Risk for Mould Growth on Hemp-Lime at Different Relative Humidity

Microbial growth often thrives in humid conditions, at high relative humidity. Moulds are complex organisms; many types of mould are able to survive strong variations in humidity and temperature, such as those on building façades. For some building materials a critical relative humidity is determined, which functions as a theoretical threshold; at this (or lower) relative humidity microbial growth will likely not occur. Hemp-lime is a building material that consists of hemp shiv (the woody core parts of the hemp stem) and building lime. It is a material that can be used for walls, and even though it has been used for more than 20 years, thusfar little is known about its critical moisture levels for microbial growth. The aim of this research was therefore to determine at what relative humidity microbial growth occurs on carbonated hemp-lime material, and to study if there is a protective influence of a carbonated lime binder on the hemp shiv. The objective was to study microbial growth on hemp shiv, hemp-lime and on hemp with a thin layer of lime at three relative humidity (75 %, 85 % and 95 %) and at two different temperatures (15°C and 23°C); conditions that could occur naturally in a hemp-lime façade exposed to high rain loads in a northern European climate. Hemp shiv seems to have a relatively low resistance to microbial growth, similar to that of wood. However, because the hemp is protected by lime it can withstand much higher relative humidity without microbial growth occurring on the material. The critical moisture level for hemp-lime seemed to occur between 75 and 85 % RH, while the material was completely without microbial growth at 75 % RH. The lime had a protective effect on the hemp and acted as a mould inhibitor, both over time and with varying temperature and humidity.

Study on Behavior of Some Perennial Flowering Species Used in Vertical Systems for Green Facades in Eastern European Climate

The negative effects of urbanization such as urban overheating, pollution, high population density and so on are being experienced by city inhabitants more than ever, thus motivating a high number of researchers to find viable solutions to mitigate these effects. The present paper aims to identify an assortment of ornamental plants appropriate to be successfully used in various facade covering systems for buildings located in Eastern European countries. For this purpose, throughout a vegetation season, the project’s team thoroughly monitored the percentage of survival, the coverage degree, and the behavior (biometric aspects and visual quality) of ten flowering species planted vertically and being oriented towards all four cardinal points. At the same time, the team conducted a thorough monitoring of some parameters of the soil (pH, humidity, and temperature) and of the outside environment (light intensity and temperature). Two experimental structures were built, insulated on the inside and covered at the top with thermal insulating panels, to simulate the same conditions of an insulated and unheated construction. The monitoring results showed that Heuchera x hybrida ‘Fire Alarm’, Heuchera x hybrida ‘Marmalade’ and Festuca galuca had a healthy appearance throughout the year, regardless of the cardinal orientation while providing a good coverage of the vertical surface.

How to Adapt Mongolian Yurt to the Modern Requirements and European Climate—Airtightness versus CO2 Concentration?

There are currently trends in the world to transfer and adapt traditional solutions to contemporary needs. This applies, inter alia, to mobile shelters used by nomadic peoples. The article is devoted to the research on the quality of internal air in the yurt and the possibilities of its adaptation to high contemporary quality and environmental requirements, while maintaining its characteristic sustainable values. The tested traditional Mongolian yurt was moved from the dry and cold climate of the Asian steppe to the temperate climate of Central Europe and has been significantly modified. The outer shell materials have been changed, replacing natural materials with modern tight insulating foils. The wood-fired stove has been replaced with an electric heater and the roof opening has been firmly closed. All of these modifications resulted in far-reaching changes in the quality of the internal environment in the yurt. The conducted measurements and simulations of CO2 concentration in the modified yurt proved that the efficiency of ventilation system is not sufficient and that the air quality is very poor (even for a single user). In the case of a larger number of users, the concentration of CO2 has already reached a level that was dangerous to health. The simplest method of improving the air quality in the yurt is its careful unsealing to the required level. Striving for a low energy demand, however, would require a completely different approach (for example, in the form of forced ventilation with a heat recovery unit, ultimately powered with a PV array). Such a solution is very different from the traditional yurt model but is close to modern expectations and environmental requirements.

Methodology for Increasing the Competences of Housing Managers in Climate Change Issues

In order to identify the necessary competences and develop the study course programme, within the framework of the EUKI (The European Climate Initiative; Die Europäische Klimaschutzinitiative) project “From Housing Manager to CLImate Manager”, research [1] has been conducted, describing the Latvian residential fund, analysing the principles and activities of multi-apartment residential buildings, as well as identifying and describing the parties involved in shaping the housing policy. Special attention is paid to energy efficiency issues for buildings – looking at Latvia’s potential for climate changes, analysing energy consumption in buildings in relation to energy efficiency requirements, as well as assessing the medium and long-term objectives of buildings in Latvia and the obstacles to achieving them. In order to clarify more precisely the necessary competences of housing managers for the successful implementation of the residential renovation process, a survey has been carried out for stakeholders in the project. Based on an analysis of the situation and the performed survey results, a methodology has been developed to increase the competences of housing managers in relation to the renovation of residential buildings in order to mitigate climate change.

Extensive Roof Greenery as a Response to Heat Islands: Some Problems

Extensive roof greenery is one of the ways to reduce the extent and impact of urban heat islands. A prerequisite is the correct design and operation of both the structural and vegetation part of a roof. If adequate maintenance, especially irrigation of the greenery, cannot be ensured, the use of extensive roof greenery can also be counterproductive. The case study to be presented deals with problems of a flat roof with extensive greenery above an underground garage under Central European climate conditions. Infrequent irrigation leads to extremely high temperatures of the substrate in the summer and makes the purpose of this roof pointless. The contribution analyzes the reason for the failure of the vegetation part of the roof, which was claimed to be maintenance-free, points out fire safety issues, and suggests improvements that might be considered in similar cases. At the present time, which is marked by the climate change crisis, there is great societal pressure to build green roofs. However, if it is not possible to ensure their perfect functionality, it is perhaps better to use classically proven types of roofs, but with greater reflectivity of the top layer surface.

Swiss Climate Change Law

This chapter explores the relationship between Swiss climate change law and the international and European climate change regimes. At the international level, the chapter reviews the three major international agreements regulating the field: the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Kyoto Protocol to the UNFCCC, and the Paris Agreement. And at the national and regional levels, the chapter briefly describes the CO2 Act—often considered the heart of Swiss climate change policy—and questions whether it will prove effective in achieving its explicitly stated emissions reduction targets. The chapter then reviews the most significant recent innovation in the evolution of Swiss climate change policy: joining the Emissions Trading System (ETS) established by the European Union. Due to long-standing problems afflicting the ETS, the authors raise doubts about whether Switzerland’s joining the scheme will lead to meaningful reductions in the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. As an alternative to an ETS-centric approach, the authors refer to an approach centered on human rights. Drawing on the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), the major international climate change agreements, other sources of international law, and the recent Urgenda decision of the Supreme Court of the Netherlands, the authors argue that under the human rights approach, Switzerland would be obligated to take stronger measures to reduce emissions than it could hope to achieve through the ETS and the CO2 Act alone.

Breeding way to create intensive varieties of Jerusalem artichoke (Topinambour) and Topinsa sunfl ower

The work substantiates the necessity for accelerated breeding of new intensive Topinambour (Jerusalem artichoke) and Topinsa sunfl ower cultivars endowed with permanent heterosis, suited to modern agriculture at continuous aridization of the European climate. Corresponding to the genetic algorithms of their creation and results of practical selection are adduced. Wild Helianthus spp. from the North American Gene Centre and topinsa sunfl ower can become genes’ donors for tuber ‘optimal cork layer’ synthesis.