additional expected socio-economic benefits of the project are: increased attractiveness of the area for investment and an increase in property values.
Sewerage and wastewater treatment project of Nyíregyháza and its environs The project consists of extending the sewage network in Nyíregyháza by almost 200 km, renovating and upgrading Wastewater Treatment Plant No 2 of the city, and building a new composting plant receiving sludge from both wastewater treatment plants in Nyíregyháza.
What are the project likely environmental benefits? Groundwater and subsoil pollution is expected to decrease in the project area. The project is expected to contribute to the protection of water resources. In addition, the biogas generated during digestion will be used for energy production and replace energy otherwise produced from fossil fuels; thus the project will also contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Earth’s Atmospheric Gases Nitrogen (N2)
Oxygen (O2) Water Steam (H2O)
NonGreenhouse Gases 99%
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Methane (CH4)
Greenhouse Gases 1%
Greenhouse Effect
To a certain degree, the earth acts like a greenhouse. Energy from the Sun penetrates the glass of the greenhouse and warms the air and objects inside. Through this glass the heat can escape slowly resulting much higher temperatures within the greenhouse than outside.
These greenhouse gases last a long time‌ Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for approximately 100 years, methane lasts about 12 years. Other greenhouse gases last even longer. As these gases are raising the temperature of the surface, they trigger the release even greater quantities of carbon dioxide and methane that are currently trapped in frozen.
So how can each of us slow global warming now?
Reducing our consumption of fossil fuels Because greenhouse gas emissions are tied very closely to our energy consumption, using less fossil fuel based on energy may put fewer greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This would help slow global warming.
(
An ordinary ceiling lamp
It uses a ~60 Watt Bulb, and 80% of that energy becomes heat v
How can we make changes?
We can make some simple substitutions Replacing just 1 light bulb with 1 energy-saving bulb saves about 150 pounds of carbon dioxide per year!
Small changes really add up Replace your old refrigerator with a new Energy Star
Set your thermostat down a few degrees in the winter Drive JUST 10 fewer miles per week
Reduce your garbage by 10% through greater recycling Caulk and weather-strip around doors and windows
.
v
Wash clothes in less water.
Blowing Up Your World
ď ľ
How many of you leave your bedroom light on when you are not in the room?
ď ľ
The more energy used, the more rivers are dammed or more fossil fuel is burned
Blowing Up Your World ď ľ
How many of you walk, cycle or use public transport to get to school, instead of going by car? Using cars that burn fossil fuel is one of the major causes of increased level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and it is the primary cause of urban smog.
Blowing Up Your World How many of you, when you drink a soft drink, throw the can into the garbage?
Throwing away any kind of cans we waste energy and resources and add to our waste problem. Many towns are running out of landfill space.
Blowing Up Your World
How many of you eat fresh vegetables instead of canned or frozen? Cook fresh vegetables and get more nutritious than from frozen or canned foods. They are often overprocessed, contain additives, contribute to air pollution (via transport and packaging) and add to our waste problem.
Blowing Up Your World ď ľ
How many of you use a hairdryer or other energy-consuming convenience appliance, especially in the morning?
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Hairdryers use a lot of energy. In the morning so much energy demand is put on our grids that power companies have to find other sources of energy just to meet the morning rush hour
Blowing Up Your World ď ľ
How many of you, when you go to a store, get a bag for your purchases, even if you have only one or two small items to carry?
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Plastic is not biodegradable. Recycling is not the best answer because it requires energy. Instead, carry a reusable cloth bag or a knapsack with you.
Blowing Up Your World How many of you carry your lunch to school in a lunch box or reusable container? Making paper and plastic bags uses energy and resources.
Blowing Up Your World How many of you eat takeout or cafeteria food that is served in foam or plastic containers?
Plastic containers are made from precious petrochemicals, do not decompose in landfills, and release toxic gases when they are burned in incinerators.
Blowing Up Your World ď ľ
How many of you use handkerchiefs instead of tissues and use cloth towels instead of paper towels?
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Paper comes from trees. The more of it we use, the more trees that are cut down
Blowing Up Your World ď ľ
How many of you have changed bulbs for new energy-saving bulbs?
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Changing one bulb could save 150 pounds of carbon dioxide per year!
Our take-home message‌ Each of us must take steps to protect our Earth's climate.
Thanks to this project we contribute to denounce environmental issues by adopting an eco-frienfly attitude
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!