We explain - Zeme un valsts
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Latest articles

Latvijas Banka issues a symbolic collector coin, "Chestnut"
The European Innovation Act and the forest bioeconomy – what can Latvian forestry gain from it?
The “Trojan Horse” of Turkish Plywood – Growing Concerns Among European Timber Producers
Nature Conservation Agency invites donations for the restoration of nature tourism infrastructure damaged by the storm

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

A lighter note

“Why are the trees here so big?”

VIDEO

Collector coin “Chestnut”
Trees on agricultural land – perennial plantations, short-rotation coppice or agroforestry?!
The Baltics in the Kremlin's sights. How serious is the threat?

We explain

What can be done to avoid throwing away food after the holidays?
Forget about your carbon footprint! What matters is the climate shadow you cast...
Faculty of Forest students explore the daily routine of timber truck drivers
Why one should not* say “animals and birds”, or the confusion of zoological terms
eAgronom partners with local farms, combining efforts in profitability and sustainability
Combating African swine fever in Sweden: cooperation between hunters and authorities
What is the future of effective conservation measures in the context of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030?
What opportunities science offers Latvian foresters
Life through grey-tinted glasses: how people in Latvia react to the destructive stories about Latvia's failures by “Sputnik Latvija”
FACE Baltic States Forum. Issues, current trends and solutions
Creating value from carbon dioxide, or the CO₂ bioeconomy
Significant agreement reached in the EU on the Nature Restoration Law
Boreal forest areas may shrink. Climate is “pushing” them northwards
There is no “Green Deal” without social justice…
Forest management requirements should not be applied identically to all European Union member states
Eurofound report: European rural regions lag behind in terms of income and future prospects
Ants can reduce damage caused by bark beetles to forests
Which EU country wins the economic pentathlon?
Who should be responsible for waste management in Latvia?
The European Green Deal – a small carrot, a big stick
Changing approaches to nature conservation methods: carbon pricing solutions
Eight well-known uses for cellulose. Could we get by without them in our daily lives?
Unmanned aerial vehicles now part of daily operations at Latvijas valsts meži
On the economics and trends of climate change mitigation
How to ensure the conservation of ecosystems in your immediate vicinity? Advice for residents in Western countries
This is a favourable moment to restore justice
Why must the new head of the European Investment Bank (EIB) prioritise basic human needs?
Five tips for successful afforestation
Who is 'Mednis' for? Hunters or VMD inspectors?
Insectageddon, the eruption of civilisation. “...At the same time, it should be pointed out that insects exhibit much greater plasticity than mammal or bird populations...”
Western shadows from the East. “...Chinese communism was initially a response to the colonialism of European empires...”
EU to review wolf protection status. Ursula von der Leyen warns of real danger
Biased damage to business
Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra sparks surprise as new European Union climate commissioner
Nature-based carbon offsets are vital on the path to net-zero emissions
Growth in products replacing meat and milk
Why is it important to become sustainable in business?
Cleaning up or removing storm-damaged notable trees must be authorised
How are carbon credits issued?
Inflation rate in Europe in June 2023
Vitiforestry. How do trees protect vineyards from heatwaves and frost?
Citizens of only one EU country believe their government is doing enough to tackle the climate crisis
How quickly do countries around the world use up natural resources?
And then many remember the hunters...
Will the return of gradual felling to forestry thinking and practice help make it closer to nature?
What is Vision Zero?
Study reveals that a luxury goods carbon tax is a fairer and more effective way to reduce emissions
For the first time in nearly 40 years, a nesting pair of little owls has been recorded in Latvia
Rollercoaster shifts the playing field in forestry
Why is there no requirement to report greenhouse gas emissions generated by the military sector?
Latvian agricultural NGOs call on MEPs not to support hasty and unrealistic proposals for the Nature Restoration Regulation
On pigs, monkeys and humans. "Human-animal chimeras have been used in various biomedical studies for several years."
Global forest loss continued to rise in 2022
The number and intensity of forest fires are increasing worldwide
Heatwaves: European capitals with the highest risk for the elderly
Using forest roads for easier traffic flow
Paris Summit for a New Global Financing Pact. EU contribution to climate action
Despite international commitments to end deforestation, it increased in the tropics in 2022
Central and Eastern European countries are veering off course from meeting 2030 climate targets, says report
Swedish journalists' investigation into H&M's used clothing recycling
Timber from Belarus and Russia is not appearing on the market. Wood pellet prices in Europe are falling
