- Geothermal energy - low-emission heating
In 2016, the Ministry of the Environment launched a public support program for geothermal projects focused on energy use. PLN 200 million was allocated for drilling the first test wells and PLN 500 million for drilling subsequent wells and for heating infrastructure. The program of the Ministry of the Environment has several stages. The support is in the form of a subsidy and can be up to 100% of the investment costs for self-governments. Loans and capital investments are another form of support for the World Championships. In 2017, 35 applications for drilling holes and other installation work were submitted. Six cities received positive decisions in 2018. These are Koło, Lądek-Zdrój, Sieradz, Sochaczew, Szaflary, Tomaszów Mazowiecki. It is assumed that first of all geological analysis of research and development wells will be commissioned to scientific institutes. Specialists will select the most advantageous drilling locations for encountering geothermal waters. Already today, scientists have a sufficient geological and thermal database enabling the selection of places in our country with the appropriate potential of geothermal energy. The decisive factor for the presence of geothermal waters is knowledge about the porosity of individual rock beds enabling water accumulation and knowledge about their temperature. - Professor Stefan Michalik in his memories
Professor Stefan Michalik (1935-2018) was from Przeworsk, he worked at the Institute of Nature Conservation of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Krakow. He was a well-known botanist and ecologist, a member of the co-mission and councils of national and landscape parks. During his many years of scientific work, he analyzed the flora of Poland with particular emphasis on national parks, including Bieszczadzki, Gorczański, Magurski, Ojców and Pieniński. In addition, he conducted numerous floristic studies in the Krakow Earth reserves. The presented book was created on the initiative of prof. Krystyna Przybylska and prof. Barbara Michalik, wife of Professor Michalik. The aim of the publication was to recall achievements and present less known facts from the life of a valued botanist and naturalist. The edition shows the silhouette of a researcher who has distinguished himself for science from two perspectives: the family home and the scientific community. - Drought prevention plan
In our country, drought has been more frequent in the last decade. Climate change scenarios point to a worsening of this problem and increasing drought periods throughout the year. So we must now counteract its effects. Since last year, the Polish Water Economy has been implementing a plan to counteract the effects of drought (PPSS). Development of the project called "Stop drought!" results from the provisions of EU directives and guidelines, as well as national provisions. - Catch the sun
Diogenes, an ancient cynic, is close to me not only because in broad daylight, with a candle in hand, he was looking for a man in the crowd. This occupation in contemporary Poland would be equally idle. I value him above all for his attitude to power and self-esteem. When Alexander the Great asked the philosopher if he had any wish, Diogenes replied briefly: "Do not cover the sun for me" ... And although the words of the master have a deeper, metaphorical sense, they are a kind of praise of the sun. And the sun is a deity, a phenomenon - worshiped forever and in all civilizations. A source of light, warmth and deep faith. Today, it evokes quite banal associations: chlorophyll, sunflower, beach, and tan. Hardly when we think about its real strength. And it's huge. - Climate change will drastically change Earth's vegetation
Climate greatly affects the physiognomy of vegetation and conditions the occurrence of certain species in a given area. The impact of climate change on vegetation is of great interest as vegetation, in addition to its fundamental importance, also plays a significant role in the functioning of ecosystems, food production and maintaining overall security. Unlike other groups of organisms, plants can only move through the spread of pollen, seeds and diasporas, which slows down migration and makes vegetation unable to respond quickly to climate change. Plants, as sedentary organisms, are unfortunately also very susceptible to the effects of rapid environmental changes. All available evidence indicates that climate change already has and will have a huge impact on plant diversity in the current century, both at landscape and ecosystem levels, as well as at both species and population levels. It is almost certain that the effects of changes in temperature and precipitation will, along with other factors, affect a number of biological processes and the occurrence of individual species and the state of ecosystems.
AURA Ochrona Środowiska (AURA Environmental Protection) - full list