Climate Change in Latvia – an Opportunity and a Challenge?

Project facts

Project promoter:
Society 'homo ecos:'
Project Number:
LV02-0012
Target groups
Students,
Children
Status:
Completed
Initial project cost:
€170,809
Final project cost:
€162,608
From EEA Grants:
€ 135,371
The project is carried out in:
Latvia

Description

The project seeks to improve State Gymnasiums’ 8th – 12th grade pupils’ and economically active inhabitants’ knowledge and understanding about climate change impacts and consequences in Latvia on five impacted areas – health, water resources and infrastructure, building industry and real estate, biodiversity and forestry – by implementing a creative informative campaign and interdisciplinary educational activities, and therefore promoting their active engagement in reducing climate change, and active participation in climate adaption policy implementation. Social studies show that Latvian citizens’ awareness and understanding of climate change and its impacts are among the lowest in the European Union. Many people respond that climate change does not influence Latvia, or that it will only have positive effects. However, studies show that this is not true. Climate change already negatively affects the well-being of Latvian inhabitants, and it is likely that the severity of problems will only increase. Most of the society does not have all the knowledge and skills necessary to prepare for these negative consequences, adapt to climate change impacts in Latvia, and they do not consider their responsibility to take part in climate change mitigation measures and activities. The project is implemented together with a project partner – foundation „GRID-Arendal” from Norway. „GRID-Arendal” will take active part in preparing and implementing an educational seminar and a final conference.

Summary of project results

The majority of scientists in Latvia and the rest of the world consider climate change as one of the most important environmental problems, with major economic impact. But social studies show that Latvian citizens’ awareness and understanding of climate change and its impacts are among the lowest in the European Union. The project, “Climate change in Latvia”, sought to provide creative and diverse information about the effects of climate change on Latvian society. The project highlighted 5 sectors that are most affected by climate change - health, water resources and infrastructure, building industry and real estate, biodiversity and forestry. The aim of this project was to improve the awareness and knowledge of climate change issues among Latvian citizens, as well as promote practical ways in which people can get involved in climate change mitigation and adaptation. In order to provoke discussions, the documentary film „Chasing Ice” was shown on project opening events. Opening events took place in five of Latvia's largest cities (Riga, Daugavpils, Liepaja, Jelgava, Valmiera). To promote the society’s understanding of the process and significance of climate change, an informative campaign was organised. Part of the campaign was a travelling photo exhibition, "Climate Witnesses", about the effects of climate change in Latvia. The author of photo exhibition is Davis Drazdovskis. The campaign was complemented by environmental ads, TV and radio broadcasts, as well as written publications. Trainings for pupils in the 8th to 12th grade were organised in Latvia’s secondary schools, making use of participative non-formal education methods - creative group workshops, demonstrations, discussions. Digital tool (http://www.2gradi.lv/en/) was developed; the tool is an instrument for strengthening the understanding of climate change and its effects.

Summary of bilateral results

The project partner was Norwegian environmental organisation GRID-Ardenal. Within the project, GRID-Arendal was involved in organizing the communication seminar for public relations students and young journalists in Latvia, as well as providing expertise and support for the project’s final conference. The goal of the practical communication seminar, “Climate Change - how to talk about it and how to interest society?”, was to offer young communication specialists the knowledge and skills needed to better communicate about climate change and its effects on Latvia and the world. The seminar took place in Riga, and all students in the fields of journalism, PR, new media and environmental science – as well as all other interested parties - was invited. On the first seminar day, Norwegian and Latvian experts engaged participants in discussions on questions of climate change: - why is climate change an important current issue for everyone? - will climate change happen some time in the distant future, or is it closer than we think? - what are the prospects for Latvian? - what should society know about climate change? The second day of the seminar was devoted to more practical work. During the first half of the day, experts shared their experiences in film-making, information gathering methods, as well as the role of experts from NGOs in promoting social change. In the afternoon, participants split up into working groups supervised by experts, where they created articles or story concepts about climate change topics.