ОЦ ЭИ

Organization for security and cooperation in Civic actions for environment

Europe, Office in Yerevan and security

IN THIS NUMBER In this number we represent the

most important and outstanding
events implemented by the centers
in March-April.

1. Spruces are at the epicenter of urban interests

of Gyumri municipality – page 2
2. We speak for changes – page 3
3. Agreements reffering to the Aarhus centers and ENVSEC projects – page 3
4. Tours through Idjevan „‟hot points‟‟ in cooperation with EcoLur‟‟ - page 4
5. The time of environmentalists – page 4
6. Ecological risks of mining industry – page 5
7. Landslide zones and polluted nature; Obstacle to tourism development -page 6
8. Population‟s behavior rules before the earthquake, during the earthquake and after the earthquake - page 6
9. Hrazdan against mine – page 7
10. Public hearing in Sotq community devoted to the grinding-sorting complex construction – page 8
11. Real environmental holiday – page 9
12. Acquaintance with the native nature – page 9
13. Working meeting with the governor of Lori region – page 10
14. Are the temperature changes natural? – page 10
„‟If the nature fades under the human in fluence, then the human being also
fades together with it‟‟ – A. Kurosava

Spruces are at the epicenter of urban interests of Gyumri municipality

On March 11, 2011, a public discussion about urban situation and

planned activities in Vardanants Square and Aragats avenue of
Gyumri was held at the JOURNALISTS club "Arena". About two
weeks ago, by the invitation of L. Khachatryan, Senior Adviser to
Gyumri Mayor G. Petrosyan, Aarhus Center Coordinator had a
consultative meeting at the City Council refer to urban situation and
planned activities in Vardanants Square and Aragats avenue. As a
was decided to conduct public debate refer
result it to the above mentioned educational institutions. From
municipality the meeting was attended by senior adviser to Mayor, head of media department, the chief
architect of Gyumri and the dendrolog. The meeting was opened by G. Petrosyan, at the beginning the latter
presented goal of the meeting, prehistory of the meeting organizing, afterwards, employees of the
municipality presented what changes are planned to implement at Vardanants Square and Aragats avenue of
Gyumri and substantiated their view. In particular it was noted that eight fir trees of green islet nearby the
square and three at Aragats avenue are planned to be replaced. For that purpose the ”Landshaft Design” Ltd.
has made a preliminary study and presented an estimate; replacement of each tree will cost 313,714 drams.
Then architect H. Gasparyan presented the Aragats avenue improvement project. It was interesting that the
dendrolog of municipality considers the trees replacement almost useless thing; because experience has
shown that it usually does not grow after replacing. After submission, there were voiced many questions,
various issues were raised, revolved heated discussion, views were presented, which resulted a statement of
NGOs and citizens regarding to urban situation and planned activities in Vardanants Square and Aragats
avenue of Gyumri , in which society express its disapproval refer to anti–spruce policy implemented by
Gyumri municipality and offers to review and conform the requirements of legislation to the planned urban
development activities in Vardanants Square and Aragats avenue of Gyumri.

In the history of Gyumri, this was the first public discussion, which was broadcasted live by internet and
many citizens of Gyumri at their homes had an opportunity to follow the current debate and to make their
comments and suggestions in electronic format, some of the discussion sections are posted online and they
can be found at http://www.blogtv.com/Shows/1850632/date/ZePvZ2TuZOFxZm7GY23:
In general about this public discussion can be said that it was a
progressive step forward interactions between Gyumri
municipality and structures of civil society, as the public was
informed and involved in significance to community at the stage of
decision-making process when the activity is not implemented yet
and there is an opportunity to participate and influence upon
decision-making process and the final decision.

