On official matters
The State Chancellery is launching a competition for the position of Director General of the Nature Conservation Agency.
Nature conservation across the globe faces new challenges every year, as it seeks a compromise between preserving biodiversity and economic development, which is often linked to the use or destruction of natural resources.
There are currently around 18,000 households in Latvia that have already installed solar panels and are producing 'green' energy for their own consumption. The popularity of solar panels surged, especially in the spring of 2022 – at the moment when Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, resulting in a rapid rise in electricity prices on the market.
On industry issues
Between 2 January and 2 February 2024, the Rural Support Service is inviting project applications for two support measures in the forestry sector. The aim of these activities is to carry out forest planting, restoration and replacement, as well as to provide for the maintenance of planted areas and the thinning of young stands.
At the end of last year, construction work on the seedling sorting and processing complex in the Jaunkalsnava parish was completed and the facility was commissioned. Using wood extensively, the facility includes a seedling sorting and processing complex building covering almost 8,300 square metres, a warehouse building and a landscaped area of two hectares.
In 2023, 167 auctions were successfully concluded on the Forest Exchange, with a total of 10,220 bids placed.
On the Daugavpils University Annual Science Award
The Science Division informs that candidates can be nominated until 23 January this year for the 'Daugavpils University Annual Science Award 2023', 'Daugavpils University Annual Award for a Young Scientist 2023', and 'Daugavpils University Lifetime Achievement Award in Science'.
On forward-looking investments
Strengthening its independence from the availability of raw materials in order to continue developing the production of high-value products, one of Latvia's leading wood industry companies, 'Stiga RM', purchased forest properties covering nearly 1,400 hectares during 2023.
Mārupes Siltumnīcas, widely known for growing long cucumbers all year round and seasonal tomatoes, has announced the opening of its newest greenhouse.
On transport flow changes in Riga
From now on, heavy goods vehicle traffic will be prohibited in both directions on the Stone Bridge (Akmens tilts), on the section of Krasta Street from the Salu Bridge to Ģenerāļa Radziņa Embankment, from Radziņa Embankment to 13.janvāra Street, on the section of 11.novembra Embankment from 13.janvāra Street to the Vansu Bridge, and on the section of Eksporta Street from the Vansu Bridge to Hanzas Street.
On environmental issues
Daugavpils University, in cooperation with the Nature Conservation Agency, has published a list of Latvian moss taxa. Thanks to nature conservation projects and enthusiast researchers, Latvia's leading bryologists have discovered several new moss species and subspecies in recent years as a result of numerous expeditions and studies, which had not been previously recorded.
https://www.lasi.lv/par-svarigo/projekti/zala-latvija-apmezot-parslapinat-vai-parveidot-zalaja.10499
Scientists explain that organic soils are soils rich in organic material – plant and animal remains in various stages of decomposition – soils with organic cells and tissues, as well as soils containing organic synthesis substances.
A rare process has begun in the Baltic Sea: a large-scale influx of salt water from the North Sea. The Baltic Sea is enclosed – like a large lake – and powerful salt water inflows occur rarely. The last time this happened was 10 years ago. These inflows are beneficial for the marine environment, as the salt water also brings with it oxygen, which is in short supply in the Baltic Sea.
With the aim of slowing down the further erosion and washing away of the banks of Lake Rāzna, the Nature Conservation Agency commissioned the commencement of bank reinforcement at the coast near Lipuški in October. A rapid and persistent onset of winter from as early as 6 December prevented the continuation of the construction work, which had originally been planned to be completed by the end of 2023.
The topic of nature conservation in forestry never loses its relevance; its emphases simply shift from time to time. Currently, issues regarding the results of the 'nature census', old-growth forests, the European Green Deal, and others have returned to the agenda.
Odds and ends
Latvia has been nominated for the award by the Association of Finnish Travel Journalists, as our country has long been a popular travel destination for Finns. Finnish tourists value Latvia's architecture, nature, art, and cultural offerings.
Christmas presents and charity parcels prepared by Latvians living in the United Kingdom have still not reached Latvia's low-income and large families because one of the donors wanted to delight a cat as well.
Prussia, the fourth Baltic sister who disappeared from the geopolitical map and whose language has much in common with the Latvian language – this sad story made hearts flutter during the Awakening period, when people first began to speak of it, and it is coming to life again now as linguists suggest calling Kaliningrad by one of its old names – Karaļauči or Königsberg.
https://www.delfi.lv/193/politics/56262710/sabiedrisko-attiecibu-specialists-feders-nejausi-nopludina-sava-biznesa-modeli-zino-de-facto
Jānis Reirs, head of the Saeima Budget Committee, was not in the Saeima this week due to illness; however, in a phone conversation with de facto, he confirmed that although he knows Feders, he has not spoken to or otherwise contacted him since at least the summer. The Ministry of Finance also denied that Feders had spoken with anyone there.
Current affairs in cartoons
 |
 |
 |
 |