The River Thur is freed from its straightjacket

Canton Zurich has been carrying out pioneering work, restoring the canalised River Thur to its natural state and reducing the risk of flooding in the area, as well as creating new habitats for wildlife. The project inspired the federal government to change the law. Developers carrying out work affecting Swiss rivers now have to follow canton Zurich's example and try to renaturalise water courses, thus promoting biodiversity. (Julie Hunt, swissinfo.ch)

This content was published on March 15, 2010 - 20:19

1 minute

I have a wealth of experience as a journalist working in Switzerland and enjoy producing videos, articles and podcasts on a range of subjects, recently focused mainly on politics and the environment. Born in the UK, I studied law at Nottingham University, then went on to attend the first-ever post-graduate radio journalism college in London. After working as a radio journalist in the UK and then Switzerland from 1984 to 1995, I returned to the UK to complete a post-graduate diploma in film at Bournemouth Film School. I have been working as a video journalist ever since.

Julie Hunt

On April 5, thousands demonstrated in Zurich against the housing crisis. It was the city's largest housing demonstration since the turn of the millennium

Life & Aging

Zurich: how the world capital of housing shortages is tackling the problem 

The start-up Sun-Ways has installed solar panels between the rails of a railway line near Buttes, canton Neuchâtel. in western Switzerland.

Climate change

Switzerland turns train tracks into solar power plants

Armies around Europe, including Switzerland, are ramping up spending

Foreign Affairs

Swiss defence industry moving abroad to escape neutrality

Swiss Abroad

The Böögg, Switzerland’s exploding psychic snowman

Life & Aging

Switzerland’s housing shortage: how bad is it?

Living longer: What do you think about the longevity trend?

The longevity market is booming thanks in part to advances in the science of ageing. What do you think of the idea of significantly extending human lifespan?

Join the discussion

Apr 25, 2025

3 Comments

View the discussion

Did you immigrate to Switzerland? What are your experiences?

What were the circumstances of your immigration to Switzerland? And what motivated your decision to stay or leave?

Join the discussion

Apr 1, 2025

12 Likes

31 Comments

View the discussion

Should cows be fed additives to reduce the climate change impact of livestock farming?

Food companies are trying to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by getting suppliers to give their cows special methane-reducing feed.

Join the discussion

Mar 4, 2025

4 Likes

6 Comments

View the discussion

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

Swiss seek to improve biodiversity reputation

This content was published on Jan 7, 2010 A damning 2007 report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) found more animal and plants were threatened or had disappeared in Switzerland than in anywhere else in Europe. To mark the United Nations designated biodiversity year, the Swiss environment ministry and various non-governmental organisations have teamed up to develop a series of…

Salt favours highway plant invasion

This content was published on Feb 13, 2010 Furthermore, the salt used to de-ice roads in winter has had a severe impact on habitat, driving out such common wayside plants as daisies and dandelions, and enabling salt-tolerant plants to take root. As a result, some plants which used to be found only on the coast are moving inland. Botanist Raymond Delarze, who runs…

The River Thur is freed from its straightjacket

Popular Stories

More

Zurich: how the world capital of housing shortages is tackling the problem

More

Switzerland turns train tracks into solar power plants

More

Swiss defence industry moving abroad to escape neutrality

More

The Böögg, Switzerland’s exploding psychic snowman

More

Switzerland’s housing shortage: how bad is it?

Most Discussed

More

Living longer: What do you think about the longevity trend?

More

Did you immigrate to Switzerland? What are your experiences?

More

Should cows be fed additives to reduce the climate change impact of livestock farming?

More

Swiss seek to improve biodiversity reputation

More

Salt favours highway plant invasion