According to the data of Global natural disasters
committee, during the period of 1962-1992, the
annual average number of victims of natural
disasters reached to 4.3%, while injured 8, 6%.
According to the International Disaster Risk
Reduction Strategy Report in 1980-1990 the average
number of victims was 65 thousand, in 2000-2009-
78 thousand, in 2010- more than 350 thousand
people. This is why the Information Center of
Ministry of Emergency Situations never stops
repeating „Aware person is protected‟
continuing disaster risk reduction actions through
public awareness and training. But Armenia does not
yet have relevant strategy to confront disasters, it is
planned to develop within the framework of the
Hyogo Action Plan for 2005-2015 (Nations and
communities developing skills to withstand
disasters). The Program was adopted by the World
Disaster Reduction Conference in January, 2005. The
conference offered unique opportunity
presentation of strategic coordinated approaches and
promotion towards disaster vulnerability
disaster risk reduction. The latter highlighted the
need for capacity development and the importance
of nations and communities to withstand disasters
and showed the ways of forming those capabilities.
We speak for changes
On March 2-3, a working meeting with a very saturated
agenda under the theme “Exchange of perspectives refer to
disaster reduction” was held, attended by the
representatives of the Armenian Aarhus Centers. The
meeting was organized by the Caucasus Regional
Environmental Centre, Ministry of Emergency Situations,
with the support of the UNDP DRM Program and Oxfam
UK humanitarian assistance program.Coordinator of Goris
Aarhus Center talked about the importance of the process
of governing structures transparent functioning and the
willingness of the Aarhus centers cooperation. Coordinator
of Dilijan Aarhus Center spoke about the danger of
landslides. Coordinator of the Aarhus Centre in Ararat,
head of the “Green Planet” NGO expressed discontent
about the public unawareness over large-scale actions
directed to disaster risk assessment implemented within
thus the frames of the UNDP's program in the territory of the
region. The meeting highlighted the capacity of the Aarhus
Centers in disaster prevention towards increasing public
awareness. N. Grigoryan, national coordinator of Hyogo
Action Plan, Ministry of Emergency Situations, informed
about their plans to involve the Aarhus Centers in the
emergency notification process.
for
and

Agreements referring to the Aarhus Centers and ENVSEC projects

RoA Minister of Nature Protection Aram Harutyunyan received the head and the
ambassador of OSCE Office in Yerevan Mr. Kapinos and the responsible of economic and
environmental project B. Hanlon. Before the meeting the minister applied to the OSCE
Office making the matter of discussion the implemented works by the Aarhus centers in
the frames of „‟ ENVSEC‟‟ initiative thus aiming to work with the office more efficiently.
As a result of the discussion the minister of nature protection and the OSCE ambassador
made agreements on the management of Aarhus centers and the coordination of the

implementing projects in the frames of ENVSEC. Press service of the ministry of nature protection reports that in the ENVSEC
case importance was attached to the active cooperation with the Ministry of foreign affairs.

www.hetq.am
 Tour through Idjevan "hot points" in cooperation with "EcoLur"

“EcoLur” NGO in cooperation with Ijevan Aarhus Centre conducted a tour through hot points
of Ijevan region. The main goal was to get familiarized with the management of forests. The
main objective of the tour initiated by "EkoLur" chairman was aimed to get answers to some
questions, especially refer to essence of an investment business-related program in the forest
sector initiated by the “Armforest” and the RoA Ministry of Agriculture. For such project is
selected Tavush region. We would like to inform that the business must submit a plan for
required amount of timber, as well as alleged investment for recycling timber to a certain
measure. "We have no forests of industrial significance. In forest communities there is not left a
In forest communities there is not left a territory with radius of 5-6 km there could be possible
to get industrial timber”- this is the general opinion of one of the responsible experts of the regional administration about advisability of the
above mentioned business plan. According to his words for going back to forest it should be where there are no roads, where the forest
grows at abrupt slopes. For building roads will cut more forest. As a few days ago in discussion organized in Ijevan Aarhus Centre in
connection with illegal logging the employee of Ijevan forestry noted 8 thousand families only in Ijevan forestry are using timber wood for
heating. Except Ijevan there are also three forestry in Tavush: Artsvaberd, Sevkar and Noyemberyan which have more annual plan. By
“EkoLur” estimate, if every family is burning10-15 cubic meters of wood annually, then it turns out that in Ijevan forestry are burning
minimum of 80 thousand cubic meters of wood, while in the remaining three forestry another 240 thousand cubic meters of forest. "To it
should be added 20 percent of the industrial timber, about 70 thousand cubic meters, which are sent to the wood processing enterprises. In
other words, only in Tavush is cut about 400 thousand cubic meters of wood”,- was marked at the website of the NGO. By the way, residents
of adjacent forest areas of the communities are not particularly enthusiastic about the business plan. Everybody knows that the oligarchs are
once again to win of it, at the expense of the forest they will accumulate money, and they even within the frames of the law are not able to
enter the forest. Residents of Vazashen village, for example, are concerning, that the surrounding forest has already become a history.
Loggings are committed by ruthless manner. Segment trees recently started to use also as charcoal raw materials. Several charcoal plants are
operating in Azatamut, Vazashen, Sevkar communities. In Vazashen a tuberculosis patient, one of not being able to feed a large family, just
at the own yard put charcoal production, poisoning the whole area. Situation is much more serious in Azatamut. Serious dangers for
community residents represent exhausted gases and smoke of industrial plants placed along Aghstev riverside. As we informed, children of
Azatamut have started to fall ill with different eye diseases frequently. There are also not little respiratory diseases. It is not clear what can
stop coal-miners solving bread problem in the main. Even the fact that for the daily bread is endangered lives of their own children, no
longer stop people. Azatamut stands at the edge of a disaster. It needs help. But this is the case, when colorful painted lifebelt is no longer
attractive for a drawing man.

