DOCSLIB.ORG

Biogenic Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Agriculture in Europe – Quantification and Mitigation

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Biogenic Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Agriculture in Europe – Quantification and Mitigation Aus dem Institut für Landwirtschaftliche Betriebslehre (410b) Universität Hohenheim Fachgebiet: Analyse, Planung und Organisation der landwirtschaftlichen Produktion Prof. Dr.sc.agr. Drs.h.c. Jürgen Zeddies Biogenic Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Agriculture in Europe – Quantification and Mitigation Dissertation zur Erlangung des Grades eines Doktors der Agrarwissenschaften der Faktultät IV – Agrarwissenschaften II (Agrarökonomie, Agrartechnik und Tierproduktion) von Annette Freibauer aus Donauwörth 2002 Die vorliegende Arbeit wurde am 18.2.2002 in der Fakultät IV – Agrarwissenschaften II der Universität Hohenheim als “Dissertation zur Erlangung des Grades eines Doktors der Agrarwissenschaften” angenommen. Tag der mündlichen Prüfung: 2.4.2002 Dekan: Prof. Dr.sc.agr. S. Dabbert Berichterstatter, 1. Prüfer: Prof. Dr. Drs. H.c. Jürgen Zeddies, Institut für Landwirtschaftliche Betriebslehre (410b) Mitberichterstatter: PD Dr.-Ing. Martin Kaltschmitt, Institut für Energetik und Umwelt, Leipzig 2. Prüfer: Prof. Dr. Karl Stahr, Institut für Bodenkunde und Standortslehre (310) 3. Prüfer: Prof. Dr. W. Claupein, Institut für Pflanzenbau und Grünland (340) Meinen Eltern Contents I Contents CONTENTS............................................................................................................................... I LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................................V LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................VII ABBREVIATIONS.................................................................................................................IX CONVERSION TABLE..........................................................................................................X 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................1 1.1 POLITICAL BACKGROUND.................................................................................................1 1.1.1 Climate policy.........................................................................................................2 1.1.2 Agricultural policy..................................................................................................4 1.2 MITIGATION OF GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS .................................................................6 1.2.1 Carbon sequestration..............................................................................................6 1.2.2 Carbon substitution ................................................................................................8 1.2.3 Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions................................................................11 1.2.4 Comparison of strategies......................................................................................13 1.2.5 Indirect greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture............................................15 1.2.6 Potential and limitation of agriculture for greenhouse gas mitigation................16 1.3 AIM AND STRUCTURE.....................................................................................................17 1.3.1 Aim and scope.......................................................................................................17 1.3.2 Structure ...............................................................................................................19 REFERENCES ..........................................................................................................................21 2 POTENTIAL AND RISKS OF CARBON SEQUESTRATION IN THE BIOSPHERE...........................................................................................................................27 ABSTRACT .............................................................................................................................27 2.1 INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................................27 2.1.1 Carbon stocks.......................................................................................................28 2.1.2 Carbon fluxes........................................................................................................28 2.1.3 Carbon sinks in the Kyoto Protocol .....................................................................29 2.1.4 Aim and scope.......................................................................................................29 2.2 OPTIONS FOR CARBON SEQUESTRATION.........................................................................29 2.2.1 Land use change ...................................................................................................30 2.2.2 Land management ................................................................................................31 2.3 POTENTIAL AND RISKS OF CARBON SEQUESTRATION......................................................32 II Contents 2.3.1 Methodology and assumptions..............................................................................32 2.3.2 Land use change....................................................................................................33 2.3.3 Land management.................................................................................................34 2.4 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF CARBON SEQUESTRATION ...............................................37 2.5 UNCERTAINTIES IN CARBON SEQUESTRATION ................................................................37 2.6 CARBON SEQUESTRATION IN THE CONTEXT OF THE KYOTO PROTOCOL..........................38 2.7 CONCLUSIONS ................................................................................................................39 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS...........................................................................................................40 REFERENCES ..........................................................................................................................40 3 GASEOUS NITROGEN COMPOUNDS IN THE LIFE CYCLE OF ENERGY CROPS .....................................................................................................................................43 ABSTRACT..............................................................................................................................43 3.1 INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................43 3.2 METHODOLOGICAL BASIS ..............................................................................................44 3.2.1 Goal and scope definition .....................................................................................45 3.2.2 Inventory analysis .................................................................................................49 3.2.3 Impact assessment.................................................................................................51 3.2.4 Interpretation........................................................................................................52 3.3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION .............................................................................................52 3.3.1 Inventory analysis .................................................................................................53 3.3.2 Impact assessment.................................................................................................56 3.3.3 Sensitivity analyses................................................................................................57 3.4 CONCLUSIONS AND OUTLOOK ........................................................................................60 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS...........................................................................................................61 REFERENCES ..........................................................................................................................61 4 CONTROLS AND MODELS FOR ESTIMATING DIRECT NITROUS OXIDE EMISSIONS FROM TEMPERATE AND SUB-BOREAL AGRICULTURAL MINERAL SOILS IN EUROPE............................................................................................65 ABSTRACT..............................................................................................................................65 4.1 INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................65 4.1.1 Controls of soilborne N2O emissions....................................................................66 4.1.2 Quantification of soilborne N2O emissions...........................................................69 4.2 MATERIAL AND METHODS .............................................................................................70 4.2.1 Nitrous oxide and site data...................................................................................71 4.2.2 Statistical analyses................................................................................................72 4.3 RESULTS.........................................................................................................................74 4.3.1 Homogeneous climatic groups..............................................................................74 4.3.2 Importance of controlling factors.........................................................................75 4.3.3 Combined effects...................................................................................................79
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Dissertation „Methodological Approaches for Assessing the Environmental Performance of Perennial Crop- Based Value Chains”
    Institute of Crop Science (340) Department of Biobased Products and Energy Crops (340b) D-70599 Stuttgart-Hohenheim, Germany Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Iris Lewandowski Dissertation „Methodological approaches for assessing the environmental performance of perennial crop- based value chains” Submitted to the Faculty of Agricultural Science, in fulfilment of the regulations to acquire the degree: Doctor scientiarum agriculturae (Dr. sc. agr.) Date of the acceptance of the dissertation: 02.10.2017 Date of oral exam: 29.11.2017 Submitted by Moritz Wagner Dean Faculty of Agricultural Science Prof. Dr. Ralf T. Vögele Thesis Committee Supervisor Prof. Dr. Iris Lewandowski University of Hohenheim, Germany Co-Supervisors Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin Kaltschmitt Hamburg University of Technology, Germany Prof. Dr. Christian Lippert University of Hohenheim, Germany Content List of Figures ............................................................................................................................ ii List of Acronyms ....................................................................................................................... iii Abstract ...................................................................................................................................... 1 Zusammenfassung ...................................................................................................................... 3 1. General Introduction .................................................................................................... 6 1.1.
    [Show full text]
  • CV Kaltschmitt.Pdf
    Martin KALTSCHMITT 1 Curriculum Vitae 1. Proposed Position: - 2. Name of Firm: Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), Institute of Environmental Technology and Energy Economics (IUE) 3. Name of Staff: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin Kaltschmitt 4. Date of Birth: 18th April 1961 Nationality: Germany 5. Education 81 – 86 Study of Petroleum Engineering at Clausthal University of Technology (Prediploma 3/1983, Diploma 9/1986) 86 – 90 PhD-Student at University of Stuttgart 90 Graduation (oral examination 12/1990) 91 – 92 Post-Doc Scholarship from DFG Head of research group "Renewable Energy" 96 – 97 Habilitation in the field "Renewable Energy" 98 – 00 Research scholarship from DFG at King's College London, at University of California in Berkeley resp. at University of Stuttgart 03 Appointment as Honorary Professor for "Renewable Energy" at Freiberg University of Technology 6. Membership of Professional Associations: VDI-GET, DGMK, KTBL 7. Selected Other Activities since 90 More than 18 book publications, more than 180 publications in scientific journals, more than 250 conference contributions and more than 130 scien- tific speeches since 92 Short time consultancy activities for various institutions (u. a. EC DG RTD and DG TREN, IAEA, BMELV, BMWi, DFG, FWF, FNR, DBU) since 01 Chairman of the working group Terminology, Definition and Description" of CEN TC 335 "Solid Biofuels" since 02 Chairman of the VDI-Committee "Renewable Energy" (FA-RE) since 02 Chairman of the VDI-Standards Committee "Quality Criteria Biogas" since 06 Chairman of the working group "Sustainability" of the European Biofuels Technology Platform since 07 Member of the Board of Trustees and the Scientific Committee of the IMDEA Energy Institute in Madrid / Spain since 11 Editor of the “Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery”-Jounal since 11 Member of the Hamburg Academy of Science CV Kaltschmitt Martin KALTSCHMITT 2 8.
