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The purpose of this paper is to analyse the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), as a significant step forward in the testing of good practices in environmental taxation. The main objective of this mechanism is in fact to shift the focus from the mere obtaining of tax revenues towards the achievement of climate objectives. The European Commission has introduced this tool aware of its leading role in the environmental field, aiming to influence the decisions of third countries in the fight against the global climate emergency. However, the CBAM raises concerns about its potential use as a tool for European market protectionism, creating tensions with the world's main economic players. Despite the critical issues, the CBAM proposal could accelerate the convergence of legal systems and foster scientific evidence regarding the relationship between global warming and greenhouse gas emissions, in addressing global environmental challenges. In a world where global emergencies require global responses, CBAM can therefore become an important tool to prevent the circumvention of law enforcement mechanisms and penalize non-virtuous behavior. In this context, environmental taxation, now supported in many countries by direct constitutional coverage, can play a strategic role in the implementation of international commitments, promoting an ecological transition with an eye to sustainable development and the effective allocation of resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming caused by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is a global problem. Solid municipal waste landfills are the third largest source of artificial methane emissions. Methane is one of the greenhouse gases contributing to global warming. The net zero emissions target was set to strike a balance between emissions and anthropogenic GHG disposal by 2050. Methane emissions from active or closed landfills may be reduced by methane oxidation, which is developed as a coating over these landfills. Methane (CH4) is an important gas that causes greenhouse effects on Earth and has an atmospheric warming potential of 28 times higher than carbon dioxide (CO2). The aim of this study is to find out whether cellulose in the biocover contributes to improving the performance of biocover and to decreasing methane emissions. An experiment was conducted in laboratory conditions that studied the effectiveness of biocover developed in the laboratory. Three experimental columns were created with a diameter of 160 mm and a height of 1500 mm. An active compost saturated with water at a thickness of 500 mm was used as a source of methane, a permeable layer of sand at a thickness of 300 mm was further applied and finally covered with biocover. The first biocover consisted of 50% of fine fraction waste, 50% of clay soil. The second biocover consisted of 40% of fine fraction waste, 40% of clay soil and 20% cellulose (shredded paper). Measurements were performed with the CRDS device, Picarro G2508. The measurements were taken weekly for 5 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Buildings are responsible from 25% to 30% of greenhouse gases production, contributing significantly to global warming. One approach to limiting greenhouse gas production is construction and operation of buildings according to the principles of sustainable construction. There are 113 certified buildings in the Czech Republic. 57% of the total consists of an office building. For this purpose, the LEED and BREEAM global certification programs and one local certification program, SB TOOL CZ, are used in the Czech Republic. The paper deals with the position of environmental certification of office buildings in the Czech Republic. Also impact of certification on the rent of office space is considered. A part of the paper is a case study containing an analysis of 139 office rent offers in the Czech Republic. The analysis also deals the impact of operating costs (service cost) in certified and noncertified buildings. The results suggest that, compared to buildings in the same submarkets, certified buildings have a rental price premium. A questionnaire survey is part of the research as well. The survey deals with priorities for the selection of office area. This survey is carried out for users of green buildings and it is focused to factors of certification. According to survey, multinationals prefer rent of office areas located in certified buildings as well as green solutions generally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The threat caused by the use of generic carbonaceous material for carbothermic reduction to globe has increased. Millions are being invested to protect the environment due to the global warming. A new generation of reductants is urgently sought to mitigate the threat. Biochars improvement for different usages is currently looked at. One of the ways to produce biochar is pyrolysis. The temperature and type of atmosphere in the furnace used play an important role on the quality of biochar produced. The current paper investigates the effect of temperature on the quality of biochar produced from raw palm nutshells through pyrolysis. The temperature was varied from 500°C to 900oC while the size of particles fed into the furnace ranged from 5mm to19mm. The quality of the raw palm nutshell and the biochar were assessed through characterization using proximate analysis and SEM-EDS to quantify the amount of fixed carbon and pores sizes corresponding to different sizes of the palm nutshell treated. The trends of fixed carbon and the change in temperature as well as the pores sizes were assessed in all the biochars produced and the correlation established. A tube furnace was used for the experiments with argon being blown to keep an inert atmosphere and avoid any destruction of carbon. A further correlation between the size of particles and fixed carbon was also assessed and a correlation established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photovoltaic energy systems are an important part of the systems for obtaining energy from renewable sources. Generating electricity from renewable sources is becoming more developed in most countries. The energy produced is fed into the power grid and used both for household as well for industrial. Issues related to pollution and global warming have led to more pronounced development of technologies for producing electricity from wind, solar, hydro, biomass and geothermal. Development and the continuous research it is intended to reduce production