The time of environmentalists

On March 16, a meeting of the creative group of the environmental project “Time of
environmentalist” took place in Yerevan Aarhus Centre in which involved Coordinator of
Yeghvard Aarhus Centre. The program is the initiative of the “Consumer Support Center”
NGO. It will be consist of four main pages.
• Environmental newscast, to provide which has expressed willingness Ecolur NGO.
• Environmental NGO, where During the 3-5 minutes will be represented one or another
environmental NGO, the history of its creation, purpose, activities ... • Clarification of
Environmental legislation, rights and presentation of duties,
• Discussion of environmental problems, presentation of practical recommendations.
According to a preliminary agreement TV program will be broadcasted by public television. It is intended per issue for a week or
two weeks. Coordinator of Yeghvard Aarhus Centre made a number of recommendations related to content and organizational
issues of the program, which was greeted by other members of creative group. Although application for inclusion in the creative
team S. Ayvazyan, Coordinator of Yerevan Aarhus Center was not introduced, but she also attended the discussion with the status of
a free attendee. Employees of the Aarhus Centre informed that in preparation works of the issues they can be useful with their
knowledge and experience. Also suggested to organize the fourth part of the issue;
problems discussions by geography and film shootings at the Aarhus centers, where will
be ensured comprehensive participation and pluralism. This proposal is also accepted. It is
anticipated in the near future to prepare initial version of the telecast “Time of
environmentalist”, which will be presented to judgment both of the television, and
possible donors. Environmental initiative of this project is very important because it can
fill the existing gap in telecasts on environmental information, to serve the right and
available information to the audience, to promote the process of formation civil society.
 Ecological risks of mining industry

‟‟Ecological risks of mining industry‟‟ so was entitled the topic of the debatewhich was held on March 23
in Yerevan Aarhus center. The aim of the event was to bring to public attention research results
implemented within the framework of the project “risk assessment of agricultural pollution by heavy
metals” (supported by the OSCE office in Yerevan) carried out by professionals of Center for Ecological
Noosphere Studies of the National Academy of Sciences and to discuss the situation existing in the field
with representatives of state and non-governmental organizations. By presentation of the head of
laboratory of Geochemistry of the Center for Ecological Noosphere Studies 50-70% of toxic elements
through the food passes into organism, this is the reason that in the mentioned researches emphasis is
placed on agricultural food research. Researches have started from the irrigation water, mainly at the
river basins of Debed and Voghji. Adjacent to Kapan is situated Artsvanik tailing storage where flow
tailings of Kajaran, and run out so-called "conventional pure water", which irrigated lands of agricultural
importance of Syunik community. In that "conventional clean waters" specialists have found mercury.
Exceeding of permissible limits of toxic harmful elements were found in cultured plants in bean, carrot,
potato, fennel, carrot growing in lands of Kajaran crofts. At the areas of Kadjaran 3 tailing storages,
where pasturing about 250 cows were found mercury, arsen, cadmium, and in the milk of these cows
were found arsen, mercury and lead. Mercury was also found in honey gathered from Norashen village
nearby Kapan. Mercury, cadmium and arsen contents are also found in lands of Alaverdi, Karkop and
Neghots villages (the lands irrigated by Debed river waters) and in that lands cultivated crops and forest
berries. The mentioned elements are cancer stem cells and pose great threat to the health of the
population. The research results details are presented in the attached materials. www.aarhus.am