    [Show full text]
  • Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology Series
    Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology Series Editor-in-Chief Robert A. Meyers The Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology series (ESST) addresses the grand challenge for science and engineering today. It provides unprecedented, peer-reviewed coverage in more than 600 separate articles comprising 20 topical volumes, incorporating many updates from the first edition as well as new articles. ESST establishes a foundation for the many sustainability and policy evaluations being performed in institutions worldwide. An indispensable resource for scientists and engineers in developing new technologies and for applying existing technologies to sustainability, the Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology series is presented at the university and professional level needed for scientists, engineers, and their students to support real progress in sustainability science and technology. Although the emphasis is on science and technology rather than policy, the Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology series is also a com- prehensive and authoritative resource for policy makers who want to under- stand the scope of research and development and how these bottom-up innovations map on to the sustainability challenge. More information about this series at https://link.springer.com/bookseries/15436 Martin Kaltschmitt Editor Energy from Organic Materials (Biomass) A Volume in the Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology, Second Edition Volume 2 With 615 Figures and 228 Tables Editor Martin Kaltschmitt Institute of Environmental Technology and Energy Economics (IUE) Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) Hamburg, Germany ISBN 978-1-4939-7812-0 ISBN 978-1-4939-7813-7 (eBook) ISBN 978-1-4939-7814-4 (print and electronic bundle) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7813-7 Library of Congress Control Number: 2018944126 # Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2019 This work is subject to copyright.
    [Show full text]
  • Innovation Outlook: Advanced Liquid Biofuels
    INNOVATION OUTLOOK ADVANCED LIQUID BIOFUELS Copyright © IRENA 2016 Unless otherwise stated, this publication and material featured herein are the property of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and are subject to copyright by IRENA. Material in this publication may be freely used, shared, copied, reproduced, printed and/or stored, provided that all such material is clearly attributed to IRENA and bears a notation that it is subject to copyright (© IRENA). Material contained in this publication attributed to third parties may be subject to third-party copyright and separate terms of use and restrictions, including restrictions in relation to any commercial use. ISBN 978-92-95111-51-6 (print) ISBN 978-92-95111-52-3 (PDF) About IRENA IRENA is an intergovernmental organisation that supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future, and serves as the principal platform for international co-operation, a centre of excellence, and a repository of policy, technology, resource and fi nancial knowledge on renewable energy. IRENA promotes the widespread adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy, including bioenergy, geothermal, hydropower, ocean, solar and wind energy, in the pursuit of sustainable development, energy access, energy security and low carbon economic growth and prosperity. www.irena.org Acknowledgements This report benefi ted greatly from reviews and comments by experts and institutions including: Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest), Jim McMillan (US National Renewable Energy Laboratory – NREL and International Energy Agency – IEA Bioenergy), Jim Spaeth (US Department of Energy – US DOE) and Arthur Wellinger (IEA Bioenergy). IRENA would also like to thank the following experts for inputs: David Bauner (Renetech), Ami Ben-Amotz (formerly at Seambiotic and The National Institute of Oceanography of Israel), John Benemann (MicroBio Engineering), Robert C.
