The University of Nova Gorica has joined the Green Light WorldFlight – GLWF (the Aviation for Science) Project

Date of publication: 2. 3. 2020
News

Today, the Rector of the University of Nova Gorica, Prof. Dr. Danilo Zavrtanik and a Slovene pilot and environmental researcher Matevž Lenarčič signed a collaboration agreement.

Matevž Lenarčič (left) and Prof. Dr. Danilo Zavrtanik (right).
Matevž Lenarčič (left) and Prof. Dr. Danilo Zavrtanik (right).

By signing this agreement, the University of Nova Gorica joined the Green Light WorldFlight – GLWF Project. The data collected during this year’s environmental mission will form the foundation of the scientific research at the Center for Atmospheric Research at the University of Nova Gorica.

In April, Matevž Lenarčič is going on a mission to Indian, Bhutan, Nepal and the Himalayas. With the new, experimental plane Advantic WT10 Research, which has been made specifically for this type of research, he will measure the concentration of black carbon which affects the environment in a negative way, as it warms up the atmosphere. The processing of data at the Center for Atmospheric Research of the University of Nova Gorica will offer a new insight into the current atmospheric state and the changes that we, humans, cause.

These are the words of the Rector of the University of Nova Gorica, Prof. Dr. Danilo Zavrtanik: “The Center for Atmospheric Research at the University of Nova Gorica has been operating for a while now and so far, it has mostly dealt with the measuring of the pollution levels at high levels of atmosphere and with a very specific study of the bora wind phenomenon. All those measuring devices were on Earth, at the observatory. Now, for the first time, we are starting to do measurement also at the mid-level of atmosphere and with devices that are installed on airplanes. That means that we measure the atmosphere directly from the atmosphere. This way, our activities are expanding and our task in this project lies in the scientific work, specifically, in the interpretation and the processing of the data that the mission will collect.”

After signing the collaboration agreement, Matevž Lenarčič said that he was happy about this new partnership, the collaboration with people with whom he can share a way of thinking, his business philosophy and a responsible attitude towards the environment. “Field measurements are the basis of any serious research. The modelling of environmental processes without any measurements is unreliable. Also the sceptics who hinder such research can only be convinced with data.”

The Head of the Center for Atmospheric Research, Assistant Professor, Dr. Griša Močnik (who is also and the Head of the scientific mission) explained that the collected data would be key for the understanding of the affect of black carbon and other carbon aerosols (which absorb sunlight) on the warming up of the atmosphere. “Aerosolized black carbon is created with the burning of fuels and is the second most important factor of the warming of the atmosphere, right after CO2. The trip to the Himalayas, which is one of the most endangered territories, is important, as the melting of the glaciers (black carbon plays a major role here) threatens the supplies of drinking water for one third of the world’s population. By doing the measurements and analysis of the air particles, we will be able to detect the transport of black carbon from its origin to the Himalayas.”

“By all means this is a valuable contribution that will surely grow in its importance in the future and enable the growth of the Center for Atmospheric Research, as well as the broadening of the activities at the University of Nova Gorica,” stated Prof. Dr. Zavrtanik at the end.

Andreja Leban, Public Relations