Category: Green Planet

A joint team of entomologists from Romania and Italy discovered, during recent expeditions, five new species of beetles on Romanian territory. It is essential that their monitoring continues and that research is intensified in order to identify new species arriving on Romanian territory as a result of the globalization process in a timely manner.

Andreea Cătălina Drăghici is the author of the work that aimed to catalog the species of the Coleoptera order in Romania. She is also a museographer at the “Grigore Antipa” National Museum of Natural History. To begin with, let’s learn about the context of the discovery.

“Coleoptera are insect species, generally speaking, of particular importance for nature and the ecosystem. The benefits are multiple and, anyway, we know that we live in the Anthropocene era, we know about the accelerated decline of biodiversity, but, in this context, I would mention global changes, the phenomenon of urbanization, but also globalization in the context of international trade. In our study, we observed that five species of beetles arrived in Romania due to this international trade. Our species of beetles are called non-native, or allogeneic, because they are opportunistic species. They live alongside human activity, they accompany humans. Also, urban areas, cities, port areas, customs areas are also called hot spots of introduction.”

That is why three of the five species discovered were found in Dobrogea, continues Andreea Cătălina Drăghici, who emphasizes the importance of knowing about new species of beetles.

“It is an arid, steppe area, suitable for these non-native species, because they usually prefer higher temperatures. Hence the port area as an area of introduction in our country. These species are particularly important to know. The scientific community approaches them with great attention, but they also need to be known at the level of the entire population, because they are approached especially from the point of view of the economic impact, but also on the impact on health. They can alter food, and there are examples where we find such non-native species, for example, even in the cornmeal in the kitchen. However, there is also an impact on biodiversity, because they disrupt biodiversity in local ecosystems. This impact on biodiversity is more difficult to demonstrate, because it requires more elaborate studies. However, there is a genetic impact through the possibility of hybridizing with native species. There may be phenomena of competition or displacement of native populations. At the moment it has not been proven, but there is a possibility that it could lead to the disappearance of native species.”

The study on beetle species was carried out by an international team, based on a European regulation on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species.

“It was only in 2022 that a national list was created, which mentions 52 species of alien or non-native beetles. Thus, we became aware of the opportunity to bring in other species. That is why we have discovered five new species and, certainly, there are other species. It is very difficult to carry out national monitoring, which involves a great deal of financial and human effort. These five species that we discovered were through unintentional collection. So these unintentional collections are still of great importance, until more elaborate monitoring mechanisms are developed at the national level. So, among the five new species is Cis chinensis. We identified it right in Bucharest, so we can find new species even in the city. Maybe we imagine that species are hidden in more isolated areas, and we found this species in fungi, that is, in some mushrooms on a tree. It is the American maple, originating in China. In addition to these five new species that are mentioned for the Romanian fauna, we also added additions to 19 other species of beetles that had poor distribution data, meaning they were known to exist in the Romanian fauna, but their distribution was not so well established. Therefore, we updated their distribution, and I think it is also very important for them.”

Romania has an impressive diversity of insects due to its varied climate and diverse ecosystems. In this context, several insect species have been reported in recent decades, causing economic, ecological and agricultural problems. They were introduced accidentally, most often through international trade in plants, fruits or wood. Monitoring and control measures are essential to limit their negative impact. However, there is no reason to worry about the newly discovered species, says Andreea Cătălina Drăghici, museographer at the “Grigore Antipa” National Museum of Natural History.

“We must clearly mention that not all new or non-native species also become invasive. In order to become invasive, that is, to spread very widely and to be in very large numbers, it is necessary to go through several rather difficult steps. Then, anyway, very few species that enter our country end up being invasive, because they need to have climate conditions, that is, it must be a warm area, they need sufficient food, so, a very small number of the species that come end up becoming invasive. I would like to mention Citizen Science, a platform that helps researchers a lot, especially since there are relatively few researchers in our field in Romania. The field of cockroaches is less addressed, because their identification is difficult, they are very small, and their characters are very similar. However, from here, our understanding of the importance of providing information in an easily accessible format, and especially people’s access to this scientific information about invasive species and public awareness of this issue in Romania. This awareness is currently quite low at the level of Romania.”

Citizen Science is a form of public participation in research projects through which citizens are involved in different stages of the scientific research process. This involvement can range from being better informed about science, its results and its impact on society at large, to participating in the scientific process itself. Citizens can collect and analyze data, and even fund some scientific research projects.

Bird electrocution mortality is a major conservation issue, affecting birds of prey in particular. Uninsulated medium-voltage power lines, which are frequently used by these birds as a stopover when hunting or resting, constitute one of the greatest risks for these species. The Romanian Ornithological Society has installed 1,000 insulating sheaths on medium-voltage poles located in the nesting territories of the Danube falcon (Falco cherrug – Lat.)

Ciprian Fântână is a conservation manager at the Romanian Ornithological Society and coordinator of the activity in Romania for the international project “LIFE for Falcons”, carried out in Bulgaria and Romania.

“It is a project that started in 2021. It runs until 2026 and aims to conserve the Danube falcon population in southern Romania and Bulgaria. The Danube falcon is an endangered species of falcon, typical of the steppe lands, which, in Romania, we encounter in two distinct populations. We have the Pontic population in Dobrogea and the Pannonian population, in the Western Plain, a continuation of the population in Hungary. The population we work with, the Pontic population, is part of a population that also includes southern Moldova, Ukraine, and extends to southern Russia. In Romania, the two populations have different dynamics. The Pannonian population, in the west of the country, seems to be doing well due to the fact that it has benefited from several conservation programs, and the Pontic population has a completely distinct trend. It is in decline. We only have seven or nine pairs of falcons in the Pontic population and for this reason, in this project, we only deal with the Pontic population.”