    [Show full text]
  • Professorship of Renewable Energy Carriers Biomass
    Institute of Energy Technology – Professorship of Renewable Energy Carriers Invitation to a Seminar Date: December 9, 2019 Time: 11:00-12:00 Place: ETH Zürich, ML-J25 Speaker: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin Kaltschmitt Hamburg University of Technology Institute of Environmental Technology and Energy Economics D-21073 Hamburg Title: Biomass-based Fuels: The silver bullet for GHG-neutral mobility? To reduce GHG emissions also within the mobility sector biomass-based fuels have been pro- moted by the EU throughout the last decades – and in parallel, they have been more and more controversial discussed especially by the environmental NGO’s. Against this back- ground, the overarching goal of this presentation is to give an overview about the existing pathways for the provision of transportation fuels fulfilling the given fuel standards (e.g. CEN- standards, ASTM-standards) based on various types of biogenic feedstock. For that, the basic feedstock availability as well as the given technical challenges are discussed in detail. Based on this analysis, conclusions are drawn about the role of these fuels to contribute to the defossilation of the mobility system on a global scale. Additionally questions related to the given alternatives are tackled in this respect. Martin Kaltschmitt studied petroleum engineering at Clausthal University of Technology, Ger- many. He received his PhD in the field of renewable energies at Stuttgart University, Germany. Afterwards he headed a research group in the field of biomass / renewable energy at the same university where he completed his Habilitation. After a research stay at King's College in Lon- don, UK and at the University of California at Berkeley, USA he was promoted to managing director of the Leipziger Institute for Energy GmbH.
    [Show full text]
  • ICAO State Action Plan for CO2 Emissions Reduction – Germany –
    ICAO State Action Plan for CO2 Emissions Reduction – Germany – Third edition, September 2018 Page 1 Impressum Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure Directorate General for Civil Aviation Robert-Schuman-Platz 1 D-53175 Bonn Germany Contact Dr. Martin Schaefer Telephone +49 228 99300-4571 Fax +49 228 99300-807-4571 Email [email protected] Date September 2018 Page 2 Contents List of Abbreviations 5 List of Figures 7 List of Tables 8 Executive summary 9 A Introduction 13 B Aviation in the Federal Republic of Germany 15 B.1 General characteristics of Germany and its aviation sector 15 B.2 Passenger and cargo air traffic to and from Germany 15 B.3 CO2 emissions of flights from German airports 18 B.4 Efficiency improvements by German airlines and airports 19 C Aviation in Europe, ECAC Baseline Scenario and Benefits of Implemented Measures 21 C.1 Aviation in Europe, European Aviation Environmental Report 21 C.2 ECAC Baseline Scenario 21 C.3 ECAC Scenario with Implemented Measures, Estimated Benefits of Measures 26 D Actions Taken Collectively Throughout Europe 30 D.1 Aircraft-related technology development 30 D.2 Alternative fuels 32 D.3 Improved Air Traffic Management and Infrastructure Use 36 D.4 Economic / market-based measures 46 D.5 EU Initiatives in Third Countries 51 D.6 Support to voluntary actions 52 E National actions in the Federal Republic of Germany 55 E.1 Aircraft-related technology development 55 E.2 Alternative fuels 59 E.3 Improved Air Traffic Management and infrastructure use 60 E.4 Economic / market-based
    [Show full text]
  • Energy Reports Renewable Electricity Targets in Selected MENA Countries
    Energy Reports 5 (2019) 1470–1487 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Energy Reports journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/egyr Research paper Renewable electricity targets in selected MENA countries – Assessment of available resources, generation costs and GHG emissions ∗ Sebastian Timmerberg a,b, , Anas Sanna a, Martin Kaltschmitt a, Matthias Finkbeiner b a Hamburg University of Technology, Germany b Technische Universität Berlin, Germany article info a b s t r a c t Article history: MENA countries published national policy targets for the implementation of electricity from renewable Received 28 May 2019 energy (RE). These targets are important as they serve as framework for stakeholders in the energy Received in revised form 5 September 2019 sector like businesses and administration, while also showing governmental ambitions to the public. Accepted 3 October 2019 This paper investigates the impact on resources, generation cost and GHG emissions if the targets are Available online 25 October 2019 met. It also examines whether the current development is achieving the targets and how the targets perform in the light of the Paris Agreement. 13 to 52 % of electricity from RE is targeted for 2030. The necessary RE expansion exceeds the current expansion in most countries. Only in Morocco and Jordan are projects indicating that the targets might be reached. From a resource perspective, a much stronger expansion is possible. Beneficial locations exist allowing to cover the domestic demand or even an export of electrical energy or derived energy carrier. Furthermore, especially PV, but also wind systems, can generate electricity in many areas for lower cost than fossil fuel fired power plants.
