Cluster: Science

Aggressive sex threatens beetle species

This content was published on May 16, 2011 Scientists at Zurich University, writing in the latest edition of American Naturalist, have shown how sexual conflict can have profound consequences for populations. The barbed penis of the male seed beetle, Callosobruchus maculates, also known as the cowpea weevil, makes it impossible for females to shake off unwanted partners. This is good news for aggressive…

Climate solutions

Cross-border protest at polluted river

This content was published on May 14, 2011 Two marches, one from each side of the border, joined together at the bridge over the river in response to an appeal by environmental organisations. There have been serious problems with the health of the river since 2009 with fish regularly found dead. Traces of an unknown fungal infection were found on the fish. Most…

Climate solutions

Solar Impulse lands in Brussels

This content was published on May 13, 2011 The landing was delayed by about 40 minutes by strong winds. Take-off on Friday morning had already been delayed by fog. Bertrand Piccard, the man behind the Solar Impulse idea, described the flight as a “historic moment”, and stressed its symbolic importance for flight using renewable energy. Air traffic controllers in Brussels said bring the…

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Biodiversity gets a boost

This content was published on May 12, 2011 Climate ambassador Franz Perrez signed the Nagoya Protocol on behalf of Switzerland in New York on Thursday. The agreement, which was negotiated within the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity, regulates the use of genetic resources – including access to them as well as the fair sharing of their benefits. “The Nagoya Protocol is…

Eco-adventurer honoured by the UN

This content was published on May 11, 2011 Palmer, who in December 2008 completed a 17-month circumnavigation of the world in a solar-powered car, received his award at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, along with fellow laureates green entrepreneur Zhang Yue and scientist and campaigner Olga Speranskaya. “The 2011 Champions of the Earth winners are inspirational examples of how…

Climate solutions

Zero emissions farm

This content was published on May 11, 2011 Over ten per cent of the greenhouse emissions produced in Switzerland come from farming. The Federal Institute of Technology Zurich has come up with a solution for emission-free farming. (SF/swissinfo.ch)

Meat consumption gets ecological grilling

This content was published on May 9, 2011 In the past, health risks, ethical issues and the development of disease have been the primary arguments put forward against eating meat. More recently, opponents of eating meat have adopted saving the planet from global warming as their new mantra. “Along with health, purity, spirituality and the refusal to kill animals, the idea of food…

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Forest fire risk remains high

This content was published on May 6, 2011 Issuing the warning, the office said warm, dry temperatures were expected over the weekend. The rainfall which occurred during the week had been too little to have much of an impact on generally dry conditions. Southern Switzerland last week experienced a large forest fire near Visp. Fire bans are in force in all cantons and…

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Opponents of nuclear power set up camp at electricity provider

This content was published on May 5, 2011

Climate solutions

Terminator’s climate group sets up in Geneva

This content was published on May 5, 2011 Launched in December 2009, R20 comprises some 30 local governments around the world which aim to limit global warming to two degrees above 1990 levels. “We chose Geneva because that is where the majority of United Nations specialist environmental agencies are, as well as the largest non-governmental organisations like the WWF, the International Union for…

Cluster: Science

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