Timber market and forest industry may face 'surprises' in the near future
Effective action against wildlife trafficking. Debate in the European Parliament
What next? The timeline of European climate and energy policy
In EP Environment Committee, MEPs do not support the Nature Restoration Law. What next?
Fruit and berry growers in Latvia on the brink
It is going to happen! The best and worst-case scenarios
Five facts about bilberries. Both delicious and a biodiversity indicator
Time for a final push to reach an EU-Mercosur* deal. Risk – deforestation in South America
The CO₂ footprint of lab-grown meat could be larger than that of beef bought in shops
The EU will regret making farmers the scapegoats for climate change
By fertilising, we are making plants lazy. A conversation with researcher Ieviņa Stūrīte
What exactly is included in the EU migration deal?
Share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption by sector (2021)
AI and IoT* can modernise forestry. The "Forest 4.0" initiative
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has a long-term and significant impact on the Nordic timber market region
Research concludes that the EU should not follow the US policy of green subsidy support.
The area of protected marine territories is growing
Where the most plastic pollution in the world's oceans comes from
Promoting zero-waste production, “Stiga RM” invests €0.9 million in more efficient wood residue processing
Foreign investors interested in Latvian forests
Approximately 2.45 billion euros planned to be attracted with the help of “missionLatvia”
Undergrowth. “My friend was a forester. His life and thoughts belonged to the trees”
Why is creating a new legal category of “climate refugees” a bad idea?
What is biochar? Why is its impact on the climate in farms and forests so positive?
Sustainable investment remains the key to growth
Is the end really nigh for “old Europe”?
The climate crisis in our consciousness. “CO2 is plant food, therefore its increase is actually desirable, the authors of the letter state”
Latvian-origin food free from pesticide residues. Latvia – among EU leaders in food safety
African swine fever continues to spread in European countries
Putting a price on nature? Experts consider it unjustifiable
Survey on climate change mitigation. Results
Fewer applications for forest felling permits this year
Representatives of the Ministry of Climate and Energy visit Jelgava
Journalistic investigation points to problems with rainforest carbon offsets
Refill points and deposit schemes. UN goal – to reduce plastic pollution by 80% by 2040
European Parliament supports new rules for sustainable, durable products and a ban on 'green' advertising
Timber industry associations from seven European countries demand changes to the EU’s new forest policy
Harmonising forest data in the EU – a better knowledge base for nature restoration legislation
Satellite data helps to remotely monitor mineral extraction sites
Biochar “wins” the wood innovation competition in Finland
Europe can cut fossil gas consumption by 50% by 2030 without compromising security of supply
Forest, ground, stone, worker and other species of bumblebee. What is worth knowing?
We won't catch up with Estonia and Lithuania in the next 12 years, but perhaps in the next 25?
To promote acceptance of the energy transition, the German Renewable Energy Federation will stimulate energy sharing
How much CO2 does a tree absorb?
Recent report praises Latvia while warning that only 9 EU countries will meet climate targets under fiscal rules
Which countries are best prepared for the transition to green technologies?
Ending deforestation by 2030 will cost 130 billion US dollars annually, claims the Energy Transitions Commission (ETC*)
Average arable land price in Latvia – the lowest in the Baltics
Promoting an animal on social media can cause it serious problems
How does the EU fund the transition to climate neutrality?
I want to dispel some myths that cultivate a skewed perception of banks
How will the bark beetle affect felling prices?
EU adaptation to climate change. Europe is not well prepared for the impact of rising temperatures
Lack of coordination and oversight slows down climate change adaptation in Poland
Bioeconomy: Cross-sectoral coalition established in the EU to promote it
Largest share of tropical timber in EU market observed in at least 15 years
Riga should also respect the interests of people from Jelgava
Pension reform in France: Which European countries have the lowest and highest retirement ages?
Plant intelligence. On researchers' efforts to understand flora.
In the second half of the year, “Rīgas meži” will commence forestry work in Tīreļi Forest District near Jaunmārupe
New annual average salary indicator in the EU
Nuclear energy versus renewable energy. Two irreconcilable opponents in Brussels
Weekly facts. Carbon emissions
Latvian entrepreneur also appears in scheme to legalise sanctioned timber
Research suggests that by the end of the century, the world's population could fall to 6 billion.
How to maintain population numbers in Latvian municipalities?
As the battle against spruce bark beetles begins, the industry remains uncertain about changes in timber prices
Forestry products were the largest cargo group at the Port of Riga last year
“Rīgas meži” plans forest management work in Stopiņi parish, Ropaži municipality, near Dzidriņas
The happiest countries in the world – report published on 20 March