costs, distribution and integration. Regardless of the location where we are on Earth, we get a certain number of hours with light. In this paper we focus on grid-connected PV systems installed on two buildings of a coal mine. We present the analysis of a photovoltaic system suitable to a mountainous area and also highlight the implementation issues. The motivation of this paper comes closely related to the increasing awareness about the potential and actual contributions of the solar energy, with environmental, economic and social benefits. Highlighting the potential of the area regarding renewable resources, emphasized the motivation for accomplish this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to present Romanian history of oil and gas industry, about key achievements and key figures, with impact in oil and gas industry around the world and a possible new management approach. Global energy market is in a continuous change, firstly due to the evolution of the oil barrel, and secondly due to the newly discovered technology and to the population’s education level. Global warming and the concerns of the great governments are some of the coordinates that have had a great impact upon the energy market at the global level. The question about management and what can make a difference in terms of success on the market, the paper will emphasize through a new theoretical approach. The organization of the future is the one with new skills and a new approach. The project management methodology applied for human resources with increasing competences can be one of the alternative education processes. The current paper will present a theoretical approach and personal point of view about the impact of competencies increasing through different programs, applied in oil and gas industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the paper, the comparative analysis of results of the research concerning energy consumption of separation process and influence of operational parameters is presented. Results are acquired basing on experimental and computational research. Scope of the analysis is stated within cascade system with lack of gas recirculation and membrane system with gas recirculation. Investigation is performed using UBE NM-BO2 A capillary polymer membrane. In the paper, operational characteristics of compared systems, obtained both on the basis of experiment and computational investigation, are presented. Results were obtained basing on varying feed pressure of the membrane module, as well as varying feed flows. Furthermore, comparison of the two systems concerning influence of their selected operational parameters and possibility of application in oxy-combustion systems is performed. Rationality of discussed systems application to industrial and power oxycombustion systems is emphasized. Investigated systems are characterized by number of advantages and certain limitations caused by mechanical properties. The paper states a part of research on possibility of use of discussed membrane technology in industrial systems and power oxy-combustion units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Last year (2017) was one of the three hottest years on record, with many high-impact events including catastrophic hurricanes and floods, debilitating heat waves and drought. Long-term indicators of climate change continue unabated and arctic sea ice coverage remained below average. Of the hottest years on record, 15 out of 17 have come since 2000. By contrast, more than a century has gone by since the planet had a record cold year (1911). At European level, based on the three different observational records of global average annual near-surface (land and ocean) temperature, 2007-2016 decade was 0.87 to 0.92 °C warmer than the pre-industrial average, which makes it the warmest decade on record. Of the 17 warmest years on record, 16 have occurred since 2000. In Romania, the mean annual air temperature rose by 0,6°C in the last 100 years. The evolution by decades of the mean multiannual air temperature over the 1901-2015 period show that the increasing trend is obvious especially beginning with 1991, 2015 being the warmest year of the records. This paper will make an analysis of 2006 - 2015 decade climate (using temperatures and precipitations records for western part of Romania) using several drought indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transport sector is one the most energy-intensive sector on planet. Whether we are discussing about cargo or travelers, the transport sector is causing environmental damage. Therefore an Impact Assessment study in the Transport sector concerning energy efficiency should draws attention. First of all the transport cost decrease, and second it contributes to the natural resources to be saved by the fossil fuels.Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and current rate of global warming can happen using a proper energy efficiency and alternative energy resources.Energy efficiency shall be studied under the yield point of view, between the aspects of useful energy and energy consumed. The energy efficiency principle can be applied in various fields, starting from extractor industries, manufacturing industries ending with the transportation sector.In the paper are listed a set of measurements for level pollutant emissions for the cities of Cluj-Napoca and Alba-Iulia in industrial and high traffic density areas.The measurements were made during 2014-2017 in industrial areas and junctions of intensive roads. It was disclosed Greenhouse gas, CO2, NO2 and CH4 with acid influence. A set of measurements were concerned particulate matter from combustion processes of industrial fuels. In particular Diesel thermal engines. The focus was on PM10 and PM2,5 particulate matter. The final part offers a comparative study between transportation services under de aspect of energy efficiency and reducing polluting emission. The papers contains a set of conclusions after an analysis on the measurements performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to present an analysis for Romania's energetic strategy designed for 2016-2030 according to the EU direction. Energetic security for a country is the most important after the IT sector, and also the knowledge to administrate key energetic resources. Import/ export of energetic resources is the question of how Romania will decide to develop or not its natural resources. The methodology will be a SWOT analysis, a personal point of view about the strategy. The environmental impact also is a challenge for all EU countries and