Weekly review
Poll
Concern about gaps in the skills and knowledge of our pupils is voiced quite widely from time to time. Unfortunately, only when someone from outside Latvia has concluded as much. Why is that?
There is a political tendency to be busy, to invest, to make promises, but not to think about the results
If you have little knowledge yourself, you do not even know how or what you do not know...
A smart society is not always desirable or welcome
Many interests swirl around education. A "good result" is rarely mentioned among them
27 January – 2 February
Worth knowing! On upcoming important events
Vote for the European Tree of the Year from 1 to 22 February
AS “Latvijas valsts meži” is announcing an open tender for “Management of habitats and sites for protected species”. Applicants may submit their proposals for the tender by 14 February at 10.00 via the electronic procurement system.
Campaign “On the paths of flowers” from 1 February to 30 October
On 23 March , the Faculty of Economics and Social Development at the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies invites alumni of economics, management sciences and social sciences to meet in Jelgava and celebrate the faculty's 55th anniversary together.
On 18-19 April 2024 , the 66th International Scientific Conference of Daugavpils University
...the Minister of Agriculture, Armands Krauze, says that the Ministry of Agriculture is working on all problem areas; some are still in process, while others have already been resolved. LA.LV asked Minister Armands Krauze what the actual situation is regarding the resolution of the demands put forward by the association.
Applications for the position of Rector of LBTU closed on 31 January. The university has received three candidate applications, which will begin to be evaluated by the Rector Candidate Nomination Commission established by the LBTU Council.
The strategy for achieving climate neutrality in Latvia by 2050 envisages the introduction of various instruments at the national level to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere and promote their sequestration. One such tool is a carbon cycle calculator.
...following the reorganisation of LIAA into 20 regional representative offices, previously known as business incubators, entrepreneurs will be able to receive much broader support.
With the aim of reducing the negative impact of labour shortages on economic growth in all sectors of the national economy, and to ease requirements regarding the amount of financial resources needed for foreigners who obtain employment rights, the Cabinet of Ministers approved changes to the regulation on the amount of financial resources required for a foreigner and the verification of the existence of such financial resources during its 30 January meeting.
On industry issues
In 1929, 25.2% of Latvia's total territory was covered by forests. Currently, forests cover 54.7% of Latvia's land. Over the century, we have doubled our ability to provide the planet with oxygen and increase carbon dioxide absorption.
As humanity, we can try to mitigate the consequences of climate change, but we must rather be able to adapt to them—not just by using the forest as a generous ecosystem, but by doing so in a balanced way. Perceiving the forest ecosystem as a massive superorganism about which we still know so little.
Following recent amendments by the Cabinet of Ministers that allow for a reduction in the diameter of final felling in forestry, there are concerns that Latvia may face a new wave of private forest property sales. Many owners are not informed of their mandatory duty to reforest such cleared lands within three years.db.lv · vai drizuma sagaidams jauns privato mezu pardosanas vilnis l…
Following recent amendments by the Cabinet of Ministers that allow for a reduction in the diameter of final felling in forestry, there are concerns that Latvia may face a new wave of private forest property sales. Many owners are not informed of their mandatory duty to reforest such cleared lands within three years.
The share of Latvian peat product exports in global exports in 2022 was 19.9% by volume. In other words, every fifth tonne of imported peat on the world market comes from Latvia.
More than 3,000 children's creative works on the theme “With birds in the forest” were received for the annual “Forest Days” sticker competition held by “Latvijas valsts meži”.
Spruce is the second most common conifer species in Latvia, but for various reasons, including climate change, its cultivation for timber production has become one of the problems that foresters have to solve.
On science
To Dr. biol. Roberts Matisons (LFI “Silava”) – the Kaspars Bušs award in forest ecology and silviculture for significant contributions to Latvian forest science and his work in studying the adaptation potential of forest tree populations.
In order to promote the early introduction of hydrogen-powered aircraft in the Baltic Sea region and prepare airports for the storage, handling, and supply of green hydrogen, the international project BSR HyAirport was launched in November 2023.
