June 5th, 2023, marking World Environment Day, Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) Environmental Management LAB Head Prof. Paulo Pereira participated in the Green Ideas Festival held at the Presidential Palace in Vilnius.
Prof. Pereira and other scientists, public figures and politicians were invited to the President Valdas Adamkus’ Awards ceremony for those individuals who have devoted their lives and professional career to caring for the environment.
During this event, MRU Prof. Pereira acquainted Lithuania’s former President Adamkus with the research of scientists at the MRU Environmental LAB and discussed the most pressing environmental issues.
Researchers, led by Prof. Pereira, are currently conducting research to assess sustainability of the university. Using drones, they survey the green areas surrounding MRU - the park and the quality of the forest. The impact of changes in climate and land use on the ecosystem of Lithuanian lakes is also studied. Other projects dealing with climate management and climate change prevention are also implemented.
Prof. Pereira, together with an international group of experts, is examining issues relating to environmental restoration due to the Ukrainian War under the framework of the NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme.
According to Prof. Pereira, the damage that Russia's war in Ukraine has caused to nature can be compared to the damage caused by the Second World War.
Prof. Pereira is Head of the MRU Environmental Management LAB where he oversees a team of 12 researchers from Croatia, France, India, Portugal, Spain, Lithuania and Ukraine. More on the LAB research team here.
Prof. Pereira lectures at MRU and is also a professor at China’s Beijing Normal University. He is a recognized expert in soil, land degradation, and fire effects on ecosystems and ecosystem services and nature-based solutions. He has published more than 460 publications in books, journals and made numerous presentations at conferences. Prof. Pereira is the recepient of several international prizes including the European Geosciences Union Soil System Sciences Division Outstanding Young Scientist Award.
World Environment Day is celebrated each year on June 5th after the United Nations (UN) General Assembly designated this day to increase public awareness of the environment, problems and challenges facing the world.