Geopolitics, Water, and Sustainability

Traveling to Lithuania was another moment in both my professional and personal journey. It wasn’t just about visiting a new place, it was an experience that connected environmental sustainability, historical context, and the challenges of working in different climates. Here’s the story of my trips to Vilnius and the lessons I learned.

A Waste-to-Energy Plant in Vilnius

Our company was working to secure a project in Vilnius, Lithuania: a Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Plant. For those unfamiliar with WtE, it’s an incredible technology that turns waste materials into usable energy, such as electricity or heat, through combustion, anaerobic digestion, or other processes. This method not only helps manage waste but also reduces reliance on fossil fuels, contributing to a more sustainable future.

Check out the amazing video below to see how a WtE Plant works!

3 Minutes Video about Waste to Energy

The Flight Experience: Ryanair, Business Class... Sort Of

My adventure began with a 4-hour flight with Ryanair. Not exactly glamorous, but I had the thrill of flying business class. Well, "business class" in Ryanair terms means seat row #2 – same narrow seats and tight space, but it did give me a small sense of excitement as I anticipated what I was about to experience xD. Four hours in a low-cost plane was a slightly tiring.

Vilnius: A City of Beauty and History

Upon landing, I was immediately captivated by the city of Vilnius. The architecture and cityscape of this Eastern European gem were nothing like what I had ever seen before. Narrow cobblestone streets, grand old buildings, and a blend of modern touches made me fall in love with the city.

From Dry Climates to Extreme Cold

Coming mainly from arid or dry countries, I had little experience with how extreme cold could affect a project. In Vilnius, the winter conditions had a real impact on our Waste-to-Energy project. Frozen soil and the difficulties of excavating and concreting in freezing temperatures made the project timeline and logistics a bit trickier than I was used to. Fortunately, we were working with local contractors, whose expertise in handling the unique challenges of such conditions helped keep things on track. Their competence in the local climate ensured that the negotiations and price accuracy weren’t as challenging as I initially feared.

Geopolitics and History: A Lesson I Didn’t Expect

But beyond the technical and environmental aspects of the trip, what I truly learned was about geopolitics. At 25 years old, I had a general small understanding of history – the Soviet Union, the Cold War, NATO – but I didn’t realize how deeply these issues still shaped the lives of the people in this part of the world.

One of the moments that stayed with me was when I saw a sign in Vilnius that read: "Thank you Europe for Lithuania’s welcome." This simple message hit me hard. While having beers with local colleagues, I sensed the unease they felt about Lithuania’s proximity to Russia. One of them said, “Russia could be here in less than an hour.” It was a chilling comment, but it opened my eyes to the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region, especially for countries that had been part of the Soviet Union not so long ago.

That conversation was a moment for me, it made me realize how much I didn’t know about the complexities of Eastern European geopolitics. The desire to understand the past and its continued relevance in today’s world became a personal mission. It was then that I decided to dive deep into reading about history, geopolitics, and the broader global issues that shape our world today.

And do you think water has nothing to do with geopolitics? Think again. In fact, considering the public nature of the water industry in most cases, water is intrinsically linked to geopolitical strategies and tensions.

Don’t miss out on the next episode of my newsletter on Monday, 13th, where I’ll show you how Water in Spain = Geopolitics. You won't want to miss it!