Air pollution: a global health threat
The ecological footprints of corpses. “...There is something challenging about the idea of composting corpses, although it is not at all easy to say exactly what...”
Finland's local resources could easily replace Russian timber
Tropical timber imports are increasing in Europe
EU lawmakers support large fines and prison sentences for environmental crimes
7 myths hindering Ukraine's victory
Native language as a threat. A Finnish expert on how projects for preserving Finno-Ugric languages were liquidated under Putin
What to expect from the new climate change report?
Is there an ethical issue here – continuing trade with an aggressor state?
EU agrees to push for a global phase-out of fossil fuels during COP28 talks
“Rīgas meži” is planning forest maintenance work near Langstiņi, Ropaži municipality
Residents praise greenery maintained by Rīgas meži
Infographics on economic indicators and their forecasts for countries worldwide in 2022
The most profitable investments in luxury goods
Humanising animals too much leads to a loss of understanding of their needs
Wood-burning stove emissions on the rise in the UK
We need to speak clearly!
Missing cats, mauled chickens and a lynx in the yard
Regarding the internal review of long-term logging contracts at a/s “Latvijas valsts meži”
Survey of business leaders in the Baltics: caution has replaced optimism, companies are adapting to new conditions
Latvians and historical Latvians
Fact check: Should we be worried about birds on the streets and birds falling from the sky?
Natural enemies can help prevent damage from the spruce bark beetle. Here is how it works
How Europe reduced its natural gas consumption
In 2022, there was a sharp increase in the export of coniferous sawn timber from Europe to the USA
Pine cone harvesting is nearing its end. How they are grown and collected
FACE and “Jagd Österreich” actively promote hunters' support campaign at the Salzburg exhibition
The European Green Deal in Latvian forestry – doom or an opportunity to adapt?
EU leaders attempt to agree on a response to US “green” subsidies
Nation and nation-building. “It is more interesting to ask what it means to be ‘worthy of independence’...”
We are a decade behind Estonia and Lithuania in development! Why?
Tesla and other electric vehicle manufacturers need batteries. This raises concerns about child exploitation
Fact check: Is the European Union really going to force us to eat insects, and without our knowledge?
Forest management company JP Morgan acquires forest land for 500 million USD
2022. Roundwood price trends in Latvia
Nature conservation plan for Lubāns Wetland being drafted. Residents concerned
New EFI report on wood-based textiles and modern timber buildings
Mercury helps provide a more detailed understanding of Earth's most severe extinction event
Peat soil research refutes previous notions about the thickness of the peat layer in Latvia’s agricultural land
Documentary film "The Heritage of the Bog"
Forestry measures to be carried out in Pokaiņu mežs to limit the spread of the European spruce bark beetle
Forest supervisors must not be kept starving
EU funding in the period up to 2027
Why a Tesla owner would no longer buy a car from Elon Musk
Public generally supports planned forest maintenance work in Mežaparks
Restricting forestry cannot be considered sustainable forest management
Brussels will not ban the use of firewood
Sanctions on Russia force an increase in sawn timber exports to Africa and the Middle East
Six ways to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in forestry and related industries
Beware of Greta Thunberg's new role in the eco-theatre
Latvia does not need to be a European pioneer
What does the new Deforestation Regulation mean for timber industry companies?
A fatter and nastier inner reptile. “Success is not a ready-laid breakfast on the table.”
Earth on Mars. “Mask himself makes no secret of his ambition as a colonist...”
Community conflicts and vague projections: Five essential reasons why carbon offsetting schemes are not working
Kemi (Finland) bioproduct mill project
Representing the interests of Latvian entrepreneurs in the European Union requires strong and knowledgeable people
Germany’s energy transition is full of determination in 2023
The Jēkabpils floods are an unprecedented phenomenon in Latvia
How to determine a company's net-zero target in 7 steps
“Dabā gājējs” podcast: winter hiking and sleeping in the forest
Why do flocks of birds hover and swirl in the sky? A biologist explains the scientific reasoning
FAO: Wood-based product consumption expected to rise by 37% by 2050
What is the most economical way to heat a country house?
Priority – local roads
2023 Insect of the Year - the harlequin ladybird
Plans to invest in six municipalities stall Latvijas valsts meži donations to culture, sport and charity
Profitable Geopolitics. “...It is no secret that state-controlled companies are more convenient...”
Hybrid hope. “Eurobarometer survey shows the highest support for the EU in the last 35 years.”
The rises and falls of wood pellet prices in 2022
“Latvijas valsts meži” restores 61 ha of Kreiči bog
What is climate change? An explanation
The value of ignorance. “...The majority of public servants do not have a single publication in any scientific field, nor a single opinion piece on the national economy...”