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== First Assignment == | |||
We started our day at a suburb of the city of Graz at the headquarters of the Saubermacher company that was established with regard to sustainable development using modern technologies and solar panels as an ecological source of energy. This private company is located next to Graz and has gradually developed from a family-size company to become a large international specialist engaged in the sorting and subsequent treatment of waste. Although the company is active in more European countries, the day’s presentation dealt only with the issue of handling communal waste in Austria. | We started our day at a suburb of the city of Graz at the headquarters of the Saubermacher company that was established with regard to sustainable development using modern technologies and solar panels as an ecological source of energy. This private company is located next to Graz and has gradually developed from a family-size company to become a large international specialist engaged in the sorting and subsequent treatment of waste. Although the company is active in more European countries, the day’s presentation dealt only with the issue of handling communal waste in Austria. | ||
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== Second Assignment == | |||
Eisenerz, an old mining town in the center of the country, is situated in the middle of mountains, which means that it is quite isolated and on the periphery. From the presentation about a historical evolution of the town and current situation, which led Mr. Gerfried Tiffner, was obvious that most mining towns challenge similar problems. In Eisenerz was found the rich iron ore and later on followed by “iron rush”. Due to the rich iron ore it was possible to quarry on the open air. This process developed into today’s face of the place with dominating Ore Mountain. But the natural change is not the only one caused by mining. | Eisenerz, an old mining town in the center of the country, is situated in the middle of mountains, which means that it is quite isolated and on the periphery. From the presentation about a historical evolution of the town and current situation, which led Mr. Gerfried Tiffner, was obvious that most mining towns challenge similar problems. In Eisenerz was found the rich iron ore and later on followed by “iron rush”. Due to the rich iron ore it was possible to quarry on the open air. This process developed into today’s face of the place with dominating Ore Mountain. But the natural change is not the only one caused by mining. | ||
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From own experience, Czech historical mining towns cosset the glory of old ages by traditional celebration, mining museums and overall presentation (mentioned Příbram or Kutná Hora). In contrary, towns with young mining history are rather ashamed for their history and the public opinion changes very slowly. On one side the destroyed areas are recultivated on very expensive cost so that the mining companies compensate for the damage of nature resources[http://www.cbks.cz/sbornikRackova03/sections/common/Vrablikova.pdf]. The recultivation of landscape gave rise to lakes, race course or new green spaces. Even thought mining companies during the recultivation pay attention to diversity[http://www.suas.cz/uploads/110170487247b2c8037de4b_07162_brozura_eko_su_mail.pdf], there are areas without functional ecosystem, the water ecosystem is still insufficiently restored and due to bad economical situation of region there is unused land.[http://fzp.ujep.cz/projekty/wd-44-07-1/dokumenty/aktivity/WD-44-07-1_A413.pdf] What wasn't involved into the effort is by Mr. Tiffner highlighted social aspect and belonging.[http://fzp.ujep.cz/projekty/wd-44-07-1/dokumenty/KNIHA_Revitalizace_II_cast.pdf] The industry in the region is mostly oriented on mining, situated in centers, middle and small-scale entrepreneurships are missing. In comparison with Eisenerz's, population middle age is lower but education is neglected (high rate of uneducated or primarily educated people). Well known is the fact that in the region if higher criminality.[http://fzp.ujep.cz/projekty/wd-44-07-1/dokumenty/aktivity/WD-44-07-1_A413.pdf] | From own experience, Czech historical mining towns cosset the glory of old ages by traditional celebration, mining museums and overall presentation (mentioned Příbram or Kutná Hora). In contrary, towns with young mining history are rather ashamed for their history and the public opinion changes very slowly. On one side the destroyed areas are recultivated on very expensive cost so that the mining companies compensate for the damage of nature resources[http://www.cbks.cz/sbornikRackova03/sections/common/Vrablikova.pdf]. The recultivation of landscape gave rise to lakes, race course or new green spaces. Even thought mining companies during the recultivation pay attention to diversity[http://www.suas.cz/uploads/110170487247b2c8037de4b_07162_brozura_eko_su_mail.pdf], there are areas without functional ecosystem, the water ecosystem is still insufficiently restored and due to bad economical situation of region there is unused land.[http://fzp.ujep.cz/projekty/wd-44-07-1/dokumenty/aktivity/WD-44-07-1_A413.pdf] What wasn't involved into the effort is by Mr. Tiffner highlighted social aspect and belonging.[http://fzp.ujep.cz/projekty/wd-44-07-1/dokumenty/KNIHA_Revitalizace_II_cast.pdf] The industry in the region is mostly oriented on mining, situated in centers, middle and small-scale entrepreneurships are missing. In comparison with Eisenerz's, population middle age is lower but education is neglected (high rate of uneducated or primarily educated people). Well known is the fact that in the region if higher criminality.[http://fzp.ujep.cz/projekty/wd-44-07-1/dokumenty/aktivity/WD-44-07-1_A413.pdf] | ||
These days the debate about the mining limits is a hot topic – there are two reasons why the whole of the Czech Republic is interested in the limits on mining. At the end of the August the Chamber of Deputies dissolved itself because the deputies voted against the Government in a confidence motion [http://www.psp.cz/sqw/cms.sqw?z=5827]. A date for new elections was also set: 25th – 26th October 2013. So we can definitely see the fight between the left wing and the right wing for the voters. The left wing - mostly represented in the Czech Republic by the Comunist Party of Bohemia and Moravia and the Czech Social Democratic Party - is trying to gain new voters by promising greater social security. One of these is higher employment . If mining in Northern Bohemia stops, the number of unemployed will visibly rise. | |||
The situation in Northern Bohemia is enshrined in legislation by the “Territorial limits of the mining of the brown coal in Northern Bohemia” which were adopted in 1991 [http://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%9Azemn%C3%AD_limity_t%C4%9B%C5%BEby_hn%C4%9Bd%C3%A9ho_uhl%C3%AD_v_severn%C3%ADch_%C4%8Cech%C3%A1ch]. Now, the whole discussion about “breaking the limits” is also influenced by the situation in Northern Moravia, where the “Paskov” black coal mine is slated to close in 2014. In fact, changing the limits could be achieved by the newly elected government, but academics have already published an opinion that breaking the limits is not necessary and the social situation could be resolved by supporting other types of business that do not damage the environment, as well as human health [http://usti.idnes.cz/neprolamujte-limity-0rp-/usti-zpravy.aspx?c=A130926_1981700_usti-zpravy_hrk]. |
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