Until the actual implementation of the project, a study was carried out whose results are essential for the conservation of biodiversity. The results are the basis for developing effective protection measures, aimed at reducing the risks to the population of Danube falcons in Romania, a species declared endangered and included on the Red List, both in Romania and in Bulgaria. We learned from Ciprian Fântână, conservation manager, that the central area of Dobrogea was identified as the region with the most victims, and the poles here were designated as having priority for insulation within the international project “LIFE for Falcons”, implemented in Romania by the Romanian Ornithological Society.

“The study targeted the known territories of Danube falcons from the Pontic population, respectively within a radius of 10 kilometers around the nest, we investigated each power line to see the risk of electrocution. For this, we analyzed around 3,700 poles and investigated which species are electrocuted and in what number. There were several thousand birds. Around 13% of the investigated poles had at least one victim electrocuted. Based on that study, we captured the critical areas where we need to intervene through a conservation activity aimed at isolating dangerous poles. For insulation, there are some rubber sleeves, which are placed in the area of the insulators, and considerably reduce the risk of electrocution. We identified the critical areas, after which we managed, through a partnership with Rețele Electrice România, to complete the activity. We identified the dangerous poles, we purchased the insulating sheaths, and, further, Rețele Electrice România contributed its own funds to the installation of these insulating sheaths on the insulators on the poles. This year we will start monitoring the effects of this conservation activity. We believe that it will significantly reduce the risk of electrocution, but this must be proven with data. We have no fears that it will not be so, because the technique has already proven its effectiveness in many conservation projects. We will check the poles to see if there are any electrocuted victims.”

The Romanian Ornithological Society collaborated with Rețele Electrice România, the electricity distribution operator in this area, which involved a significant number of specialists, both for the development of the feasibility study and the technical project, and for the field work. In total, 30 specialists, grouped in 10 teams, intervened on the field with special equipment for carrying out the work at a height. In addition, other activities were carried out, says Ciprian Fântână, conservation manager at the Romanian Ornithological Society and coordinator of the activity in Romania for the international project “LIFE for Falcons”.

“60 artificial nests were set up for the species. Some are video monitored to reduce the risk of chicks disappearing. These falcons are of particular importance in falconry activities. Sometimes, there are cases, especially in Bulgaria, but also in Ukraine, where chicks are taken from the nest for these activities. To protect these populations that we have in southeastern Romania, we have also installed surveillance cameras to monitor activity around the nest.”

An interesting aspect, from behind the scenes of monitoring, is that the probability of finding an electrocuted Danube falcon is extremely low.

“It is extremely low because there are very few of them and, once electrocuted, the corpses usually disappear quickly from under the pole because they are consumed by macrophage mammals, like foxes or jackals. When you do the monitoring, you can find what has died in recent days. Sometimes, you can also find skeletons, but that is when there are thickets or denser vegetation at the base of the pole, which does not allow the scavengers to collect that corpse. We, based on what we found, identified the dangerous poles. On those poles, there is the highest probability that a Danube falcon will be electrocuted. They are near their nest or in their territory, and there birds are constantly being electrocuted. Somehow, they are used by the birds as observation points. Of those several thousand birds found, most were corvids, followed by storks, and then by species of birds of prey. In particular, buzzards, kestrels, but there were also short-toed snake eagles. The latter is also a protected species, and uses poles a lot during the migration period, because they sleep on them. They migrate during the day, and in the evening they look for a place to rest. Very often, the only places to rest, where they are not disturbed, are medium-voltage poles. They sit on them and, often, get electrocuted. They also have a larger wingspan, so, percentage-wise, the most were corvids, followed by storks.”

Reducing the causes that lead to the disappearance of the Danube falcon, such as mortality by electrocution, the lack of nesting sites and favorable habitats for feeding, and the persecution that the birds face in their breeding areas, represents one of the pillars on which the strategy of this project, co-financed by the European Union’s “LIFE” program, is built.

Every year, the European Union produces an estimated 2.2 billion tons of waste. Therefore, waste management legislation is being constantly updated to promote a radical change of course towards a more sustainable model, known as the circular economy. Usually, when we talk about the circular economy, we think about waste, but it is much more than that, says Liliana Nechita, the director of the Federation of Intercommunity Development Associations:

“It is true that waste is visible and could be better managed so that we could comply with this circular economy. Circular economy means that resources remain in the circuit for as long as possible. We talk about solid resources so we first we think of waste, but water and land are also included. In the linear model of economic management, the habit was to extract resources, produce goods, consume them and then throw away what is no longer useful to us. Basically, we have extracted resources from nature which then ended up occupying land and at the same time creating environmental problems, pollution in the first place.”

The circular economy was inspired by nature. Liliana Nechita explains:

“Basically, this is what the culture of ancient civilizations meant. They lived in harmony with nature, but in our society, much later, in the 1960s-1970s, the first concerns regarding the environment and the depletion of resources, appeared, so the first EU regulations in the field of waste were drawn up. Only later, around 2000, was introduced the principle by which we focus on the design of a product, so that from the design and prototype stage goods that can be reused and recycled are created. Ten years later, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation defined the circular economy as a system based on three principles. So it was then that the concept of circular economy, promoted by this lady and the foundation she established, was born. Being a navigator, she probably felt stronger, during her voyages on seas and oceans, the impact that waste, mostly plastic probably, but also other types, has on biodiversity and on nature in general.”

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation defines the circular economy as a system in which goods never become waste and nature regenerates. The principles that are taken into account from the design phase are very important:

“It’s about eco-design, about the fact that we introduce products and materials into a cycle, which can be a technical or biological one, when we talk about bio-waste or bio-resources, and, in practice, we preserve this intrinsic value. What does this circular economy action plan practically aim to do? First of all, to ensure, for the European business environment and for the EU citizens, the transition to an economy that uses resources in sustainable manner. Not all the resources that we use in Europe today come from Europe. Some come from very remote countries while others are not accessible to us for various reasons or are insufficient. Therefore, one of the solutions to ensure our independence and, ultimately, continuity, is to keep these resources here, manage them here and use them here. Basically, the goals of this action plan are to make full use of raw materials and promote energy saving while reducing greenhouse gas with an impact on climate change.”