Romania in her strategy has to be aligned. Romania still depends on energetic resources import. In this context the current paper can create the premises to identify alternatives with environmental policy as a focus. At international level, on the energy market, countries have to face the technology development, but also global warming phenomena, which will affect all economies. International cooperation to identify and optimize energetic resources and human capabilities can be a start for a new stage of development of international cooperation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To implement the International Legislation, in the future it is necessary to retrofit HFC refrigerants with ecological ones. Minimizing the presence of F-gases deriving from activities in the field of refrigeration in the atmosphere, air-conditioning systems and heat pumps can only be carried out by observing the F-Gas Regulations, namely the (CE) 517/2014 Regulation and its relevant Subsidiaries, along with the European (and Romanian) refrigeration safety standard SR EN 378. Demonstrating a strong commitment to protect the environment through the use of natural refrigerants and most advanced refrigeration solutions, the authors group decided to use green technology for NH3 and CO2 for commercial applications. The comparative study analyses the coefficient of performance of the refrigeration systems and also the TEWI factor (Total Equivalent Warming Impact). In the paper theoretical simulations with EES, Refprop and Pack Calculation Pro software are made. Also, an experimental setup R- 404A one stage refrigeration system, realized in the TUCEB Laboratory is presented. From the environmental perspective, R717 and R744 have the advantage of a lower Global Warming Potential than R-404A. From the energy efficiency and yearly consumptions point of view, the R717 is the best alternative and has a higher EER than R744 and R404A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environment is a major source of life that must be protected and treated, even though it is exposed to high inequality in different countries. The risk against the nature posed by pollution and global warming have brought about the need of safeguarding the environment in various forms. Today, many international organizations have developed different strategies for protecting the environment. Kosovo as a country in transition, that faces with many factors of environmental pollution. In this situation, the banking system can play an important role in safeguarding the environment, starting from banking services through digital channels, which increase efficiency and effectiveness both on the part of the institutions as well as to customers. Another role bank play in safeguarding the environment is the development of policies and strategies in the providing of credit products in financing projects that impact environmental care through green loans. The modernization and digitalization of the banking system is also advancing in Kosovo, but at slower steps. Banking system is the success stories, based on financial elements, the banking market is increasingly growing, but in this research, we analyze and conclude the orientation of banks, through their mission, vision, policies and financial reports in supporting the activities that have environmental impact, based on digitalization of services and financing with green loans, in order to finance clients who have their own investment plans in environmental care In addition to the research of this problematic, also we treat citizens' opinions as clients and businesses of the banking sector to reach conclusions on how they can influence the safeguarding of the environment through banking services. The data will be processed through SPSS program, from which we will generate and analyze statistical results. This paper is of great importance because it will contribute to fostering the banking system to adapt their policies and strategies in environmental care. It is also directly related to the reduction of banking business costs in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports a review on ammonia heat transfer in plate heat exchangers, from both theoretical and experimental points of view. It also addresses the current ecological aspect implied by refrigerants, by choosing ammonia, which is a natural refrigerant, known for its zero ozone depleting potential and for its low global warming effect. The theoretical study presents the modeling of the convective ammonia heat transfer coefficient in narrow spaces by several correlations, currently available in the open literature and valid for the case under consideration. The experimental study was carried out on specially designed set-ups that allowed both measuring and acquisition of data. The experimental values were further used in order to validate the correlations, under specific geometrical configuration of the plate heat exchanger used and specific operating conditions. The paper concluded all correlations under study describe, more or less accurately, the process of convective evaporation of ammonia in plate heat exchangers and determined a hierarchy among them, based on deviation shown with respect to the experimental values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the general context of fossil fuels shortage and the global warming phenomenon, the efficiency of energy consumption has become a priority for every consumer category. Limiting the environment pollution and maintaining the energy and raw materials reserves for the generations to come are the main targets of all developments on increasing the energetic efficiency within the sustainable development context. Therefore, the European Union aims at increasing the energetic efficiency by 20% by 2020 [1]. Meeting this objective requires a behavioral change at the level of every energy consumer, so that we can benefit from the same quality of life while using less energy. To reduce the energetic intensity at national level, a wide range of economic policy instruments must be used, so that producers are encouraged to develop products and technologies that are energy efficient and respect the compliance requirements, while consumers must be informed and stimulated to purchase and use equipment in a rational and responsible manner [2]. Having said this, a very important area where increasing the energy efficiency is crucial is the street lighting, a huge consumer of electric energy worldwide. Street lighting is an essential public service offered by the public authorities for increasing road security, personal safety, public and private property safety and therefore, preventing criminality. The main criterion for evaluating the quality of modern and efficient lighting systems is by obtaining a comfortable and reliable public environment with minimum energy consumption. The paper presents the experimental results obtained by the authors based on modeling / simulating and testing LED-based street lighting equipment. The paper also includes a study that compares the energetic efficiency of lighting systems based on high-pressure gas discharge lamps with sodium and LED-based lighting systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

