Rut Bízková
Encyclopedia
Rut Bízková was the Minister of Environment of the Czech Republic
. She was appointed on 16 April 2010, succeeding Jakub Šebesta
, who had in turn briefly succeeded Jan Dusík
after the latter's resignation in March 2010.
, and began her career at the Nuclear Research Institute in Řež
. She spent three months in 1993 working for the International Atomic Energy Agency
in Vienna, before being appointed press spokeswoman for coal power plants of ČEZ
Group, the Czech Republic's major power generation company. Her first government post was as the Environment Ministry's director of public affairs; she held other posts within the ministry til 2004, when she moved to its subsidiary CENIA (the Czech Environmental Information Agency). In 2006 she moved from CENIA's deputy directorship to the post of deputy environment minister in 2006, where she remained until her full ministerial appointment.
coal power plant. The 1bn euro works, set to improve the plant's efficiency and extend its operational life by 25 years, were signed off despite an unusual legal protest from the Federated States of Micronesia
(FSM). The FSM, a Pacific island nation
, objected that coal burning and the associated release of carbon dioxide
, a greenhouse gas
, contributed to the global warming
, and resulting effects
that threatened to engulf island states. The international environmental pressure group Greenpeace
criticized Bízková's decision, calling attention to her status as a former employee of the plant's operator.
from government budgets for such works.
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
. She was appointed on 16 April 2010, succeeding Jakub Šebesta
Jakub Šebesta
Jakub Šebesta is a Czech politician. He was the Minister of Agriculture and former Minister of Environment in the caretaker government of Jan Fischer.- External links :*...
, who had in turn briefly succeeded Jan Dusík
Jan Dusík
Jan Dusík is a Czech politician, former Minister of Environment, activist and since 18 July 2011 deputy regional director for Europe of the United Nations Environment Programme in Geneva.- Biography :...
after the latter's resignation in March 2010.
Career
Bízková was educated at Prague's Institute of Chemical TechnologyInstitute of Chemical Technology
Institute of Chemical Technology , Mumbai, is India's premier chemical engineering and technology research institute. It is an institute dedicated to training and research in various branches of Chemical Engineering, Chemical Technology, and Pharmacy...
, and began her career at the Nuclear Research Institute in Řež
Rez
Rez, developed under the codename K-Project, Project Eden, and Vibes, is a rail shooter video game released by Sega in Japan in 2001 for the Dreamcast and PlayStation 2, with a European Dreamcast release and United States PlayStation 2 release in 2002...
. She spent three months in 1993 working for the International Atomic Energy Agency
International Atomic Energy Agency
The International Atomic Energy Agency is an international organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. The IAEA was established as an autonomous organization on 29 July 1957...
in Vienna, before being appointed press spokeswoman for coal power plants of ČEZ
CEZ
CEZ stands for:* one of Falconbridge Ltd.'s refineries* a Czech news channel* IATA airport code for Cortez Municipal Airport* CEZ Group, a Czech energy company...
Group, the Czech Republic's major power generation company. Her first government post was as the Environment Ministry's director of public affairs; she held other posts within the ministry til 2004, when she moved to its subsidiary CENIA (the Czech Environmental Information Agency). In 2006 she moved from CENIA's deputy directorship to the post of deputy environment minister in 2006, where she remained until her full ministerial appointment.
Prunéřov II
Among Bízková's early acts as minister, in late April 2010, was to approve the renovation of the Prunéřov IIPrunérov Power Station
The Prunéřov Power Station is the largest coal-fired power station in the Czech Republic with installed capacity of 1,490 MW. It is located near Kadaň....
coal power plant. The 1bn euro works, set to improve the plant's efficiency and extend its operational life by 25 years, were signed off despite an unusual legal protest from the Federated States of Micronesia
Federated States of Micronesia
The Federated States of Micronesia or FSM is an independent, sovereign island nation, made up of four states from west to east: Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae. It comprises approximately 607 islands with c...
(FSM). The FSM, a Pacific island nation
Pacific Islands
The Pacific Islands comprise 20,000 to 30,000 islands in the Pacific Ocean. The islands are also sometimes collectively called Oceania, although Oceania is sometimes defined as also including Australasia and the Malay Archipelago....
, objected that coal burning and the associated release of carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom...
, a greenhouse gas
Greenhouse gas
A greenhouse gas is a gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect. The primary greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone...
, contributed to the global warming
Global warming
Global warming refers to the rising average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans and its projected continuation. In the last 100 years, Earth's average surface temperature increased by about with about two thirds of the increase occurring over just the last three decades...
, and resulting effects
Effects of global warming
This article is about the effects of global warming and climate change. The effects, or impacts, of climate change may be physical, ecological, social or economic. Evidence of observed climate change includes the instrumental temperature record, rising sea levels, and decreased snow cover in the...
that threatened to engulf island states. The international environmental pressure group Greenpeace
Greenpeace
Greenpeace is a non-governmental environmental organization with offices in over forty countries and with an international coordinating body in Amsterdam, The Netherlands...
criticized Bízková's decision, calling attention to her status as a former employee of the plant's operator.
Spring 2010 flooding
In her capacity as chair of the Czech Central Flood Commission, Bízková led the Czech Republic's response to the May–June 2010 Central European floods. She urged local government officials to take action to build defences against future flooding, earmarking 3.45 billion korunaCzech koruna
The Czech koruna or Czech crown has been the currency of the Czech Republic since 8 February 1993 when, together with its Slovak counterpart, it replaced the Czechoslovak koruna at par....
from government budgets for such works.