So, we are talking about a radically different approach to the traditional economic model, based on the principle we use-we produce-we consume-we discard. This traditional model is based on large quantities of cheap and easily accessible materials and energy. As for the energy economy, there are now all kinds of actions aimed at conserving energy and a growing interest in green energy and renewable energy, explains Liliana Nechita, the director of the  Federation of Intercommunity Development Associations:

“The Circular Economy Action Plan is all about supporting the transformation of the economy by using all the tools it can access in order to develop new business opportunities and at the same time increase competitiveness. Obviously, integrating environmental costs into production or products costs will have an impact on competitiveness, especially compared with other economies when this does not happen. Circular economy, however, creates new jobs in newly developing sectors, in the area of green energy, in renewable energy. It also conserves those precious resources that are either located very far from Europe or are very difficult to access, primarily because they are in very short supply. Basically, at this moment, there is more and more talk in the public space about critical raw materials. And these critical raw materials are the ones we pay special attention to, because they go into the production process of goods and some of them are impossible and very difficult to do without. This ultimately requires a fairer and more effective management of these raw materials that come from precious and rare sources. Obviously, reducing the impact on the environment might seem like a secondary purpose, but in fact, it is one of the goals of circular economy.”

The most recent measure of the European Commission was to propose new rules at the level of the European Union
 regarding packaging. The proposals aim to improve packaging design and clear labeling in order to promote reuse 
and recycling. Also, the Commission calls for the transition to plastics of biological origin, biodegradable and 
compostable.

The Gala Green Report is an initiative that aims to recognize and reward the local merits of companies, authorities and public figures in the fight against global environmental threats. Already in its fourth edition in 2024, the event takes place every year under a theme that metaphorically symbolizes man’s relationship with nature. This year’s edition, named “Water, Elixir of Life”, is dedicated to the journey of water in a thirsty world. Thus, the organizers remind us that education is the solution to the unprecedented crisis that is draining the planet, as we learned from Raluca Fișer, the president of the Green Revolution Association.

“The Green Report Gala is an initiative of the Green Report publication, which, for 17 years, has been writing not only about problems, but also about opportunities, the good things that are happening in Romania and outside Romania in terms of the environment. It is a business publication, which is why we decided to not only complain about everything that happens in Romania, to show that there is also excellence, there are innovations, there are people who are visionaries, and who want to do good things. They may be based on business interests, profitability, competition, that’s right, but they could act in different ways. When a project has environmental protection as one of its main goals, then we are interested and then we want to show the public that such projects also exist in Romania.”

The Green Report Gala offers recognition to outstanding environmental initiatives implemented in Romania and is a transparent competition, with an impartial jury and objective judging criteria, in which those who choose to sponsor the event cannot participate. The objective is to highlight valuable environmental initiatives and bring them together in a detailed report that can inspire other individuals and organizations. Regarding the theme of the 2024 edition, we find out from Raluca Fișer, president of the Green Revolution Association, why we are focusing on water.

“This time, we’re looking at the blue planet, ‘Water, elixir of life’, because it’s never been more important to talk about these issues we have. When we started talking about the environment, we were talking about climate change, and today we are talking about the climate crisis. I think it is important to call for education and awareness about some current problems we are facing, not only in Romania, but at the level of humanity, at the level of the globe. Our theme this year is a wake-up call that, more or less, some of us haven’t even experienced, either through drought or floods, where we talk about the impact of water on our lives. In fact, we draw attention to the fact that drinking water is only 3% of the total water that is used throughout the world, so that every drop counts, every gesture in every project that we judge matters, and hence the theme of this edition.”

If we analyze the number of registered projects, coming from civil society, meaning NGOs, the event is enjoying success.

“We don’t have a category dedicated to NGOs, because I don’t think there is such a thing anymore. We have 11 categories of excellence, including environmental campaigns or environmental innovations, circular economy to the sustainable use of various resources, so that NGOs, as well as companies or authorities that can participate in the competition, can choose a theme where they really had an impact, and let’s analyze it. So, in a word, they enter a fierce competition with projects also registered by companies or authorities, which makes me very happy, because we see that civil society in Romania is becoming more and more professional in the implementation of environmental projects.”

On the event’s website, gala.green-report.ro, we find all the awarded categories. From environmental education to environmental project funding, there are 11 categories. Raluca Fișer, president of the Green Revolution Association, makes a brief review.

“We are talking about excellence in the financing of environmental projects, in energy efficiency, environmental innovation, public administration. The latter is a category in itself and I would like to see even more local authority projects entered and of quality. The circular economy is another area that we follow very carefully, and where there are many projects written every year, environmental campaigns, excellence in water consumption management, excellence in sustainable transport, in agrifood, in heritage conservation projects, and, last but not least, because I think it is one of the most important categories from my point of view, excellence in environmental education.”

Green Report is currently running several exciting public projects. Among them there is the Green Report podcast, as we learn from Raluca Fișer.

“We try to translate environmental topics in a way that everyone can understand, to bring them closer to people, so that they can find themselves in them. If we talk about the circular economy, let’s understand not only what its impact is or what are its benefits are, but let’s see how we could apply in our daily life various such healthy habits for us, for our pocket very often, but for environmental protection as well. So the Green Report podcast is one of our successful projects. We are already on the fourth season already. Then we have the Green Report conferences, also in this field, and let’s not forget the projects of the Green Revolution association, which are countless. Among them, I would mention, with great pride, because I see that the mentality of Romanians is changing, is the bike sharing project, which we have already had for 17 years. Thus, 1.8 million unique users accepted the bicycle as an alternative means of transport.”

The bottom line is that the responsibility for environmental protection is not singular, it does not belong to one man or one nation.

“I think it’s a joint effort, not only to raise awareness, but also to take action. I think we’ve reached that point in our lives where we can’t just sit on the sidelines and observe, we have to act. And I think that the Gala Green Report is one of the things that shows that there are people who do that. But it depends on us, every day, on the choices we make.”

