YPAC 2018

March 19th – 24th in Maribor/Sl

General topic: Preservation of Soil

Subtopics (allocated to four committees)

Committee 1: Agriculture
  • Livestock
  • Methane production
  • Biodiversity
  • Farming on slopes
  • Deforestation
  • Water consumption
  • Artificial fertilizers
  • Depletion

 

KEY QUESTIONS: How does agriculture (livestock breeding and crops) affect soil and its quality? How can we manage soil usage in order to prevent its depletion? How does ecological farming contribute to soil preservation? Is water consumption relevant for the issue? Can measurements be imposed to reduce harmful effects of artificial fertilizers? What do we know about green technology used for farming?

Committee 2: Spatial Planning in Rural Areas
  • Spatial planning
  • Second homes
  • “Landgrabbing”
  • Seasonal overpopulation
  • National parks
  • Soft tourism
  • Snowmaking

 

KEY QUESTIONS: What danger does usage of rural areas pose to soil preservation? Is tourism in rural areas an outlet for massive soil depletion? To what extent should spatial planning take place with regard to limiting existing and future infrastructure, especially second homes? How can we manage activities such as mountain biking in harmony with natural ecosystem cycles? How can national parks contribute to the preservation of the environment, yet appear troublesome for their inhabitants? What is happening with privatization of land and its soil for profits?

Committee 3: Spatial Planning in Urban Areas
  • Sealing soil
  • Green surfaces
  • Depletion of suburban soils
  • Infrastructure
  • Urbanization

 

KEY QUESTIONS: How does urbanization influence denudation processes in urban and suburban areas? How are governments implementing green areas into city landscapes? Is soil brought from rural areas to make up for concrete surfaces? Are there links between soil depletion and unemployment in urban areas?

Committee 4: (Living and Coping with) Natural Hazards
  • Global warming
  • Thunderstorms
  • Precipitation
  • Denudation
  • Steepness
  • Landslides
  • “Badland”

 

KEY QUESTIONS: To what extent can we prevent or reduce natural hazards? How do they affect soil and its quality? What are the safety protocols in case of natural catastrophes? How can we improve lives of people living in areas prone to natural hazards? Should such areas be permanently evacuated? What can their inhabitants do to improve the current status?