n addition to adverse impacts on ecosystem services, climate change will very likely result in the increased occurrence, duration and intensity of heat waves threatening human health and comfort, in cities in particular. This is especially due to the replacement of natural surfaces with high thermal capacity urban constructions leading to the so-called urban heat island (UHI) effect. The purpose of this paper isto investigate the UHI effect under current conditions and conditions affected by climate change over Istanbul, one of the most populous cities in the world. In this study, the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model was used to dynamically downscale global climate model simulation from the CMIP5 project for 1990, 2004 and 2050. Physical parameters were chosen to represent urban climate with a horizontal resolution of 1 km. The WRF model was used to simulate weather during July 1990 and 2004 (historical run with corresponding climate conditions) and 2050 (projected future climate conditions) forced with the Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 scenario. The performance of the model was assessed by comparing the simulation-derived skin surface temperature to satellite estimates. The study further explores within-day and monthly distribution of temperature over the city and characteristics related to UHI The results confirm that the increasing temperature affects the formation of urban heat island in the study area. In 2050, the average monthly 2 m air temperature in July is projected to increase by 1.5 degrees under the projected future climate change. The evidence from this study suggests that making adaptations strategies for climate change should be made with the consideration of the urban heat island effect [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the paper has been analyzed the state of the tropical forests in Central African Region. The trends and causes of deforestation are revealed, and the associated decrease in the ecosystem function of tropical forests CO2 sequestration by atmosphere. Model calculations based on the Spatial Model of the Global Carbon Cycles in Atmosphere - Plants – Soil System (APS) represent the response of vegetation to an increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air and quantitatively determine the parameters of the biotic regulation of tropical forests. In order to assess the state of vegetation cover, in addition to model calculations, remote sensing data were used. The NDVI index was determined during the growing seasons (2000-2019) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our entire planet is experiencing the dangers of global warming that have gone beyond what implied by climate change. Recently 2017 has been declared all time second warmest year by NOAA on record for the entire globe, while a BBC report from Alaska "a great thaw of America is coming" suggests that the steady rising trend of summer temperatures every year, making the thaw deeper hence causing the permafrost to become less stable, for which human activity has been the major cause of rise in temperature for past few decades. Regional studies of Alaska show that global warming due to climate change cannot just trigger volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and landslides but can also enhance earthquake activity due to rapid melting of glaciers. Because when glaciers melt, the unloading can cause a bounce back also called isostatic rebound which can reactivate the pre-existing faults hence increases seismic activity. The study involves statistical techniques such as Pearson's correlation coefficient and Regression analysis to establish a link between global warming with the subsurface moments of tectonic plates. The paper also suggests subsurface depth estimates affected due to soaring temperatures causing frequent tectonic disturbances -earthquakes based on a case study from Alaska. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses an analysis on atmospheric pollution done by road vehicles. The substance emitted by vehicles that are present in the air, depending on their quantity and concentration, affects our health, generates discomfort and alters the environment. Global warming, or the greenhouse effect, since a certain period of time, is increasing from year to year. The recent increasing in registrations of vehicles which work on conventional fuels from the past few years (diesel oil, petrol) have led to a worrisome increase in the amount of substances that have a greenhouse effect: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). The emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO2) and of nitric oxides from the air (NOx) that the Diesel engines emit are the main causes of acid rain. The import and registrations of vehicles used in Romania have far exceeded the registrations of new cars and thus the degree of atmospheric pollution is increased. In urban areas the level of pollution is higher due to high vehicle density; the impact of emissions varies according to local conditions. One of the causes of atmospheric changes is the allowance for these vehicles to be put into circulation without limiting the number of registrations of old vehicles with pollution standards EURO 2, EURO 3, EURO 4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of the increasing concern on controlling carbon emissions, global warming and in order to reduce energy consumption, buildings design must take into account the criteria of energy efficiency and the use of local renewable resources imposed by EU requirements for 2020. Thermal insulating materials based on natural fibers as building materials are increasingly being studied for their low environmental impact and availability. The present paper reviews the state of the art of research on the influence of these various natural and renewable resources in thermal insulating materials with natural fibers. This review, based on more