To mitigate the situation specialists gave some advices to residents, for example, if the vegetables will be
washed under flowing water more than half an hour, then it will be relatively safe, after boiling the milk
certain amount of toxic elements is missing, and so on. And for the settlement of the issue the director of
the NAS Center for Ecological Noosphere Studies offers – “It is prohibited mineral waters go to from
faces to channels”. There are many technologies that are very cheap and available and allow extracting
metals from mineral waters also free of charge. These technologies are used around the world mines, but
not in Armenia. First of all, it is necessary to invest these technologies. Participants discussed the
research results came to the conclusion that the mining environmental risks are visible yet at naked eye
and must be taken serious measures to control the situation and prevent further consequences. It was
decided to discuss the problem within the broader framework. According the event participants
application the issue will be discussed at the Public Council adjacent to the President of the RoA.
On March 23, within the frames of the Program “Civil dialogue and practical steps in 2010-2012” implemented by
Jinishian Memorial Fund in cooperation with School of Young Leaders a seminar with the participation of students of
YSU Idjevan Branch was held at Idjevan Aarhus Center entitled “The role and importance of tourism in civil society
development process". The training was conducted by Gayane Grigoryan. At the beginning of the course participants
introducing themselves also mentioned the places of abroad and Armenia where, in the case of financial
opportunities, they would like to visit as a tourist. From foreign countries mostly sounded the names of Argentina,
Spain, Brazil, Switzerland, Egypt, U.S., French and Greek. It cleared out that in the territory of Armenia students
prefer to get acquainted with sightseeing places of Aparan, Armavir, Syunik, Jermuk and Tsakhkadzor. The seminar
instructor Gayane Grigoryan pointed out that selection of this or that country is conditioned by the PR, the factor of
information, advertising, as well as of the slogan is important.
According to the latter, disasters, force-majeure situations affect on the number of tourists entering the country.

Landslide zones and polluted

nature; Obstacle to tourism
development

In the history of the RoA the most outstanding cases of political situations are "October 27" and "March 1". During
the seminar participants discussed various issues of tourism development. It was underlined that in Armenia just do
not know how to present the existing values. The students indicated strong and weak sides in terms of tourism
development in Tavush region. Accordingly, the distinctive strong sides are hospitable people, low crime rate,
historical and cultural monuments and favorable weather. Among the weak points were mentioned the lack of
information, lack of foreign language proficiency, low quality of service, lack of tour agencies and polluted nature.
The region‟s frontier location and existence of landslide areas were marked as threats. At the end of the seminar
participants noted those specific goals and actions, which may result to the development of tourism in Idjevan and in
Tavush.

Population‟s behavior rules before the earthquake, during the earthquake and after the
earthquake
On March 17 an Shirak Ayrarat, Lake Sevan being protected from an
informational seminar was and Lake Van basins and
earthquake. Now it‟s too
held in Aparan Aarhus Erzrum are well-known for
difficult to predict the right
center on the theme devastating earthquakes. In
place, time and power of
„‟Population‟s behavior rules the area of RoA the most
an earthquake. That‟s
before the earthquake, dangerous regions are in the
north eastern, central and why we should always be
during the earthquake and
southern parts where the ready to be protected
after the earthquake‟‟. The
earthquake strength may both from predicted and
aim of the event was to unpredicted earthquake.
provide with information to reach to 8-9 magnitudes and
in separate epicentrum even Aarhus center has
people residing in seismic foreseen to hold such
areas thus aiming to reduce more than 10 magnitudes.
The example of Spitak seminars in all schools of
the degree of risks of natural the community, as well as
disasters. The coordinator earthquake proves that great
part of human victims, to prepare and
of the center represented disseminate informational
that the Armenian highland material losses are caused
by the instability of buildings leaflets on the theme
is one of the world‟s most „‟Population‟s behavior
and the insufficient
active regions of the rules before the
preparation of population.
earthquakes where espe- earthquake, during the
The number of victims
cially Yerznka portal stands earthquake and after the
lessens, if the population
out. The regions Vayq-
knows the measures of earthquake‟‟.
Syunik regions,

