Hotstuff Chillout Diary

shrinking glaciers

Sun, 10 Jan 2010 20:23:29 +0000

In Slovenia, there are two glaciers, i.e. the Triglav glacier and the Skuta glacier, both exceptionally sensitive to climate changes due to their extreme south-eastern position and low elevation. Since the above mentioned Slovenian glaciers are small, their relative shrinkage in respect of their present extent and volume is greater than is the case with other Alpine glaciers. The picture shows the glacier in the year 1957 and the picture in the next diary entry shows the glacier in the year 1971

shrinking glaciers 2

Sun, 10 Jan 2010 20:23:21 +0000

In 2003 there is almost nothing left of triglavski ledenik...

shrinking glaciers

Sun, 10 Jan 2010 20:22:10 +0000

bio plant

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 12:35:14 +0000

Our class went to Prekmurje. We saw a road of renewable energy sources to learn how to take care of the environment. Our first stop was in Ižakovci, where we saw a bioplant. Being green is becoming more and more important, because of the future. A group called Panvita cares about the environment and is looking for possible “green” solutions. There’s a special process of making food, processing animal products and water treatment activities 100% environmentally friendly. Panvita made their first bioplant in 2006, by the pig farm Nemščak and with that they started a new cycle of investing in the “green” electricity plants. This field trip was very educational and I think we know much more about ecological problems then before. Anja, 1.a- class

THE GLASSHOUSE OF TOMATOES

patrick.jaeger@myclimate.org — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:40:58 +0000

On October 6th our class went on an excursion to Prekmurje. We are very happy and grateful, because on this trip we found out lots of interesting and new things for us.
Our group of five girls decided to describe one spot of our trip. That is the tomato glasshouse.

In this glasshouse, they keep just one culture of tomatoes. The glasshouse covers 9400 km2 area. 300-350 tones of tomatoes are produced in a year. They produce them in a hydroponic way. That means that this is without any contact with the land, and they use substrates.
Roots are in pillows, because they help to destroy pests. So there is no need for rotation. On each cluster there are 5 tomatoes.
They produce two sorts of tomatoes: brilliant and profilo.
In the glasshouse there are special, optimal circumstances, which are: controlled temperature, air moisture, precipitation and cold.
They do not spray the tomatoes, because they destroy pests with local abolition and integrated drift. After spraying they can not pick the tomatoes for three days. For the security against pests they artificially settle natural enemies - insects to destroy pests.
The glasshouse is heated with thermal water. At night, in there are 16 to 18 degrees, during the day 24 to 26 degrees. They also have thermal curtains, which are 10 to 15 cm long.
Tomatoes are exported to Maribor and Ljubljana, and about three quarters (the majority) to Austria, because abroad they give more on quality.
They have 3 permanent employees, and 3 seasonal employees.
They pick the tomatoes throughout all the year, but usually in February, and then on 60 days period. They pick them for three days. They use gloves because of spraying.

TEAM, 1.A: Katja Bezjak, Špela Bezjak, Urška Jurič, Nuša Kramberger

Island of Love - Mill on the Mura

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:09:15 +0000

Island of Love is famous for its still operating floating mill, a point on the route of renewable energy sources. Beside the mill you can also visit the "Büjraški" museum, you can be brought across the river on a ford and in the natural surraundings you can enjoy the delights of home made culinary specialities. Years ago, there were more than 40 mills on the Mura river. Today, there are only two of them still operating. Mura river is 444 km long and it is one of the most beautiful rivers.

Wooden biomass

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:44:41 +0000

Biomass is one of the most valuable renewable energy on Earth. The most widely used biomass is wood. Wood as fuel is used in three different forms and dimensions: Logs, wood chips and pellets. Wood should be properly dried, the drying takes more than a year. Biomass is stored in specially built warehouses. In Beltinci biomass is heating the church, Home of pensioners and a few blocks. The calorific value of wood affected by the following factors: 1. The water content or humidity of the wood 2. Chemical structure of wood 3. The density of wood 4. Tree species and tree parts 5. Health status The water content in wood represents the ratio between the weight of water and the total weight of wood and water. Humidity of wood, the ratio between the weight of water and total dry weight of wood.