The jury of the Green Report Gala consists of leading specialists, including leaders of Big 4 companies and sustainability experts, who will evaluate the projects based on their environmental impact, innovation, and long-term sustainability.

As part of a project worth 800 million euros, thousands of tons of sand were brought from the sea and resettled on the affected sectors, so that their width increased up to 100 meters. Works were also conducted on two small dams, with a significant contribution to the development of marine biodiversity and to reducing the risk of damage or loss of habitats. In addition to the beach sanding works, hydro-technical structures with the role of additional protection and alluvium fixation were also carried out, as well as works to consolidate the cliffs. Also, specialists intend to plant sea grass on an area of ​​almost 800 thousand square meters, in order to ensure the protection of the biodiversity of the Black Sea water and increase its quality, according to a press release of the Romanian Waters company. The idea belongs to a group of British scientists and is promoted worldwide. Sea grass is the only flowering plant in the world that can pollinate underwater. In addition to the fact that it provides a habitat for many marine species, it also captures carbon 35 times faster than a tropical forest, experts in the field said.

Researcher Florin Zăinescu: “More than a third of the Black Sea beaches that are eroded are found in Romania. It is not the climate element that favors this erosion. If we look at the data and the dynamics of sediment, we will see that erosion is rather amplified by human interventions. What brought about this situation? First, there is the construction of large ports, such as Midia Năvodari, north of Mamaia, or Constanța Port, which influenced the dynamics of the sediment. On the Romanian Black Sea coast, sediment travels from north to south, due to the waves coming from the northeast, and a large pier that extends into the sea blocks the sediment and no longer allows the beaches to be fed, to grow naturally. Sediment is like food for these beaches. Another human intervention that leads to this phenomenon is landslides, which means that we intervene at the level of the cliffs. These cliffs are a natural source of sediment for the beach, and if we cement them, stabilize them, then the beaches will no longer be fed with this sediment.”

After the completion of the project, the inhabitants of the Romanian coast area will be more protected, and tourists will be able to enjoy a wider and more modern beach. Moreover, the project will also have major positive effects in the social and economic field, and business operators in the area will carry out their activity under the best conditions, officials with the Romanian Waters Company say.

We asked Florin Zăinescu to tell us the advantages and disadvantages of widening the beaches: “The fact that we have a wider beach with more sediment is like having a buffer zone that can protect constructions and human activities from the sea. Then we have advantages like the space that is created for people, for recreational purposes. A wider beach means we can accommodate more visitors, we have more activities on the sand and that is why they are preferable to narrow beaches. As for disadvantages, we can talk about the less attractive appearance of the beaches and the coarser sand, which is sometimes also full of shells. It seems that this intervention that brought coarser sand also causes a change in the morphology of the beach. Before, the slope was much smoother, that is, we entered the water and the depth of the water decreased progressively. It is much steeper now and much deeper if we go forward, and that seems to increase the risk for swimmers and it also favors the formation of stronger currents. Last but not least, these interventions also have a significant ecological impact, so it is a strongly disturbed environment, both where the sediment is taken from, but also where it is relocated.”

In addition to planting sea grass, the biodiversity part of the project has another component, namely the maintenance and development of habitats for two species of clams (Donacilla Cornea and Donax Trunculus). In this respect, a pilot test was done to see if the clams survive a relocation process. It was a 100% success. The area where these shells develop will be expanded. “We have beaches that require artificial support, like a sick person who is continuously connected to the machines that ensure vital functions, because the natural sources of sediment have been disconnected due to human activities. We continue to address the effects and not the causes of the disease. This involves additional costs and effects that can be undesirable for tourists, as well as a vulnerability to climate change”, researcher Florin Zăinescu concluded.

A number of 60 artificial nests will be placed on high voltage poles in the south of the country this year, the Romanian Ornithological Society has announced. The first nine nests had already been mounted on poles by mid-April, based on a partnership with Transelectrica, in several places in Dobruja and Bărăgan. The measure is part of an international protection project of the Danube falcon, a species included on the Red List of endangered species in both Romania and Bulgaria. This measure is needed because, from the observations made in other areas where the falcon lives, an important element for population growth is the availability of nests, since these birds do not build their own nest, but occupy the nests of other species.

The nest is built after a model used in similar projects in Europe. It is made of aluminum, has a volume of 0.2 cubic meters and weighs approximately 8 kg. It has a metal net at the base, which prevents the accumulation of rainwater, over which a protective layer of gravel was laid. The artificial nest can also be occupied by other species of birds of prey. One of the advantages of these nests is that they offer a permanent nesting place, compared to natural nests that are periodically removed to prevent potential damage to the power lines, an activity carried out by the relevant companies outside the nesting season, according to Romanian ornithologists. At the same time, power lines provide protection against nest poaching, a major threat to many species of birds of prey, including the Danube falcon.

In addition, human disturbance near the nests, which can lead to reproductive failure, is also avoided. If adults leave their eggs or chicks unattended due to disturbance, they may die or be eaten by other animals. On the other hand, in the 1980s, 1990s of the last century and the beginning of the 2000s, the robbing of nests represented one of the major threats to the Danube falcon, causing its rapid decline in Bulgaria, where the eggs and chicks were traded illegally. Alida Barbu, with the Romanian Ornithological Society, tells us why this species is important: (track): “All natural species are important. The endangered ones, which are very close to disappearing from nature at some point, require but greater conservation efforts on our part. The ecosystem has a reduced number of species, and an even smaller number of species that adapt to a poorer habitat, which means a less healthy ecosystem and less resistance to change. That is why, at least at the European level, considerable efforts are being made to increase the number of breeding pairs of Danube falcons. We have two sub-populations: in the south-east of Romania and in the west of Romania. In the ecosystems where they live, or used to live, because it was a relatively common species in Romania in the past, its importance is given by the fact that it is a specialized predator, a top predator, located somewhere at the top of the trophic chain, and its presence in a certain habitat tells us that it is a rich habitat, a healthy steppe habitat, able to support a species as specialized as the Danube falcon”.