The project is the first step taken by independent Latvia in the study of its agricultural soil and is a clear example of how Latvian scientists can make a real contribution to practical agriculture.
On farmers and protests
The protest organised by farmers will begin on 5 February at 11.00 and will take place in 16 Latvian cities. Agricultural machinery will also be used during the protests, so residents should be prepared for potential traffic restrictions...
...there are some industries that are quite worried because Ukraine has different production conditions and lacks the requirements that our farmers have. Ukrainian produce, upon entering Europe, disrupts natural competition and, by producing something more cheaply, it can also be sold more cheaply. This is internal market competition for our producers. The issue, of course, is not that simple—our farmers also support Ukraine without fanfare, both by sending food and other products there and through financial means...
Farmers perceive the new procedure for receiving subsidies in different ways. For example, in the fourth eco-scheme, farmers who use gentle soil cultivation methods can apply for support. Traditional ploughing is not among them.
On post offices
sam.gov.lv · latvijas pasvaldibu savieniba ar satiksmes ministru vienojas…
It is more than clear that people have not been informed about the planned reorganisation of the company Latvijas Pasts, so this process cannot continue. Such drastic changes are unacceptable if people do not even know what will happen to the services previously available at the branches, including pension payments and the making of utility payments.
lsm.lv · 01.02.2024 latvijas pasts aptur planu slegt desmitiem nodalu…
The company had intended to reorganise dozens of branches throughout the country, which would have involved the closure of many branches. This sparked public outrage. The Ministry of Transport instructed the Latvijas Pasts Council to re-evaluate the plan this year.
On hunting
It also turned out that a large part of the public has an opinion, but they cannot even distinguish deer from roe deer, thinking that roe deer are just small deer without antlers...
In Germany, the wolf is no longer an endangered species; so far, the favourable conservation status of the wolf has been observed, based on the criteria of the Fauna-Flora-Habitat Guideline.
On environmental matters
World Wetlands Day is celebrated on 2 February with various public activities, explaining the importance of wetlands in mitigating climate change. Thematic activities are planned in Latvia throughout February.
In 2023, AS “Latvijas valsts meži” collected and removed almost 1,724 cubic metres of waste from forests, which is significantly more than the year before, causing serious damage to the environment and generating significant costs for LVM.
...environmental organisations have raised objections against the composition of the tender commission, as more say in the evaluation of candidates has been given to sectors that impact the environment, rather than those that protect it.
Over two years, residents have deposited 650 million empty container units at more than 1,400 automated and manual deposit points across Latvia; furthermore, compared to 2022, 74% more packaging was submitted to the system last year.
zz.lv · dabas simboli 2024 gada
The Latvian Museum of Natural History has been choosing an animal of the year for 25 years. The museum started the tradition of putting forward this symbol in the year 2000.
On the colourful, interesting, diverse, and the events that have taken place
Re:Baltica asked the State Security Service (VDD) what the repercussions could be for an MP regarding revelations about direct cooperation with a hostile country's intelligence service. It turns out that only since 2016 does the law provide for liability for assisting a foreign state or foreign organisation in acting against Latvia. It cannot be applied retroactively.
In order to preserve and increase Latvia's natural meadows, the Latvian Fund for Nature created a new brand, “Natural Meadow Product”, in 2023, which was also awarded to Sanita Matule, the owner of the recreational site Dare in Antiņciems, Tukums municipality.
The Plūkt northern herbal tea produced in Latvia, named Blossom, saw a rise in recognition in America at the end of January after American actress Drew Barrymore highlighted the brand as an ideal gift to choose on the e-commerce site Etsy.
Rescuers received a call to Jelgava Palace in the morning. Smoke had formed in the attic of the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies. By the time the rescuers arrived, approximately 500 people had already evacuated the building.
Applying this set of methods over the course of two seasons, it was concluded that the method is effective in various locations—in backyard areas, gardens, and groves—and is also effective in different soils. The effectiveness lies in the fact that the methods complement each other.
Current events in cartoons
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