Thousands of Poles will travel today to visit the graves of their loved ones as part of “Wszystkich Świętych” or the All Saints’ Day national holiday. Graves are traditionally cleaned and decorated with flowers and memorial votives, and cemeteries in Gdańsk will be alight tonight with tens of thousands of candles, making it an ideal time for a visit.
Due to the increased likelihood of traffic jams and crowding, Radio Gdańsk reporters are on location at various cemeteries in Trójmiasto today to provide updates on traffic conditions and pedestrian numbers. The special broadcast of “Autopilot” airs today from 8:00 to 12:00 and again from 15:00 to 18:00.
Source: Radio Gdańsk
The world Climate Change Conference (COP26) officially opens today in Glasgow, with some 200 world leaders, including the Polish Prime Minister, expected to attend.
The conference is co-presided by the UK and Italy and marks the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the third meeting of parties to the Paris Climate Agreement of 1994.
The last climate conference, COP25, was held two years ago in Madrid, Spain, and featured a notable speech by youth climate activist Greta Thunberg.
Ahead of the Conference, Poland’s Deputy Minister for Climate and Environment, Adam Guibourgé-Czetwertyński, told Polish Radio’s IAR news agency that the key to the success of joint global efforts is more ambitious goals to offset climate change as declared by the Paris Agreement parties.
Many countries and regional organizations have set goals to be “carbon-neutral” or achieve “climate neutrality,” which combines reducing greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible and then compensating for the remaining emissions by investing in carbon offsets.
The European Union previously declared its goal to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 and agreed on a 55% reduction of CO2 emissions by 2030. Currently at issue is the EU’s ability to meet these ambitious goals and how to account for the absence of key industrial players and polluters, such as Russia and China.
The COP26 convention officially launches today in Glasgow and will continue until November 12.
Source: Radio Poland, BBC
Mild autumn temperatures have brought nearly 120 thousand geese and 12 thousand cranes to stop over in the wetlands of the Warta River National Park near the German border.
The estuary of the River Warta is one of the main areas in Europe where migrating waterbirds can rest and regain strength before the next leg of their migratory flight southwards. Based on previous years, the birds will likely remain in the park until the first frost.
Created on the Warta river marshland in 2001, the Warta River National Park is the newest of Poland’s 23 national parks. It is home to over 250 different bird species, including many threatened species requiring special protection.
Source: Radio Poland, https://www.pnujsciewarty.gov.pl/
Admission to a number of historic locations in Poland will be free of charge starting tomorrow as part of the annual “Darmowy Listopad” or “Admission Free November.”
Throughout the month, it will be possible to visit eight Royal residences and museums in Poland for free: Warsaw’s Royal Castle, Royal Łazienki, King John III Sobieski’s Palace at Wilanów, Wawel Castle in Kraków, the Malbork Castle Museum in Malbork, the Museum in Sandomierz, Wieliczka Salt Mine Museum and the National Museum in Poznań.
Last year’s edition of the initiative was primarily held online, as cultural venues closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. More information on special events and conferences being offered during Darmowy Listopad can be found on the individual websites of participating institutions.
Source: Radio Poland, www.zamek-krolewski.pl/
Weather
Today will be mostly sunny and warm, with very little chance of rain and a light breeze coming in from the southeast. Temperatures will peak around a high of 14°C, or 54°F, dropping to an overnight low of 5°C or 41°F. Tomorrow will be much cooler and cloudy, with a good chance for rain throughout the day.
Elizabeth Peck/ua