Hrazdan iron ore mine is
going to be exploited by the
Chinese ‟‟Fortune oil‟‟ company.
According to the study
implemented by the „‟Hakobyan
environmental center‟‟ of American
University exploitation of iron mine
will pollute the environment of
town Hrazdan with hard metals
and will cause dangerous diseases
for the population. The mine is
only 650m far from the nearest
houses. There is also the risk of
polluting the water pumping water
resources which are installed on
the hill. It‟s obvious thet if the mine
exploitation is approved it will last
for many years even decades thus
adding air pollution which is
already available because of
Hrazdan cement factory. With the
aim of making public aware
Hrazdan Aarhus center has
prepared informational leaflets with
the short description of dangers
threatening to environment and
population health. The volunteers
of the center expressed
willingness for distributing the
leaflets among the population and
in organizing signature collecting
action, and getting prepared to the
action against Hrazdan iron mine
exploitation on March 31. On
march 31 protest action took place
in town Hrazdan against the
exploitation of the iron mine.
Speeches were made by the
representatives of local NGOs,
citizens who were concerned
about their evacuation news, as
well as expressed willingness to
struggle.
Hrazdan against iron mine
The action was organized by
Hrazdan Aarhus center in
assistance with local NGOs. The
goal of the campaign was to
represent the population the
seriousness of the problem and to
call to fight which led to the
foundation of experience of the
residents to unite and fight
together. The specialists invited to
the action presented the dangers
that will be caused by the
exploitation of the mine. Anxiety
causes the fact that, although still
„‟Fortune oil‟‟ company has not
presented any project of the
Hrazdan iron mine operation for the
RoA government consideration and
has not received positive
conclusion of the environmental
expertise of the ministry of Nature
Protection, the executive director of
the company said that in 2012 the
construction of the processing plant
will be launched in Hrazdan and
after two years annually 2 million
tons of concentrates production will
be received.
The campaign organizers and
supporters created an initiative
group that will present the problem
to judicial bodies.
Not loosing consistency in this
case on April 5 citizens of Hrazdan
together with the Aarhus center
took part in the environmental
action in Liberty square against the
ecological policy conducted by the
authorities thus invoking not to sell
the future of Hrazdan.
According to the study implemented by
J. Laymni, head of the American
university „‟Hakobyan environmental
center‟‟, candidate of biological
sciences and T. Laymn, specialist of
the same center, exploitation of iron
mine will cause serious environmental
and health harms.The mine lies 800m
from the town, 600m from Sevan-
Hrazdan waterline and 1500m from
river Hrazdan. According to the data
on air and water monitoring provided
by the RoA Ministry of nature
protection the atmospheric air and
border waters permissible densities
are broken. It‟s also mentined in the
study that mining will bring to the
pollution of drinking and irrigated
waters with heavy metals (selena,
chrome, copper, manganese and
arsen), as well as air severe pollution
which will be conditioned by the high
position of the mine1801.1-1789.7
height.
 Public discussion in Sotq community
On April 19 a public
discussion took place in devoted to
the legality problem of construction
of grinding-sorting complex in Sotq
gold mine. The discussion took
place on the initiative of Gavar
Aarhus center. The invitees of the
discussion were the heads of the
Sotq, Kut and Azat communities and
the community council members,
environmental NGOs, mass media
bothe from the marz and Yerevan,
specialists from Gegharkunik
marzpetaran department of
agriculture and ecology,
representetives from „‟Sevan NP‟‟,
residents of Sotq community,
EcoLur NGO, public ecological
alliance, „‟Transparency
international‟‟ NGO, originator of
„‟Sevan NP‟‟ master plan and other
interested parties. Representatives
from „‟Geo pro mining gold‟‟
company that exploitates the mine
were also invited but the refused to
participate beforehand announcing
that the scandalous grinding-sorting
complex presents in itself not a
structure but it‟s just an equipement.
They also stressed thet it doesn‟t
disturb the population and leave
negative impact on Lake Sevan
ecosystem and solves social
problems in the community as it is
located on a dozen kilometers. But
during the discussion head of the
Sotq community Koli Shahsuvaryan
and coordinator of Gavar Aarhus
center Lianna Asoyan represented
the conclusions done by Hakob
Sanasaryan, member of Lake
Sevan issues committee and a
number of responsible departments,
and they mentioned that the
construction works grinding-sorting
complex are being implemented in
Sotq community without holding
public hearings , without an
expertise and corresponding
construction permission.
In his turn Gagik Sukhudyan, head
originator of „‟Sevan NP‟‟ master
plan, stressed that the 10 article on
„‟RoA Lake Sevan law‟‟ was violated
according to which mining
reprocessing activity is prohibited on
Sevan basin and Lianna Asoyan
added that the 1 and the 2 pillars of
Aarhus convention were violated
without spreading corresponding
information and without holding construction works. The words of
public hearings. Residents of Sotq the community head were
and community council members approved by the visit of the
mentioned that their social problems discussion participants to the mine
are not solved by the mine where thay saw the whirl of
exploitation as scanty people from construction works. In fact the
their community work in the mine. company exploitating the mine
didn‟t take into consideration the
conclusion of Lake Sevan issues
committee attached to the RoA
president by which they should
have stopped the construction till
the got a proper permission. But
the company goes on with the work
more rapidly. Taking into
consideration all the above
mentioned, with the help of the
discussion participants‟ signatures
an annoncement was formed to be
sent to the president of the Lake
Kolik Shahsuvaryan added that
Sevan issues, RoA ministries of
since the January of this year, the
nature protection, ministry of
area and without holding public
energy and natural resources, as
hearings. Residents of Sotq and
well as RoA general attorney with
community council members
the purpose of preventing that
mentioned that their social problems
illegal construction strictly
are not solved by the mine
dangerous for Lake Sevan
exploitation as scanty people from
ecosystem.
their community work in the mine.
Kolik Shahsuvaryan added that
since the January of this year, the
area of Sotq gold mine became the
part of the administrative area of
Sotq community, hence he is
authorized for giving construction
permission which he can‟t do without
an eco expertise approval and public
hearings. Despite it „‟Geo pro mining
gold‟‟ CJSC has launched arbitrary
 Real environmental holiday