than 30 major studies, coming from 2002-2017, included mostly the characterization of the thermal insulating materials with natural fibers, in terms of physical and mechanical characteristics. Density, total dry porosity, thermal conductivity, dry vapour resistance, water absorption coefficient, compressive strength and Young modulus are properties extensive studied in all the references. A lack of references on hygroscopic, hygrothermal and durability properties was observed. Future research orientations are thus suggested to develop and promote these types of sustainable materials, focused on the long time behavior of the natural fibers materials, proving the durability changes, in natural or artificial (laboratory) climate exposure. An optimization of the thermal insulation materials composed of easily renewable raw material resources is thus needed in order to obtain the most efficient material, thermally and mechanically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last decade many researchers have noticed an increasing of the annual average sea level which is associated with the general climate warming and the glaciers melting. Further rise could have a catastrophic impact on the environment and production activities of people in the coastal areas, in particular on the functioning of the port facilities. In the design and construction of the offshore structures it is necessary to know annual average sea water level during the last 50 years. Because of sea level is constantly increasing the trend in sea level must be taken into account. This paper focuses on presenting the results from analyzing mean sea level changes in the seas, surrounding the European part of the Eurasian. Data sets from 33 tide gauges covering the European coastline in the period approximately from 1880 to 2015 have been used to estimate the mean sea level time series. The results from smoothing and linear trend estimations are presented. It is noted the decreasing of the water level on the northern coast of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia and irregular increasing on the coasts of North, Adriatic, Balearic, Aegean and Black Seas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming, pollution, energetic crisis, the depletion of natural resources represent only a few negative effects of man's actions into the natural environment. Thus, the need for innovation arises, a new approach which is capable to answer the question: how can man's intervention have a minimum impact on the environment and at the same time is capable of meeting his needs? Starting from the idea according to which nature is the supreme architect whose structures have successfully passed time's test, the present paper treats the topic of biomimetics in architecture. Nature offers our sight an infinite variety of formal examples, organization networks, structures, adaptability processes to the environment, but the present research focuses only on one natural component - fauna which reunites all living systems regardless of their evolutionary stage. This category is studied using a multi-criteria research and tries to highlight those features/ principles/ processes which can be applied in the field of architecture. The result of the research can contribute to the development of the theoretical framework used in sustainable design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vulnerability in ecohydrology is a result of significant extreme hydrological events, induced by human or nature. These events are usually stochastically, if it's taken into account their occurrence in time and space, and their monitoring is possible on a data base on long time. In the last time, due to the global warming, these events are more frequent, and the models of forecast need other approaches. In the paper are presented the steps and the scheme of an ecohydrological methodology of forecast. Are developed methodologies into a holistic approach, in such a manner that using ecological parameters to be controlled the hydrological ones from qualitative and quantitative point of view. Each ecosystem has the own capacity to absorb the environment variability (the rainfall and the flow can be intercepted and retained by the vegetation at the soil surface). It is studied the potential to absorb of ecosystems [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a consequence of the global warming we assist in the last decades at the intensification of extreme weather or hydrological events, such as droughts, hail storm or flash floods. This paper examines some spatial and temporal manifestations of maximum intensity of rainfall in the warm season, in Northwestern Romania. Diurnal variation, duration, and intensity of the maximum rainfall intensity as well as the return periods of the absolute values, the statistical probability of recording higher values and trends have been detected. Annual maximum intensity values of precipitation recorded in 14 weather stations over a period of 35 years (1975-2009) have been considered. HYFRAN and MAKESENS software have been employed for statistical analysis. The data sets were tested to check if they were identical and independent distributed at the 95% of significance level. The main findings are: maximum intensity extreme values varies between 5.0 and 10.1 mm/min; the highest frequency of rainfall maximum intensity is specific in the afternoon and in the evening; the frequency of events with certain maximum intensity duration dramatically decreases from 45.5 % for 1 minute period to 0.6 % in the case of those events lasting more than 8 minute; the return periods of absolute maximum intensities are generally ranging between 30 and 80 years, while the absolute minimum intensities have the return periods between 1.002 and 1.06 years; almost 80 % of the locations indicated increasing trends in the maximum intensity of rainfall. All these findings are very important for modeling the flash flood parameters [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the present, the issue of climate change is a very frequent term especially in the relationship with global warming. These changes are reflected in the full range of ecosystem. The paper evaluated the prognosis of climate change and its impact on the quality of aquatic habitat at a particular section of the Váh River. Based on the calibration of parameters by hydrological model Hron changes in air temperature, precipitation and flow at the final profile of Váh River in the future periods (2021-2050 and 2071-2100) were evaluated. The results indicate the change of flow in the