Day 4.

Today, the participants of the International Olympiad on Climate Change and Environmental Issues (IOCE) fulfilled the tasks of the theoretical round. The individual stage consisted of five cases, each involving calculations based on chemical and mathematical metrics. The goal was to assess the participants' knowledge of biology, geography, and mathematics. For instance, the students had to determine the hardness and pollution level of potable water, identify waste disposal methods, or calculate the albedo level— the Earth’s surface’s ability to reflect sunlight — and its impact on human health.

Milena Ivanova, a participant from Russian, has been involved in olympiad movement since her seventh year at school. The student is confident that solving practical problems within the IOCE gives the opportunity to show creativity and that ecology is not just science but a way of life.

"It wasn’t easy to solve the theoretical round tasks: it was necessary not only to perform calculations but also to draw a logical conclusion from them, describe the consequences, and propose measures to reduce the impact on different types of land use. The most interesting for me was the question concerning the differences between abandoned and arable lands. Currently, I am working on creating a Russian environmental journal. It will include environmental news and practical information, as well as provide an opportunity for schoolchildren, students, and young scientists to present their projects. I had planned to publish the journal for a Russian-speaking audience, but at the IOCE international environmental olympiad, I started considering publishing it in English," shares Milena.

For Sardor Shamiev, a school student from Tajikistan, the most challenging part was the laboratory stage of the practical round. The young man admits that he had never imagined before how interesting chemistry and experiments with real equipment could be.

"Ecology for me is a part of life. Tajikistan is famous for its unique nature, which includes vast mountain ranges, high-altitude lakes, and numerous glaciers. Fedchenko Glacier, the largest in the world, is one of them. My goal is to preserve the natural beauty of our country. I am sure that the IOCE will help me in realizing my plans because here I have the opportunity to learn from the experience and practices of foreign countries," notes the participant from Tajikistan.