On March 26, “Yeghvard” Youth Environmental NGO jointly with

Yeghvard Aarhus Centre has organized series of events entitled “Youth
for the Environment”. Early in the morning bicyclists of the “Bicycle+”
eco–sporting NGO left from the capital to Yeghvard. At the Square of
Yeghvard Municipality the voluntary Environmentalists, bicyclists of
Yeghvard, young people, students, schoolchildren welcomed them. Film
screening about bicycles was organized at the Aarhus Centre. Head of
“Bicycle+” eco–sporting NGO introduced to the bicyclists of Yeghvard a
few important rules about safety cycling at the itinerary sectors of the
city. Afterwards all bicyclists together walked through Yeghvard streets
with posters preaching healthy lifestyle, keeping the environment clean
and using ecologically clean vehicles. After the cycle race bicyclists did
exercises for fans and admirers of this kind of sport gathered at the yard
of the school No. 3. Signature collection was held in order to establish
Youth Park. Young people of Yeghvard decided to apply to the mayor
with a letter, for providing a space to establish a park with the youth
efforts. Students of Cooking Department of Yeghvard Industrial College
also joined the action and they prepared fasting food. Series of events
ended with a rock concert. Young musicians of Bluse Band made a
performance. The day turned into a real holiday for children and young
people of Yeghvard.