    [Show full text]
  • Final Project Report Draft
    TREN/05/FP6EN/S07.56632/019895 Bio‐SNG – Demonstration of the production and utilization of synthetic natural gas (SNG) from solid biofuels Specific Targeted Research or Innovation Project D 1.4 FINAL PROJECT REPORT Due date of delivery: 12/2009 Actual transmission date: 12/2009 Start date of project: 01‐05‐06 Duration: 42 months Michael Seiffert, Stefan Rönsch, Ralf Schmersahl, Martin Zeymer, Stefan Majer, Christian Pätz, Martin Kaltschmitt German Biomass Research Centre Reinhard Rauch (TUV); Barbara Rehling (TUV/Repotec); Harald Tremmel (Repotec); Daniel Ulrich (CTU); Serge Biollaz, Tilmann Schildhauer (PSI) Revision 0 Draft 1 Project co‐funded by the European Commission within the Sixth Framework Programme Dissemination Level PU Public X PP Restricted to other programme participants (including Commission Services) Restricted to a group specified by the consortium (including the Commission RE Services) Confidential, only for members of the consortium (including the Commission CO Services) Table of content TABLE OF CONTENT Table of content ......................................................................................................................... II List of abbreviations .................................................................................................................. III 1 Project execution ............................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Publishable summary ................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Biofuels – on the Way to Sustainability? Opinion
    Journal of Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development (RESD) Volume 2, Issue 2, December 2016 - ISSN 2356-8569 http://dx.doi.org/10.21622/RESD.2016.02.2.060 Biofuels – On the way to sustainability? Opinion Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin Kaltschmitt Head of the Institute of Environmental Technology and Energy Economics (IUE) Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) Hamburg, Germany Email: [email protected] Biofuels contribute to cover the strongly increasing energy demand within our global transportation system. The current status of biofuel production can be summarized on a world wide scale as follows [1, 2]: Bioethanol. About 97 Billion l of ethanol (2,218 PJ) were produced in 2015. Roughly 57 % were provided within the US (56.1 Billion l; 1,282 PJ; primarily from corn) and approx. 28 % in Brazil (26.8 Billion l; 614 PJ; mainly from sugar cane). The remaining 15 % were produced in Europe and Asia. Biodiesel / HVO. In 2015, ca. 32 Billion l (1,050 PJ) Biodiesel / HVO have been sold. Brazil provided ca. 3.5 Billion l (116 PJ) and Germany roughly 3.2 Billion l (105 PJ). The market in North America is dominated by the US with 16 % of the global production (168 PJ). The remaining rest is widely distributed throughout the world and comes from smaller markets like Argentine, Indonesia and other countries. Other biofuels. To a very minor extend, also bio-methane as well as pure vegetable oil are used within the transport sector. But on a global scale the contribution of these options is negligible. Related to the overall energy demand for transportation purposes this biofuel use of roughly 3.3 EJ (2015) represents a share of less than 3 % [3].
