Topic: Oil Shale Use in Estonia

Resolutions:

  • Using oil shale for energy generation is the only way to balance the uncertainty of producing solar and wind energy due to weather conditions.
  • The only way to stop using oil shale for Estonian energy production is to switch to nuclear energy.
  • The benefits of bulding an offshore wind park near Hiiumaa island outweigh the potential environmental damage

Description: The Estonian energy sector is almost exclusively dependant on oil shale as it plentiful in the country’s easterns parts right next to the Russian boarder. Oil shale is an organic-rich sedimentary rock and can be either burnt directly to generate heat and power, or can be made into shale oil, which can substitute crude oil. Compared to ither fossil fuels, oil shale and shale oil are costlier (both in environmental and financial terms) to process and are less effective. As the climate crisis becomes more apparent, discussions about stopping oil shale mining altogether have surfaced, but have not always been based on scientific data and facts. This educational package seeks to give students the change to debate on a deeply relevant and timely topic. This package will be available in Estonian exclusively as oil shale is not a prominent energy source in other European countries (or, in fact, other countries globally

Topic:: Energy Management

Resolutions:

  • Driving a car running on electricity generated from fossil fuels is eco-friendlier than driving a car running on petrol.
  • In order to reduce the harms of climate change, people should allow wind turbines to be set up in their back yards.
  • Solar panels are better to use in power production than wind turbines.
  • Because the production of wind & solar energy is unpredictable, people must get used to the idea that electricity might not always be available in the near future.

Description: As global demand for energy continues to rise rapidly and environmental concerns deepen, questions about sustainable energy production take center stage. The future of energy management presents many wicked problems, combining technological issues with social problems. Often the answers are more focused on risk mitigation rather than a uniquely “rights” and “wrongs”

Topic: Climate Crisis

Resolutions:

  • Global ocean levels will rise about 2 metres by the end of the 21st century, and that’s why we cannot develop costal areas anymore.
  • To combat the climate crisis, every person has to skip at least one air flight a year.
  • Organic tomatoes from Spain are eco-friendlier than local greenhouse tomatoes.
  • All species have to adapt to the effects of climate change, except for humans.
  • Students must learn about climate change at school, not spend their Fridays protesti

Description: Although the energy-related educational packages address the topic of climate crisis, a separate package presents the opportunity to broaden the students’ viewpoint. The climate crisis is entwined with energy production and consumption issues, but is also a wider concern affecting other aspects of scientific research and our daily lives. This educational package explores the local and global effects of climate change, the problem of individual (consumer) choices versus the accountability of industries etc. This package combines scientific issues with ethical ones in a more straightforward manner.

Topic: Biodiversity

Resolution: 

  • Extensive lawnmowing should be banned in urban settlements.
  • It is better to keep bees in cities rather than on farmlands.
  • The beach rose (Rosa rugosa) should be eradicated from nature.

Description: Cities are usually considered purely artificial enivironments rather than areas rich in diverse species. But in reality, cities can be more biodiverse than the surrounding areas, usually extensive farm lands and production grounds. Scientific literature shows that the wellbeing of urban dwellers is liked to the urban settlement’s biodiversity. This educational package explores the concept of biodiversity and puts it in a relevant (close-to-home) context. Students will explore the importance of bees, the effect of invasive species, and other practical issues concerning biodiversity.

 

Topic: Circular Economy

Resolution: Plastic packaging is vital for storing foodstuff hygienically.

Description: This educational package introduces the concept of circular economy – the idea that today’s economy is based on take-make-waste, whereas circular economy strives to leave out waste as much as possible, and to concentrate on reuse, recycling, etc. This educational package encourages students to consider production & consumption, the carbon cycle in ecosystems, and sustainability issues on the whole.