In the following months, the project will be further developed in the same area, the placement of artificial nests taking place both in the Nature 2000 sites included in the LIFE for Falcons project, and in their vicinity.  The project “Ensuring the recovery of the Danube falcon population, an endangered species in Bulgaria and southern Romania” has a duration of 5 years and is co-financed by the LIFE Program of the European Union. Among the falcon species present in Romania, we can say that the Danube falcons are so rare that we could count them on our fingers.  A nesting species in the south and east of the European continent, it prefers open, arid, steppe areas. It is a large, powerful, but agile and fast falcon, very aggressive and persistent in chasing its prey. All these qualities drew the admiration of the people, the bird even receiving the name of sacred falcon, but it also caused its decline. Since 2004, the Romanian Ornithological Society has been involved in several projects for this species. The almost two decades of constant monitoring have shown that constant measures are needed to ensure its survival. The current project is developed on four pillars: protection against poaching, poisoning and electrocution, improvement of food resources, protection of nesting areas and support for local communities. (EE)

Noise has increasingly become a challenge to modern societies, one that can cause serious health issues, such as heart and circulatory diseases, caused by long-term physiological and emotional effects, as well as a reduction in the quality of sleep. Noise, everyone knows, is annoying, disturbing and stressful. Few people can adapt to a noise-polluted environment, and in big cities housing in quiet areas is hard to find and often more expensive. But who produces this noise: primarily traffic – road, rail and air. In cars, noise pollution comes from the interaction of the tires with the road when accelerating or decelerating. We also have engine noises and the sound produced by air friction, depending on how aerodynamic the car is. The situation is similar for trains, while for airplanes the main problem is during take-off and landing. Other sources of noise are industrial installations. The construction sector is also a source of noise pollution. In turn, the speed and direction of the wind, as well as the air temperature, can modify the trajectory of the sound waves, and as a result they can influence their propagation much further from the initial source.

After transport and industry, individual human activities also come with a strong sound impact, says Alex Luchiian, Community Lead at pulse.eco, a noise monitoring platform. From this position, he manages and develops the information platform for Romania, by involving members in collecting and sharing data about the environment. Almost every action in modern society produces noise pollution, starting with mowing the lawn, automatically watering the flowers, washing the car. As well as everything that means actions to create comfort – compressors for air conditioning, central heating. Or through household appliances – washing machines, dryers, vacuum cleaners, refrigerators. Or through recreational activities: boat engines, ski jets and other marine vehicles that produce noise in aquatic environments, affecting aquatic fauna and coastal communities. In addition to these, we also pollute through entertainment – concerts, festivals, night clubs and other social events. Or through sporting events: stadiums and arenas can emit loud noises during matches, disrupting the surrounding communities. In Romania, Alex Luchiian shows in a material published online, almost 4 million people are exposed to a high level of noise produced by road traffic during the day and almost 3 million during the night. Almost 150,000 people are exposed to a high level of noise from rail traffic during the day and 133,000 at night. About 20,000 Romanians are affected by exposure to loud noises produced by air traffic, both day and night.

Romania is the worst in Europe when it comes to industrial noise pollution, with all the decline recorded by this economic branch. However, noise levels are increasing all over the world and this is having an impact on our health. Noise can be defined as a disordered combination of sounds with different frequencies and intensities, transmitted through the mechanical vibrations of the environment, which creates an uncomfortable, tiring and unpleasant sensation. It is measured in decibels and the value of 80 represents a threshold above which sound intensity becomes harmful. Excessive exposure to intense noise, especially over long periods of time, can lead to eardrum damage or even deafness. Long-term exposure to ambient noise is estimated to cause 12,000 premature deaths and contribute to 48,000 new cases of ischemic heart disease per year in Europe.

More than 22 million people suffer from high levels of chronic stress and 6.5 million people suffer from chronic high sleep disorders. However, it is likely that these health effects are underestimated and the reality is much worse. Noise pollution not only affects us but also wildlife. Anthropogenic noise causes a range of physiological and behavioral responses in terrestrial and marine animals, which can lead to reduced reproductive success, increased risk of mortality and emigration, resulting in population decline. Some solutions for reducing the sound level in cities: sound-absorbing asphalt, pedestrian streets, bike lanes, electric vehicles. In the railway area – the use of silent freight trains, the total ban on the use of wagons that do not comply with European regulations, the installation of silent brakes on passenger trains. In air traffic – modification of flight schedules and routes. As a conclusion – noise reduction is an important component of the “green transition”, towards a more sustainable way of life. (MI)

People live more and more in cities, and this must be taken seriously into account when designing and managing them. The big metropolitan areas face big economic, social, health, environmental, food, and transportation problems. An older concept is brought back into focus today, namely: “the 15-minute city”. Its ultimate goal is, very briefly, for people to have at hand almost everything they need, making an effort of traveling for a maximum of a quarter of an hour. Vlad Zamfira – specialist in climate change and sustainable policies – describes the context:

“The cities we live in occupy only 2% of the earth’s surface, while they host half of the world’s population. They are responsible for 75% of global energy consumption, 80% of carbon emissions and hold 80% of global GDP. Estimates show that, by 2050, almost 70% of the population will live in these cities. At the same time, cities have a major impact on the lives of their inhabitants, but also on natural ecosystems, so it is important that their development is sustainable: that is, we can cover our present needs without jeopardizing the needs of future generations to ensure their livelihoods. Are ’15-minute cities a viable option? And what are they? It’s a simple concept, a concise and easy-to-remember term that represents a set of principles by which cities should be built. In a nutshell, this model involves having access to all basic services and more, such as shops , parks, schools and kindergartens, in a short time, less than 15 minutes on foot or by bike. What are the principles that guide the founder of 15-minute cities, Carlos Moreno? One – ecology – for a green and sustainable city. Two – proximity – living within walking distance of all other activities. Three – solidarity – to create connections between people. Four – participation – citizens should be involved in planning. In such localities, the prioritization of transportation methods is reversed compared to the current one. If at the moment the personal car is the basis of transportation, and the way we design and build cities, in the ’15-minute cities’ it would be on the back burner. Pedestrians and micromobility are in the foreground. Next comes public transport, and then sharing vehicles, which help to increase the number of users per vehicle and decrease the dependence on a personal vehicle.”