    [Show full text]
  • Speakers: Cvs & Abstracts
    European Biofuels Technology Platform: Stakeholder Plenary Meeting Speakers: CVs & Abstracts WELCOME & KEYNOTE ADDRESS Jose Manuel Silva, European Commission, Directorate General for Research From 1971 until his incorporation into SOIVRE, while an inspector in the Ministry of Economy and Trade, he was a professor at the School of Agricultural Engineers in Madrid and worked in the private sector in export companies as well as on animal food projects. From 1979 until 1982 he was Employed in the Directorate general of Internal Trade and in the Directorate General of Trade Policy at the Ministry of Economy and Trade, Madrid. In 1983 he became a Counsellor in agricultural affairs and member of the delegation for the Spanish accession negotiation at the Secretaria de Estado, Madrid. Since 1986 he has worked for the Directorate of Agriculture in various capacities. In 1999 he was made Director General for Agriculture and Rurual Development, and in January 2006 became Director General for Research. Key Points • The European Union is strongly dependent on fossil fuels to satisfy its transport needs • Security of supply and sustainable fuel production are at the core of our energy and transport policies • Biofuels are currently the only viable short-to-medium term alternative to fossil fuels • Research is a key element to address the challenges inherent to an increased level of biofuel production and use, in particular their performance in terms of greenhouse gas reduction throughout the entire production chain • These challenges are not only technical
    [Show full text]
  • Outdoor Cultivation of Chlorella Vulgaris - Assessment of Yield Influencing Parameters and Application As Biogas Substrate
    Outdoor cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris - Assessment of yield influencing parameters and application as biogas substrate Vom Promotionsausschuss der Technischen Universität Hamburg-Harburg zur Erlangung des akademischen Grades Doktorin der Naturwissenschaften (Dr. rer. nat.) genehmigte Dissertation von Stephanie Brandt aus Helmstedt 2015 Gutachter Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin Kaltschmitt Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Andreas Liese Tag der mündlichen Prüfung 06. Januar 2015 Danksagung Mein besonderer Dank gilt Herrn Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin Kaltschmitt für die wissenschaftliche Betreuung meiner Arbeit, für wertvolle Anregungen und Diskussionen und für die volle Unter- stützung. Herrn Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Andreas Liese danke ich für seine Bereitschaft als Korreferent meine Arbeit zu begutachten. Weiterhin gilt mein Dank Frau Prof. Dr.-Ing. Kerstin Kuchta, die mich in ihrer Arbeitsgruppe aufgenommen und stets bei meiner Arbeit unterstützt hat. Ein herzliches Dankeschön geht auch an all die anderen Kolleginnen und Kollegen aus der Schloßstraße, insbesondere Jörn Heeren- klage, für die Hilfestellungen im Labor und bei den Versuchen und für erbauliche Flurdiskussio- nen und kurzweilige Kaffeepausen. Frau Dr. Barbara Klippel danke ich für die Unterstützung bei den Enzymversuchen. Ohne meine Kollegen und Kolleginnen der E.ON Hanse AG wäre diese Doktorarbeit nicht zu- stande gekommen. Insbesondere gilt mein Dank Ralf, Claus, Thomas, Kai-Uwe, Nebo, Jasmina, Uwe, Ahmet, Kai, Roman, Arno, Herrn Behrens, Mario und Melanie. Das waren ein paar wirklich gute Jahre mit Euch! Ein weiterer Dank geht an die Arbeitsgruppe von Frau Dr. Ulrike Schmid-Staiger vom Fraunhofer- Institut für Grenzflächen- und Bioverfahrenstechnik IGB in Stuttgart für die Ermöglichung der Fettsäureanalytik und für interessante fachliche Gespräche (Danke auch Dir, Ronja!).
    [Show full text]
  • Mathematics for Society
    XVII BALTIC CONFERENCE ON INTELLECTUAL COOPERATION MATHEMATICS FOR SOCIETY 28–29 June 2021 Estonian Academy of Sciences Tallinn 1 ORGANISERS OF THE CONFERENCE: ORGANISERS OF THE PRE-SEMINAR ON ENERGETICS: _____ Compiled by Terje Tuisk Edited by Margit Sepp Designed by Kaspar Ehlvest Photos by Reti Kokk “Never alone again,” said the people who restored the independence of the Baltic States three decades ago. This message was coined into various agree- ments in many ways, starting from the Baltic Assembly almost 30 years ago, restoring diplomatic relationships with many countries soon thereafter, entering the European Union a dozen years later, and reaching the world- wide scene by serving as members of the United Nations Security Council. Science and scientists are, by defi nition, never alone even though their labs and universities are physically separated. The voice of scientists, however, becomes much stronger when their efforts are concerted. The academic FOREWORD communities of the Baltic States realised this aspect many decades ago. They are gathering for the 17th time to rejoice and strengthen that idea, now together with sister academies in Finland and Hamburg. The importance of the voice of science is rapidly growing as the competi- tiveness of countries, regions and even continents greatly depends on the ability of society to extract competence from the academic landscape for the benefi t of all people. The more complicated are contemporary challenges, the larger is the role of science, scientists and scientifi c cooperation in supporting the needs of society. Helmut Schwarz, a foreign member of the Estonian Academy of Sciences, has stressed that without science we are unlikely to be able to construct a future that is worth living.
    [Show full text]