In today’s situation, climate management cannot remain only as a matter of scholarly discussion, research and action among the researchers and professionals. Young minds are generally full of new ideas – some of those ideas can create excellence if moulded properly, encouraged supportively and exposed to the right environment. Not only in India, but also in all parts of the world such drives have been essential these days.
In this regard, the recent action by the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe is quite exemplary. The organisation opened its premises in Venice for the GEO4CIVHIC Summer School held under the theme of ‘heating and cooling our buildings with green energy’. The event brought together students interested in green energy with experts in technology, engineering and geology, in a conversation on the adoption of renewable energy solutions in historic buildings.
The initiative called GEO4CIVHIC (Most Easy, Efficient and Low-Cost Geothermal Systems for Retrofitting Civil and Historical Buildings) is a six-year lifespan Innovation Action (IA) project, funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme. The project intends to explore new opportunities for improving the efficiency and installation of geothermal systems in historical and residential buildings. GEO4CIVHIC experts work to accelerate the deployment of shallow geothermal systems for heating and cooling in such buildings by using innovative technological solutions at a reduced cost.
The UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe, together with the project coordinator, Prof. Adriana Bernardi (CNR-ISAC), organised the GEO4CIVHIC Summer School, which was attended by 58 selected students from secondary schools and universities, both in presence and online. After an introduction to the project, the students were divided into two groups where they had the opportunity to engage in discussions with each GEO4CIVHIC expert. The students dived deeper into the successful work already done in three historical sites around Europe.
According to me this is an exemplary brainstorming project. I wish many such initiatives are taken up everywhere in the world, especially in India.
Pravita Iyer
Publisher & Director
