To promote public understanding of the causes of extreme weather and the region’s readiness for natural disasters, the Zemgale Planning Region (ZPR) has created an educational animated video. It has been developed within the framework of the cross-border project “Safe Response”, which unites the municipalities of Zemgale and Northern Lithuania with a common goal – to strengthen the region’s security and ability to respond to crisis situations. The new material explains both the consequences of climate change and practical solutions for the safety of residents on both sides of the border in a clear and visual manner.
In recent years, both Latvia and Lithuania have increasingly faced unpredictable weather conditions – prolonged droughts, severe storms, and floods. As pointed out in the new video material, Europe has suffered climate change-related economic losses of approximately 738 billion euros between 1980 and 2023, and these consequences directly affect the agriculture, infrastructure, and public health of our region as well.
To make this topical issue more engaging for diverse audiences, the storyline of the video is presented through the perspective of two significant regional nature inhabitants – a moose and a beaver. The choice of characters is not coincidental: the moose, as a symbol of Zemgale and Jelgava, embodies the power of nature and the richness of the forests, while the beaver, a frequent guest in Lithuania’s and border rivers, symbolizes water management and adaptability. By observing their changing environment, the two characters help the audience understand the connection between rising air temperatures and real threats, like peat bog fires.
However, the main message of the video is not to cause alarm, but to show that solutions exist. “Our goal was to create an animation that not only outlines the problem but also reveals the invisible daily work done by municipalities and rescue services in crisis prevention, as well as highlights the crucial importance of cooperation between neighboring countries,” explains Artūrs Penčura, ZPR Manager of the “Safe Response” project.
The animated film is publicly available and is being sent to Latvian and Lithuanian municipalities, as well as relevant ministries, with an invitation to use it for public information and educational purposes. The video carries a clear message – a safe future depends on our knowledge, cooperation, and action.
The animated film is available in Latvian and Lithuanian on YouTube:
- In Latvian
- In Lithuanian
The video was developed within the framework of the Project No. LL-00077 “Responding to the risks of climate change and extreme weather, their prevention in the cross-border region of Latvia and Lithuania” (Safe Response). The project is being implemented with the support of the Interreg VI-A Latvia-Lithuania Programme 2021-2027. The total funding of the project is 673 755.26 EUR, including co-financing from the European Regional Development Fund of 539 694.21 EUR. More about the project: https://latlit.eu/theprojects/safe-response/