But the key word is “sustainability”. For this to exist, we look at 3 main categories: People – to be sustainable, a city must have a positive social impact, and consider the health of its inhabitants and all social classes. The planet – sustainable cities not only do not affect the environment, but they actually have a positive impact on it. Profit – the economic aspect cannot be neglected, in the long term cities cannot be sustainable if they cannot support themselves financially.

Who wins and who can lose from the application of the ’15-minute city’ concept? People are the main winners! According to studies, there is a direct correlation between the number of daily steps and obesity. One of them also shows that cities that are more pedestrian-friendly also have a lower obesity rate. In Romania, several sources show that the obesity rate is between 20 and 25% – this has increased from 14%, as it was in 1997. Then: less noise pollution. Many cars are very noisy. In a quiet city people are more productive and mentally healthy. And businesses benefit: you’re much more likely to stop at a store when you’re walking or cycling than when you’re speeding by. Studies show that on streets where pedestrians have been prioritized, local business revenues have increased beyond expectations.

Who has to lose? One of the effects of the transition to ’15-minute cities’ is the decrease in dependence on cars – something that directly affects a sector that supports, in certain areas, a significant part of the labor market. Returning to Bucharest, this is a city of contrasts, and the same applies to transportation. There are routes where you have easy access to the metro, tram or bus – which are separated from traffic, which makes them predictable and often the fastest option. At the same time, there are many other routes where to get from point A to point B using public transportation, you have to change several lines, which adds extra time to the journey. At the moment, in the capital of Romania, each sector is rebuilding streets according to internal decisions, not having a city-wide strategy. We see this problem not only at the level of Bucharest, but generally at the level of the entire administrative apparatus – lack of communication or faulty communication. The lack of adequate infrastructure for public transportation, the poor quality of most means of transportation and the lack of efficient connections are the main reasons why Romanians prefer to use their personal car, even for short distances. On the other hand, personal status is another important reason why Romanians drive, because in Romania public transport is associated with lower incomes, unlike other countries. The data and ideas presented come from an online material created by Romanian engineers Dalia Stoian – specialist in sustainable solar solutions – and Claudiu Butacu – specialist in renewable energy.

Romania has all the resources – forests, wood, processing capacities, specialists and schools – to enter the leading platoon of countries taking important steps to reduce carbon emissions in the construction sector. This statement belongs to the Association of Foresters in Romania (ASFOR), which explains in a press release how the use of wood in construction can contribute to achieving the ambitious climate objectives of the European Union. These include offsetting greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and, subsequently, reaching negative emissions. In this sense, the sector in question presents a major challenge. According to the action plan for the circular economy of 2020, constructions are responsible for over 35% of total waste, and for 5 to 12% of total emissions in the European Union. And wood products can help transform the sector from a source of emissions into a carbon sink. The promotion of carbon storage products is fully compatible with the principle of technological neutrality, Romanian foresters show, citing community sources.

ASFOR’s president, Ciprian Muscă, explains what the mechanism is:

“The construction sector is one of the sectors that have a fairly high contribution in terms of carbon emissions, through the materials that are used. At the level of European states, a series of measures for carbon absorption and storage have been implemented. We, both in Romania and in the European Union, have at hand a resource that can help us, and that can actively participate in the achievement of these goals. And it is the forest! Basically, the forest acts as a carbon absorber that it stores in the wood, and later by processing and transforming the wood into construction materials, it ensures its storage for a very, very long time. So, basically, by using wood in new constructions we manage to achieve our part of carbon storage, and reach the neutrality targets that we have set for ourselves as members of the community, and that Europe has set for itself to achieve by 2030 There must always be a fair balance between the economic, social, and environmental sides. That is, in terms of the wood harvesting we do, at least at the level of Romania, because Romania is one of the few European states that harvests wood according to 10-year programs, according to forestry arrangements. And we only harvest the annual growth of the forest, so we don’t harvest more than the forest can produce.”

In support of what was said, the Romanian foresters also recall the fact that, last month, the Commission for the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) of the European Parliament launched the draft report ‘A new European strategy for 2030 – Sustainable management of forests in Europe’. The document refers to ‘adopting a holistic approach that takes into account the multifunctionality of forests, including carbon storage in forest biomass and wood products’ and ‘creating a regulatory framework that recognizes the lower carbon footprint of forest products compared to alternative materials’. In the same context, the Romanian foresters bring back to our attention a document called ‘Green Romania in 10 steps’, which also contains a chapter on wooden constructions. It calls on the public authorities to build passive wooden houses, and to use at least 10% wood in all constructions made with public funds. At the same time, through the Wooden House program – the foresters request that individuals be financially supported to build constructions with this material, as well as legal entities for headquarters, technical spaces, and spaces for trade and production. All this can only be done, however, through cuttings from the forest, and in Romania the subject is very sensitive. Many environmental associations have drawn attention to illegal or abusive deforestation and logging.

Here is what Ciprian Muscă says:

“I would first start with the term deforestation. What does deforestation mean? Tree cutting, forest removal, and change of usage category. That is, we can have, for example, deforestation during the construction of a highway. Otherwise we cannot talk about deforestation. Here, in Romania, we do not have deforestation, except strictly in the case of large infrastructure projects. Regarding illegal logging, we as participants in the forest sector are also making efforts to remove them, and get rid of those who are still doing illegal things and causing damage to the forest. We have this SUMAL 2.0 computer system, which is unique in Europe, and which practically ensures the traceability of the timber from the forest to the warehouse. It is a system made available to the population. Any Romanian citizen who wants to check a timber shipment can do so. It also has photos of the shipment. If they have suspicions, or if they find that the transport is illegal, they can call the 112 emergency line. So, in terms of exploiting and transporting timber, transparency is total.”

