On Wednesday, December 7, at the University of Daugavpils a seminar on “Renewable Energy” was held where about 50 teachers of physics and geography participated from Latgale region – Daugavpils, Rezekne, Jekabpils, Preili, Ludza and other places. The British Council organized the seminar in cooperation with “Environmental Projects” Ltd. Both the event and the production of handouts was supported by the UN development Program.

Paulis Barons speaks at the seminar

Edgars Kalniņš, representative of the British Council opened the seminar; Zaiga Ikere, rector of the University of Daugavpils, Ģirts Strazdiņš, head of the Movement of Eco Schools, addressed its participants.

It was continued by Janis Sire, doctoral student of Geography and Earth Science, University of Latvia, giving lectures, Paulis Barons, adviser of the Union of Latvian Municipalities, Elza Juhansone, expert at State Environmental Service, and Stefans Vestbergs, expert of feat pump. Teachers found out many new things about the possible link between climate change and the use of fossil fuel, about renewable energy resources,and the influence of small waterpower stations on environment and feat pumps.

Teachers received an “A-Energy” DVD and a brochure “Alternative Energy”, a new publication issued by the Ministry of the Environment “Climate Changes ….In My Pocket”, as well as materials from the British Council and the Movement of Eco Schools.

A DVD and brochure on alternative forms of energy were made as a result of close cooperation between the UN Development Program and “Environment Projects” Ltd. Journalist Uģis Olte explores ways to obtain alternative energy and the use of this energy in Latvia in a seven part series, and Gustavs Terzens tells about the effects of heat insulation on multistoried buildings. The Author of the brochure is Anitra Tooma, chief editor of the magazine ”Environmental News”.

Additional information: Margarita Apine, phone: 7225377,9497441.