Back On Monday, March 3, an educational expedition for youth, titled “Groundwater – Invisible or Visible?”, took place in Aizkraukle. This was the first such expedition organised by the Ministry of Climate and Energy. The participating students expanded their knowledge on environmental protection issues by visiting a historically polluted site in Aizkraukle. Totally thirty students from Aizkraukle County schools, all involved in the Eco-Schools Programme, participated in the event.
The aim of the expedition was to inform students about the project, initiated under the Swiss – Latvian cooperation programme, focuses on the remediation of a historically polluted site in Aizkraukle to improve environmental quality. It also aimed to expand youth knowledge on environmental protection issues and foster a sense of responsibility for their county and the surrounding environment.
During the expedition, students visited the project implementation site at 10 Dzelzceļa Street, the location of a historical pollution source, where geological field study has confirmed the persistence of pollution. The students were welcomed at the site by Andris Zālītis, Vice-Chair of the Aizkraukle County Council, who explained why pollution had occurred at this location. Jānis Šīre, an expert from the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre, introduced students with general information about water resources in Latvia, the impact of climate change and pollution, and the importance of improving water resource quality.
Raimonds Sļesarevs, an expert from the State Environmental Service, talked about the planned remediation works in the project, while Dace Kreišmane-Koluškina, a representative from JSC “Latvenergo,” discussed the company’s contribution to environmental management by reducing pollution risks.
Throughout the day, the students discussed information presented and debated possible solutions. At the conclusion of the expedition, each school’s Eco-Council was assigned the task for preparing an idea – a proposal outlining how the historically polluted area could be used and developed in the future. The students’ ideas will be presented at the Programme’s opening conference on March 20 in Likteņdārzs.
Students from Aizkraukle regional secondary school, Andrejs Upītis Skrīveri secondary school, Pļaviņas secondary school, and Aizkraukle vocational secondary school participated in the expedition.
The implementation of the Swiss – Latvian cooperation programme will ensure planned activities at the nationally significant polluted site in Aizkraukle, reducing pollution level, improving environmental quality and reducing risks to population health. It has been previously reported that the contract for the “Remediation of Historical Pollution” programme was signed on November 12, 2024.
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