Acquaintance with the native nature

On April 7 on the initiative of Gavar Aarhus center an excursion to the

geological museum of Sevan National park was organized for the pupils of
Gandzak village secondary school. The purpose of the visit was to raise the
level of eco education. Tamara Kirakosyan, the guide of the museum,
introduced to the children the history of establishment of the „‟Sevan NP‟‟
museum in 1986, she also represented those exclusive samples of bird world
and the nature that have disappeared or are on the verge of disappearance.
She represented the 267 species of birds existing in the marz 39 of which
have already appeared in the Red Book. The pupils got acquainted with the
utility fossils of the marz, the exclusive fauna and human samples discovered
in the marz and the endemic fish species. They saw the biggest trout 16kg,
95 cm caught in Lake Sevan, with the help of special dummy AREVAVAN the
pupils got acquainted with the methods of getting ecologically pure solar
electro energy. The pupils were introduced to the fluctuations schedule of
Lake Sevan since 1938 and I‟d like to stress that the level of Lake Sevan
according to the data of the first quarter of 2011 exceeds the 1900m. The
children were both surprised and delighted. According to one of the pupil‟s
words during their classes of physics they don‟t get so much information as
they have no chance to see what they read. Gavar Aarhus center will often
organize such events for pupils of different ages of various educational
institutions aiming to introduce them the whole nature world of the marz.
 Working meeting with the governor of Lori region

Based on waste dumps hopeless and dangerous situation, taking into account
that the same pressing problem is available in 113 communities of the Lori
region, on April 12 a working meeting was held at the regional council with A.
Kocharian, regional governor, with the participation of coordinators of Alaverdi
and Vanadzor Aarhus Centres, L. Paremuzyan, expert of the OSCE,
correspondent of the “Hetq online” regional newspaper and S. Khalatyan,
representative of media department of the regional council. During the meeting
were discussed the issues of the issues of waste dumps neglecting and
dangerous situations in Lori region. The governor noted that the RoA government currently pays great attention to
these questions. Referring to the issues of construction of new designed and satisfying the all requirements landfill
and tailing storages in Alaverdi, the governor also highlighted the consistent attitude of the residents and the
formation of ecological culture. On the motion of the Aarhus Centres coordinators at the meeting an agreement
was reached to organize a large-scale public discussion with direct support of Lori regional governor, with
participation of representatives of the RoA government, representatives and leaders of all communities of Lori
region, environmentalists, experts, specialists and representatives of international organizations, industrialists and
other interested parties. As a result of public discussion is expected proper attention to waste dumps, state
approach and ensuring ecological security of the environment.

NEW PAGE
Global Environmental Problems

What is global warming?

Part 2: Are the temperature changes natural? /the beginning is in the previous number/

The average global temperature and concentrations of carbon dioxide (one of the major greenhouse gases) have fluctuated
on a cycle of hundreds of thousands of years as the Earth's position relative to the sun has varied. As a result, ice ages have
come and gone.However, for thousands of years now, emissions of GHGs to the atmosphere have been balanced out by
GHGs that are naturally absorbed. As a result, GHG concentrations and temperature have been fairly stable. This stability
has allowed human civilization to develop within a consistent climate.Occasionally, other factors briefly influence global
temperatures. Volcanic eruptions, for example, emit particles that temporarily cool the Earth's surface. But these have no
lasting effect beyond a few years. Now, humans have increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by more
than a third since the industrial revolution. Changes this large have historically taken thousands of years, but are now
happening over the course of decades.The rapid rise in greenhouse gases is a problem because it is changing the climate
faster than some living things may be able to adapt. Also, a new and more unpredictable climate poses unique challenges to
all life.

Historically, Earth's climate has regularly shifted back and forth between temperatures like those we see today and
temperatures cold enough that large sheets of ice covered much of North America and Europe. The difference between
average global temperatures today and during those ice ages is only about 5 degrees Celsius, and these swings happen
slowly, over hundreds of thousands of years.Now, with concentrations of greenhouse gases rising, Earth's remaining ice
sheets (such as Greenland and Antarctica) are starting to melt too. The extra water could potentially raise sea levels
significantly.As the mercury rises, the climate can change in unexpected ways. In addition to sea levels rising, weather can
become more extreme. This means more intense major storms, more rain followed by longer and drier droughts, changes in
the ranges in which plants and animals can live, and loss of water supplies that have historically come from glaciers.

Scientists are already seeing some of these changes occurring more quickly than they had expected.

http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/gw-overview

For suggestions and feedback feel free to call:

Phone: +374 264 6 15 11
fax: +374 264 2 34 29

http://www.aarhus.am mob: +374 91 76 46 41, Email: info_gavar@aarhus.am