future, which is mainly due to changing rainfall. More important than the flow rate is the distribution of flow over the year. Therefore, the results were evaluated as the long-term average values in each month and three different climate change scenarios were compared. For better review of the future changes, the changes in individual hydrologic parameters during the period of 2071-2100 compared to the period 1961-1990 (which is considered as a reference period) were assessed. The results show that not all regional models, although based on the same emission scenario SRES A1B (IPCC, 2000), show the same outcomes. The article compare three models and their results are analyzed in terms of flood control and maintenance of the quality of aquatic habitat in the period of minimum flows. For larger rivers, it is assumed that climate change would not have significant impact on the biota of the river. Threatened will be smaller mountain tributaries where the flow decreasing and temperature increasing can significantly affect the aquatic ecosystem. Specifically, these changes were examined at Hybica River that is a tributary of the Váh River (the largest left tributary of the Danube in Slovakia). From the measured data it was found that the minimum flow rates and the most demanding conditions for the biota of the river occur in August. Based on the measured data of air temperature and precipitation at individual stations from 01/11/1994 to 10/31/2002 the forecast of changes in the minimum flow in the month of August was modeled. The mean monthly values as well as minimum daily flows were evaluated. For modeling the flow impact on the quality of aquatic habitat the data from the Department of Land and Water Resources Management were used. There were evaluated 43 rivers and 52 representative sections of mountain rivers in Slovakia. Measurements are adapted to the requirements of modeling the aquatic habitat quality by the methodology IFIM in the program RHABSIM (detailed topographic, hydraulic and ichthyologic measurements on selected reference sections of rivers), so the forecast of impacts of climate change on the quality of aquatic habitat will use the above methodology and model. The modeling results of the impact assessment of climate change on the quality of aquatic habitat of the Hybica River shows that minimum flows will decrease in summer, which is critical for the biota of the Mountain Rivers. By reducing the flow volume the suitable habitat is reduced and simultaneously the reduced flow allows quickly overheat of the water, which negatively affects the aquatic biota. It could be concluded that climate change can significantly influence the quality of the ecosystem of the Hybica River. A similar trend can be expected for all mountain rivers within the Váh River basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rise in sea level is associated with global warming and melting of glaciers and ice sheets. Precise monitoring of changes in the mean sea level of the Baltic Sea is very important for understanding not only the climate, but also the socioeconomic consequences of any rise in sea level. Opening and closing connections of the Baltic Sea with the ocean causes changes in sea level, and hence also the change in the position of the shoreline which is very diverse. The aim of the study is to highlight the contribution of satellite altimetry and give a complete view of the change rise in Baltic Sea level over several years. A trend and forecast changes of the sea level rise, as well as the composition of the time series will be assessed. Satellite altimetry data will be used, because this technology measures sea surface high and other characteristics of a sea surface, which is key to monitor sea level rise and global climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal Mine Methane (CMM) could be valuable source of energy for electricity and heat production. On the other hand, methane migration from gobs, through overburden strata, to the atmosphere, has non-negligible influence on global warming effect. Accidents caused by uncontrolled methane migration, from abandonment coal mines, are also commonly known. In this article worldwide and Polish experiences of CMM migration modeling are shown. Short review of CMM utilization are also presented. Authors discussed several models of gases migration and accumulation in overburden strata in the area of "1 Maja" and "Niwka-Modrzejów" abandoned hard coal mines. Petro-physical parameters used to numerical model building are shown. Results of gases migration modeling are collected and pointed out. Model of methane production from "Moszczenica" hard coal mine is also considered. In addition, some American experiences of coal mine methane exploitation from gobs are also discussed within this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The threat of climate change and its negative consequences is currently a very serious and immediate problem. Undoubtedly, the most striking manifestation of climate change is global warming, both on land and in the oceans. Increasing the average air temperature adversely affects natural ecosystems, which find it very difficult to adapt to this change. Significant consequence of climate change is also the fundamental impact on water resources. In this work we focused on the influence of climatic conditions on the dynamics of walnut tree (Juglans regia L.) in July (2019-2021), when the influence of lack of precipitation on the walnut growth are most critical. We compared dendrometric changes to air temperature and precipitation. For this measurement were used Dendrometers DD-S from Ecomatic at two groups of walnut trees - irrigated and non-irrigated trees. From the results, it is found a significant decrease in precipitation compared to the climate normal, most marked in 2021. A significant difference between irrigated and non-irrigated walnuts is seen in 2019 (3.2 mm) and in 2020 (2.4 mm). In 2021, the difference is only 0.85 mm, which could be due to insufficient irrigation, lack of precipitation, and the quantity of fruit. The impact of climate change and its greatest impact - drought, can be observed throughout the period under review. This research can serve as a basis for drought assessment and will be further developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building industry has an essential share in depletion of environment and, after food production, belongs to the largest consumer of raw materials. Exploitation, production or transportation of building materials, as well as build-up, operation or demolition of buildings