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Lack of resolve

The countries that took part in the conference arrived to anything but groundbreaking conclusions; they did not agree to take any serious action to improve the current state of affairs, which does not come as a surprise to the respected Slovenian climatologist Lučka Kajfež Bogataj who received a Nobel prize for peace in 2007 as part of the International Panel on Climate Change. "The countries did neither prepared domestic legislation nor a strategy of how to cope with fossil fuel use. It is impossible to sign a global agreement in such circumstances."

Slovenia, unfortunately, is no exception. "The acts from the Kyoto Protocol have not been carried out. Transport is the domain that went out of control most seriously, followed by the inefficient use of energy in industry and construction engineering. Furthermore, the emissions from electricity generation in thermal power stations that use coal have been increasing," says Kajfež Bogataj.

The estimated amount of greenhouse gases in 2008 exceeded the target emissions by the worrying 10%. "Slovenia does not respect the agreement, nor does it have a clear strategy of how to act after the Protocol," adds the climatologist.

Sober up!

Slovenia contributes more than 10 tons of CO2 per capita yearly to the atmosphere. Kajfež Bogataj claims that "If everyone on Earth lived like we do, two planets would be necessary to cater for these immense needs."

Some experts think that the first step towards the goal of lowering the emissions is increasing energy efficiency. Tomaž Fatur, executive director for development and strategy at Solvera Lynx, company specializing in industry and energy sector, states, "Energy-efficient thinking comes first."

One should think about their needs and the things they require. "Slovenians like to use cars at all times; also they love big houses. But bigger houses automatically mean bigger expenses," he adds. Kajfež Bogataj agrees: "We are extremely energetically inefficient. The chief culprits for emissions are transport and coal burning."

The heat is on

The effect of climate change is already visible in Slovenia. The temperatures have been rapidly rising since the mid-1980s. "Temperatures in Ljubljana have risen by exactly 2 ˙C in the past 57 years," says Kajfež Bogataj, continuing, "Climate change, however, does not merely mean this: it includes changes of all weather phenomena. These are precipitation amounts, humidity and the ever more destructive meteorological disasters. Besides that, we are faced with summer heat waves, greener winters, more intensive droughts and floods, new pests."

Moreover, energy and agriculture are the two fields most severely affected, followed by tourism and health care due to new diseases and the more frequent occurrence of allergies. "Slovenia will surely feel the consequences of the global water bankruptcy. The fact is that by 2030, 4 billion people will have serious problems getting fresh water. This triggers migrations, international crises and probably also military conflicts," she goes on to explain the broader context of climate change.

Going bio

The situation is serious and some measures are imperative. "In order to lower the emissions, low-carbon energy technologies need to be promoted together with rational and well-considered use of energy," says Fatur. According to him, Slovenia needs a combination of more than only one energy product. "We require a constantly developing system which would include a mixture of fossil fuels and renewable energy sources." He sees great potentials in solar energy for indoor and water heating and in photovoltaic systems for electricity production.

Slovenia is one of the most heavily forested countries in the world; it would therefore be wise to use wood biomass, made from sawdust and other wood waste. "Unfortunately, our country's wood industry is badly organized and there is not much waste to use," says Fatur.

Other potentials he points out are the use of biogas in a biogas facility, which should exist on every bigger farm; and electricity production by using organic waste, which, like wood industry, still needs better organization.

Both experts positively welcome nuclear power. "It is wise to maintain this type of energy," says Kajfež Bogataj, while Fatur adds that it is one of the future's most important energy sources.

Renewables to the rescue

Twenty to twenty-five percent of the energy Slovenia produces come from renewable sources. "The Goals for 2010 are 10 % higher, yet the actual percentage varies greatly due to the fact that most of it is produced in hydroelectric power plants. They depend on the amount of water in rivers. In more arid years, the share falls rather drastically," explains Fatur.

According to the REUS survey, Slovenians are increasingly aware of the importance of the use of fossil fuel energy alternatives. Fatur says that there is still much more room for improvement, but praises the increased interest and concern Slovenians express, asserting "We are witnessing a process of constant improvement, also in industry. It is true that the latter cannot be the best example of implementing the renewable energy sources in its activities, yet it is commendable that factories have gradually switched to natural gas, which is the cleanest energy product. Smaller companies have greater chances for using energy from renewable sources, e.g. solar energy for heating and reusing the heat generated as a by-product of certain activities."

Where there's a will...

However, much work is yet to be done. Kajfež Bogataj believes that the key to solving climate problems is a clear and thorough vision, which Slovenia just like most of other countries lacks; it is crucial that it gets one.

Some sceptics would argue that Slovenia's efforts would not make a significant change in the global picture. "Every contribution counts," counters Fatur. "The state should create mechanisms that would guide its citizens into the correct direction."

Kajfež Bogataj believes that despite its size, Slovenia has one vote in international community just like any other country. "We have a chance to contribute top scientists and good politicians who can make a notable global change. We should not forget that the new European environment commissioner, Janez Potočnik, is Slovenian," she adds.

Hope therefore exists, but time is seriously running out. Everybody should take action - now.