Recently, the Romanian Government took new measures to discourage all attempts at fraud and wood theft. It is mainly about tougher sanctions, based on the principle of proportionality, a principle also required by the European Union.

Mankind, or at least part of it, seems increasingly aware of the fact that the implementation of climate policies, aimed mainly at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, is vital and urgent. Global warming cannot be denied anymore and its effects are now visible to the bare eye, almost everywhere. The Earth has recently exceeded 1.5° degrees Celsius of global warming compared to its level in the pre-industrial period, according to data from the UKs National Weather Service. This is a critical threshold that scientists have long warned could cause irreversible effects: heat waves, including marine ones, severe drought and flooding and an accelerated rise in sea level. In this respect, data from NASA shows an increase of about 10 cm in the level of the Planetary Ocean in three decades alone. Another effects of the global warming are an increased extinction of species, worse food and water shortages, increased spread of disease and a destabilization of the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets.

To prevent or at least limit all these, global greenhouse gas emissions need to go down by around 45% from the 2010 levels by 2030 and reach zero level by 2050. The various combinations of actions that could lead to these results, according to the “Infoclima” website, are: phasing out fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas, as quickly as possible and replace them with clean energy sources such as wind, solar, geothermal and advanced nuclear power; significantly increasing energy efficiency in buildings, transport and industry, to reduce energy demand and stepping up efforts to eliminate carbon; reducing deforestation and restoring forests and other natural carbon sinks; switching to electric vehicles and introducing more walking, cycling and public transport use; reducing material waste, food loss and changing the diet to plant-based food; switching industrial processes for alternatives with low carbon emissions and investing in carbon capture by large emitters such as factories and power plants.

There is no universal solution and local and regional approaches can only have partial results. Consequently, the effort must be global, and the year 2024 promises to be very rich in international meetings on environmental topics, in an attempt to find common ground on what needs to be done.

Here are some of the highlights: The year kicked off with the virtual IRENA Conference, which will be followed in April by a physical one in Abu Dhabi, in parallel with the World Future Energy Summit. IRENA – International Renewable Energy Agency – is an intergovernmental organization mandated to facilitate cooperation, advance knowledge, and promote the adoption and sustainable use of renewable energy. Last year it brought together world leaders and energy decision-makers in a conference to take stock of operational plans and policies, and highlight actions taken to implement the energy transition around the world. The eighth International Conference on Climate Change will be held next month in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and the main theme is finding effective and innovative solutions to achieve global net zero. Other topics will be: impact assessment on various ecosystems, technical, economic and social responses to climate change, climate change and health, agriculture and food security, etc. The tenth edition of the World Water Forum will follow in March in Bali, Indonesia, an important event organized by the UN, and aimed at finding concrete solutions to meet the challenges in the field, especially on the African continent and in the Middle East region.

A month later, the International Conference on Climate Change: Impact and Responses will be organized in the French town of Pau. It is the 16th edition, dominated by a shared concern for science and social responses to climate change. Later in the fall, in October, there will be the third World Conference on Climate Change and Sustainability, this time in Barcelona, Spain. Climatologists, biologists, agronomists, energy experts, but also important people from various industries and government organizations will participate, writes the Romanian website Infoclima. Finally, the big climate event of 2024 will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, an OPEC Plus member country. It will host COP 29, which will have to find solutions to the range of policies and measures proposed at COP 28 Dubai, which were postponed, and where negotiations have been extremely difficult and with few concrete results. All are taking place in a highly volatile international political context, with two major crises – Ukraine and Gaza – potentially seriously affecting everyones environmental efforts.

The existing onshore wind capacity in Romania could allow the generation of twice the amount of electricity than the current consumption. Even with the existing spatial constraints, and having an approach oriented towards optimizing the financial efficiency of the projects, we can generate approximately 123 TWh by harnessing the potential of just five counties. The data are contained in a recent study, analyzed by Ioana Csatlos – General Manager for EfdeN – an NGO specialized in urban regeneration, energy efficiency, and green architecture. The energy mix for electricity production in Romania looks quite balanced, with hydro production supplying 32%, followed by nuclear (20%), hydrocarbons (17%), coal (15%), wind (13%), solar (2%), and biomass (1%). These data, provided by the Transelectrica company, still indicate a quite high share of production based on fossil fuels, with coal and hydrocarbon power plants being responsible for a total contribution of around 32%. However, we also see a fairly important share of electricity coming from wind sources. This fact is due to the existing wind capacity in Romania, and the objective set by Romania for 2030 regarding the generation of electricity from wind sources, of up to 54%. Given this context, it is useful to ask how much we can still increase wind generation and where these resources are. A study published by the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) in October 2023 details the exact places where the location of wind turbines would not only allow the exploitation of an important energy potential, but would also take into account spatial limitations (such as protected natural areas, built environments, points with network access etc).

Here is Ioana Csatlos: “The discussion is about how to do this, how to produce wind power without affecting the natural environment. And here I would like to discuss perhaps three aspects: the first is the predictable and transparent legal framework, because the establishment of a detailed and durable legislation can, of course, attract international or national, maybe even local, investments. And this would be a major factor in the decision to invest in Romania in such projects. Secondly, of course, there is protection of biodiversity, which surely must not be neglected, but it must be carried out with the involvement of experts, specialists, to be able to ensure that we minimize this negative impact on nature. Because there are in question the migration corridors of birds, their habitats, which can be affected if we dont do it right, with the involvement of specialists. And thirdly, what seems to us very important would be the involvement of local communities, because here we can talk about the footprint of these projects, maybe even the visual footprint, and I think that the transmission of the benefits and, I dont know, maybe the development of co-participation schemes with direct benefits for the local community – economic, social – could increase this participation. Because people would understand better what it is about. And, of course, in order to make decisions embraced by the majority, all actors should be involved and consulted, and understand both the constraints and the benefits. If we sit together at the same table, so to speak, I think we can find solutions that in the long run will allow us to use modern technology without affecting future generations. Were talking about sustainability, after all.”