requires massive amounts of energy and results in huge amounts of greenhouse or acidifying gasses emission, participates in depletion of ozone layer, eutrophication processes or photochemical ozone creation. Selection of building materials, as principal components of buildings, should by performed on a comprehensive way with their environmental performance in mind, as by their proper selection it is possible to contribute to minimization of energy demands and reduction of quantity of CO2 and SO2 emissions. In this paper, 41 different compositions of external walls with utilization of perforated ceramic brick and various types of thermal insulation materials were analyzed from environmental point of view. 17 external walls were designed in order to accomplishment of requirements of thermal technical standards on maximal U-value for Slovak conditions. Another 24 structures were designed more strictly to improve the insulation value. Primary energy intensity, Global warming potential and Acidification potential of various types of external walls were analyzed. Primary energy intensity reached values between 705.72 MJ/m² and 1180.57 MJ/m² , calculated values of Global warming potential reached values from 35.13 to 82.97 kg CO2eq/m² and values of Acidification potential were between 0.1636 and 0.3322 kg SO2eq/m². Optimization has proven that by a proper choice of building material it is possible to reduce the negative environmental effects. In spite of relatively small changes in materials reduction of primary embodied energy, amount of CO2 and SO2 emissions can be reached. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming is a dangerous phenomenon caused by anthropogenic environmental pollution. Renewable energy sources (RES) contribute to minimizing CO2 emissions. At the 26th meeting of the conference of the Parties (COP26), goals to reduce net emissions were set as soon as possible. At the same time, the European Commission has set the goal of achieving zero net emissions by 2050. Thermal transformation of conventional energy carriers causes the depletion of natural resources, the formation of secondary waste, and air pollution with sulfur, nitrogen, hydrocarbon compounds, etc. The energy of obtaining from the sun using a photovoltaic installation in combination with energy storage is a clean source of energy, and additionally allows the building's energy independence. Photovoltaic installations are used to power the home. The prosumer transfers the surplus energy to the power grid. This model of dealing with energy is the most popular on the Polish market. Research carried out on a single-family house over a period of 2 years has shown that despite the installation of photovoltaics in a place with average sunlight, its efficiency is sufficient for the building's own needs. By expanding the installation with energy storage, a single-family house can function away from the power grid. Clean solar energy does not contribute to low emissions. The emission of dust and harmful gases is the main cause of smog, which negatively affects the health and life of residents. Staying in a polluted environment is associated not only with problems with the respiratory system but also with the overall efficiency of the body. The development of new technologies in the field of energy will contribute to the improvement of the natural environment and the everyday life of the inhabitants, and to increase the biodiversity of fauna and flora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modernization and industrialization of the world contributes to create many ecological problems in the environment that affect every living organism. All the harmful pollutants that have been accumulating since the 1950s cause the greatest damage to the environment around us, which ultimately leads to global warming, climate change, and more. Harmful pollutants of the environment can be radiation, biological and chemical (organic and inorganic) substances. From inorganic chemicals heavy metals are most dangerous for the environment. The most toxic heavy metals are cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), molybdenum (Mo), manganese (Mn), thorium (Th), uranium (U) and others. Our research focuses on lead and arsenic, which people have been using for various household or non-household purposes. In western Georgia, Racha and Svaneti, there is an abandoned former unsealed arsenic plant located at two different locations in Uravi and Tsana. The previous research was implemented and examined the village Akhuti and Mukhuri, the village Mulakhi in Upper Svaneti, the village Znakva, Sori and Uravi in Racha and the town of Chkhorotsku in Samegrelo region. A study showed that some villages have high concentrations of lead and arsenic, for example, the metal content in the village Uravi is significantly higher than the permissible concentrations, as the abandoned arsenic plant still affects nearby soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of global warming is currently very actual. In a recent year, some constructions projects have caused a rapid and, in many cases, ill-considered building boom. Many buildings were not being built with the greatest possible adaptation to the environment. People who lives in these locations can feel uncomfortable because of noise of construction machines, air pollution or reducing green areas. One consequence is the overheating of parts of the towns. Many of them are located in concrete places, where is few green and water (ecological) elements. This study deals with the use of modern progressive technology, thermal imaging, for qualitative analysis of temperature changes in the urban environment. The main aim of research is using this technology is to create a database of street's temperatures (parts of the city) in Kosice, Slovakia, which will monitor the most suitable places for quality people's life. This database could be an interesting part for implementing to the building information modelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM is focused on the goals of Agenda 2030, including global warming, climate change, CO2 reduction, biodiversity, and green technologies for a sustainable future. The conference aims to unite scientists from various backgrounds in pursuit of knowledge and understanding, emphasizing the importance of our planet's health and sustainability. The conference proceedings showcase peer-reviewed articles that highlight the intersection of Earth and planetary science, celebrating the beauty and significance of the universe. The editors-in-chief, Prof. DSc. Oleksandr Trofymchuk and Prof. Dr. hab. oec. Baiba Rivza, express optimism for a better future driven by scientific progress and collaboration. [Extracted from the article]

