A persistent wind brought rain and swept away the summer heat as we ended our second week of school. A few days later it is just the third full week of September, when daytime temperatures are usually still in the 70s. Instead it is 53 degrees today and the radiators in our apartment have kicked in to warm the air and a few stray items placed during the seasons we consider our radiators shelves and not sources of heat. (We have now lowered our thermostat and put on socks and sweatshirts.)

As welcome as the break from oppressive summer heat is, it is also worrisome to have cool weather this early. In 2020, 57% of Slovakia’s energy mix came from Russia. Over two thirds of Slovak households use natural gas for heat, 85% of which has been from Russia in recent years. While Slovakia has been seeking other sources and seems to have replaced about 60% of the Russian gas, that still puts Slovakia in an untested situation this winter. Additional EU-wide challenges stem from decreases in various forms of energy, including nuclear and even wind power.  

Inflation and the fact that prices are set by the highest-cost providers also factor into this year’s high projected energy costs, called a looming crisis in the media. One proposal to curb energy use/costs puts students studying from home during the coldest parts of winter, alleviating the need to heat large school facilities, including dormitories, to comfort. Many people, especially parents, are of course against this, citing reduced physical and mental health, higher strains on marginalized populations, and family stress along with all the other reasons to minimize distance learning. One university dorm has already seen a fourfold increase in energy costs and plans to move to online education from mid-November unless the government provides additional financing.

Slovnaft is one of many gas companies in Central Europe whose refineries are designed for the high sulfur content of Russian crude oil, which makes a shift to other sources extremely difficult. The price for one liter of gas on September 22 is 1.64€, or about $6.11 per gallon.

We’ve already seen covid and a myriad of colds and other germs at school this year (our kids have both missed days of school already). Meanwhile, new teachers are adapting to school life and gatherings march on: lights displays, street fairs, celebrations for graduates (they happen in the fall here). I am thankful to see my students in person, to work in a building with adequate heat, to hear about the things that excite my children. I pray for health, for an end to war, and for adequately-priced and available energy.

Naomi and Nick Sveholm

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