When discussing wind potential we have to take into account two important technical aspects: the potential – how much wind is blowing and the Full Load Hours (FLH) indicator – the total number of working hours / energy production in a year. Having these indicators as the basis of the analyzes made, but also many others, those from the AIT, highlight five counties in Romania with a significant potential for the development of projects of this type. Here, even in the most pessimistic scenario in terms of production potential, we cover twice the current electricity consumption of the whole of Romania. But this indicates that we can talk about a harnessing of the onshore wind potential that takes into account all the important aspects (bird migration routes, natural protected areas, agricultural regeneration), and still allows generation to increase in a substantial way. In addition, Ioana Csatlos writes, the price simulations show that, if we prioritize and exploit the wind potential, the electricity obtained will be cheaper. All these calculations refer to onshore wind turbines, without taking into account the offshore potential in the Black Sea. Recently, the Bucharest government took an important step in the direction of promoting renewable energy, by approving the draft Law on Offshore Wind Energy, which was sent to Parliament for adoption.

According to a press release from the Ministry Energy, The adoption of a legislative framework for starting the exploitation of Romanias offshore wind resources is a vital step in ensuring the energy independence and resilience of the country, being, at the same time, a commitment in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.. According to the quoted source, World Bank data show that Romania has an offshore wind potential of 76 GW of installed power, being a favorable environment for the development of this type of renewable energy. Through this project, Romania is making progress in achieving the desired transition and decarbonization of its energy system, as well as in consolidating its status as a regional leader in the energy field. We are talking about investments of billions of euros, says the Minister of Energy, Sebastian Burduja. He specified that, in the drafting of this law, the Romanian specialists consulted, among others, the US State Department, as well as European countries, such as the Netherlands.

Soil erosion is becoming an urgent environmental problem in the Carpathian Mountains, which is already compromising biodiversity and natural habitats, points out Aritina Haliuc, postdoctoral researcher at the University of Bordeaux, France. She refers to two recently published studies that analyzed soil erosion in two mountain basins in the Carpathians: Lacul Roșu (Red Lake) and Lacul Ighiel. Specifically, they measured how much sediment reaches the bottom of these lakes over a period of a century, and what the connection is with the climate, and the presence of people. Both researches showed that erosion accelerates with the intensification of human activities. In addition to the effects at the ecosystem level, especially for Red Lake, the increased sediment supply also led to the accelerated clogging of the water, a process that affects the lifespan of the lake. What exactly is erosion? Vlad Zamfira, from the Infoclima website, which published the material we are referring to, tells us:

For the last 100 years, we have noticed, in mountain basins, that erosion is accelerating with the intensification of human activities, and namely cutting down trees and overgrazing. In the Carpathians, the conversion of natural ecosystems to pastures means fewer plants, therefore unstable soil, which is susceptible to erosion, leading to landscape degradation. In the current context of climate change, where temperature fluctuations, but also droughts and floods contribute, soil erosion is accelerating. Projections show that the process will increase by 13% to over 22% in the European Union by 2050. But what is erosion? The relief forms: mountains, hills, plains, valleys which we observe today, are the result of the erosion processes that polished the land over time. Erosion is the geological process by which the soil is broken down, detached and transported by the forces of nature, such as water, ice, or wind. There are two main types of erosion, namely chemical and physical. Chemical erosion occurs when the chemical composition of a rock changes, while physical erosion is what breaks down rocks while their chemical composition remains the same. For example, landslides or mudflows are caused by physical erosion. The high regions of the Carpathians are prone to soil erosion due to both the rugged relief and heavy rainfall. Deforestation, overgrazing, and wildfires lead to soil degradation, loss of biodiversity and fertility, and increased risk of landslides and flooding downstream in lower areas.

Through erosion, rocks become smaller, smoother, and easier to transport. Both water and ice contribute to physical erosion, because their movement forces rocks to break away or collide. Also, the wind is a powerful agent of erosion, transporting dust, sand, ash and other remains over long distances, explains Aritina Haliuc. Erosion depends on climate, topography, vegetation, tectonic activity, and human actions. The climate, through precipitation, wind, and the freeze-thaw process, causes the erosion of the landscape. Vegetation can slow the impact of erosion. The roots of trees, shrubs, and other plants stabilize the soil and prevent sediment transport and can limit the impact of landslides. In the Carpathian highlands, where the vegetation cover is thin and discontinuous, even a low erosion rate leads to irreversible soil loss, causing landscape degradation and the loss of natural ecosystem benefits. On the other hand, the Romanian Carpathians (and not only) are susceptible to wildfires. They can have devastating effects on mountain ecosystems, especially fragile ones, and can lead to the loss of natural habitats, the destruction of biodiversity, and even threaten the safety of communities near the affected areas. Moreover, fires, especially in high areas, increase the risk of natural hazards such as landslides, floods and mudslides. In the Carpathians, as the climate models show us, the increase in precipitation in a short period of time, but also the increase in temperatures, and the longer warm seasons as a result of climate change should worry us, concludes the Romanian researcher from the University of Bordeaux.

Both at the national and international level, there are a number of initiatives and strategies aimed at limiting and preventing soil erosion. For example, the Soil Conservation Law – which imposes a series of measures for the proper use of land, reduction of erosion and prevention of degradation. There is also the National Rural Development Program – a grant program from the EU that supports the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices. At the European level, there is also the Union’s soil strategy, which aims to monitor and promote their sustainable management. Finally, at the regional level, the Carpathian Convention, an international treaty adopted in 2003 by Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine, Hungary, Romania and the Czech Republic, aims to promote sustainable development and environmental protection in the Carpathian mountains. There are also foundations and local organizations that fight for the protection of the natural fund by limiting deforestation, establishing natural parks, monitoring and evaluating the affected areas, and educating the local population.