The cement concrete road pavements we can characterized with sensitivity to temperature changing and after that linear deformation, stresses owing to temperature gradients also. In pavement design we have to consider the traffic load and temperature condition. Unsuitable connection of concrete slabs has in results failure of pavements. In article is description of cement concrete pavements behavior under temperature changing and alternative solutions of structures and measures in rehabilitation design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming and climate change are two of the main problems facing the mankind. 70% of cities are dealing with the effects of this phenomenon and nearly all of them are at risk. The larger cities create over 70% of global CO2 emissions and consume 2/3 of the world's energy, so the focusing on the solution on global warming is heavily depending on future act in major cities. Urban density presents a greener way to live. Because the concrete surface is expanded not only on horizontal but even on vertical, in the last years, the main cities felt the problem of warm up more intensely. As a response to this problem many architects tried to adapt green facades to the new buildings they proposed and even adapt them to the existing ones. The aim of this article is to analyze the efficiency of using green facades on existing buildings and to analyze how can be used in Timisoara, Romania on the old communist buildings as a method of reducing the warming and also as an aesthetic solution to the monotony of those rectangular blocks of flats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents in a clear and concise manner some of the prospects of extending national forestry fund in line with the EU Forestry Strategy through effective management of its implementation. Nowadays, the European forestry policy and the National one pass through great transformations due the mediological crisis in which we find ourselves and the human inability to stop or even to slow global warming that threatens us. The forest is seen as a remedy in this struggle as a cure medicine to influence the CO2 circuit, or other substances having a screening effect, in order to reflect solar radiation, which is why it should be preserve, enhance and extend it as far as possible. Current interest is no longer a priority for forest economics, but for the environment. At the global scale, forests are heavily cut down and will be destroyed further, because mankind is unable or is not prepared to resolve the crisis of industrial wood by retrofitting and replacing it with other materials. In addition, the LDCs countries from hot areas of the globe turn to the forest as their only means of subsistence. The forests problem is not only ecological; it therefore has a strong economical footprint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat waves are one of the most important extreme phenomena that are subject to important changes under present global warming conditions. In this study a complex analysis of heat waves over a period of 53 year (1961-2013) was performed. Daily maximum temperature data have been used in order to detect the heat waves based on 95th percentile threshold. Then the annual series of number of heat waves, their mean and maximum duration, as well as their cumulated duration have been constructed. The four series were then subject to trend detection by employing Mann-Kandall and Sen's slope methods. The main results are: statistically significant increase was detected in all four parameters time series considered; the maximum annual values of the parameters are about four times higher compared to the mean annual number calculated for the entire period. The estimated social and economical impact is important to be determined in terms of response at community level, institutional level as well as at individual level. The impact could first imply modification regarding the consumption of electricity and major differences in the daily consumption basket. Also, as a direct consequence of heat waves it is expected the hospitalization costs increase due to the number of heat induced casualties and a decrease in the work performance resulting in an estimated loss in Gross Domestic Product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently of global warming, of the critical state of natural resources and of a growing number of endangered species is to get the attention on the specific method of environmental protection. Those methods include the LCA analysis, which has together with waste policy the same center of interest - the preservation of the environment in the sufficient quality for future generations. The basic tool for achieving the objectives is to reduce the environmental and health impacts of waste through their use as alternative substitutes for non-renewable resources. Fly ash, waste of heat generation and of electricity industry is one of the recoverable residues resulting from the burning of coal and it is known as secondary raw material used primarily in the construction industry. As part of ongoing research at the faculty has been studied its 15% wt. cement CEM I 42.5 N replacements in the concrete road cover. The actual contribution is focused on the final stage of research, i.e. to assess of the environmental impact of fly ash concrete pavement throughout their life cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coastal area of the Black Sea of Georgia (Kolkheti Lowland) with its recreational, resort, transport and industrial functions is a very important region in the country. A coastline is formed under the interaction of two environments, the land and the sea with its stability much dependent on the volume and grain size of the coast-forming material drifted to the coastline by the rivers of the Black Sea basin. 90% of the coastal formations of Georgia belong to an accumulative type with their genesis and filled with the alluvium of big rivers (e.g. Enguri, Rioni). This problem is particularly topical today, if considering that the dynamics of the river flows, including that of the solid alluvium will have a different reaction on the background of the global warming. Thus, the study of the hydrological regime of the rivers of Kolkheti Lowland and dynamics of the load discharge and evaluation of the modern state of anthropogenic impact on it is very important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]