Cluster: Science

Carbon tax money to improve insulation

This content was published on Jun 3, 2009 The House of Representatives on Tuesday agreed to suggestions by the Senate on how the money would be spent, namely placing two-thirds into a national programme for modernising insulation. The House had originally wanted the cantons to take part in the programme, although this is no longer the case. Both chambers did however demand the…

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Environment report draws mixed balance

This content was published on Jun 2, 2009 Environment Switzerland 2009, a report by the Federal Environment Office and the Federal Statistics Office, says that although progress has been made in many sectors, improvement has slowed since the turn of the millennium. Urban sprawl continues, albeit at a noticeably slower pace, said the report which was published on Tuesday. This mainly occurs to…

Climate solutions

Swiss help forge climate treaty

This content was published on Jun 1, 2009 Some 3000 delegates from all over the world started their meeting on Monday to try to find an agreed text to replace the Kyoto Protocol, which runs out in 2012. The Kyoto Protocol, adopted in 1997 and in force since 2005, set binding targets for industrial countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, which are…

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German praise for Swiss nuclear waste policy

This content was published on May 27, 2009 He was speaking to journalists after his Swiss counterpart, Moritz Leuenberger, addressed members of the German parliament’s environment commission about Switzerland’s attempts to find an acceptable depot for its nuclear waste. “Switzerland is not trying to rush into this”, Gabriel said, “The focus has been first and foremost the safety and security of a possible…

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Radiation levels from phones skyrocket

This content was published on May 27, 2009 However, the authors of a study published on Wednesday said the average strength of radio-frequency electromagnetic fields, 0.22 volts per metre, was still well under the permitted limits in Switzerland. Researchers from Bern and Basel universities measured the impact on individuals by strapping electromagnetic-detection devices to 166 volunteers. The study found mobile phones, mobile phone…

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Storms end run of hot weather

This content was published on May 26, 2009 A man died in the eastern canton of Thurgau, crushed in his car when a tree fell on it, the local police said. In the central city of Lucerne a woman suffered moderate injuries in a similar accident. Another tree fell onto the power line of a local railway in the Emmental, and trains had…

Climate solutions

“Green” road sweeper promises less pollution

This content was published on May 24, 2009 The road sweeper, which is powered by fuel cell technology, emits no exhaust fume pollutants, which would mean cleaner air for city dwellers. The Bucher CityCat H2 is the brainchild of researchers at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research (Empa), near Zurich and the Paul Scherrer Institute in Villigen, and is being…

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Oberland villages safe for now

This content was published on May 23, 2009 The lake near Grindelwald is swollen with melted snow. The glacier moraine holding the water back is crumbling. Authorities worried if a large chunk of the rock dam suddenly gave way, villages along the Lütschine river would be inundated. On Saturday officials said portions of the moraine had indeed crumbled but more slowly than expected.…

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Oberland villages on flood alert

This content was published on May 22, 2009 The lake, near the resort of Grindelwald, has been under observation for some time, as it filled with water from snow melt. On Friday morning it reached a new record level. Geologists recently found hidden pockets of water imprisoned beneath the glacier ice, after its normal outlet had been blocked by a build-up of debris.…

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Concerns raised over disappearing species

This content was published on May 22, 2009 It is estimated that around 100 species become extinct each day worldwide – a threat which also affects Switzerland. Invasive alien species are making the problem worse. It is difficult to imagine a meadow with flowers or a lake without fish, but voices are warning that this may become a reality. “The earth’s biodiversity is…

Cluster: Science

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Cluster: Science

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Carbon tax money to improve insulation

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Environment report draws mixed balance

More

Swiss help forge climate treaty

More

German praise for Swiss nuclear waste policy

More

Radiation levels from phones skyrocket

More

Storms end run of hot weather

More

“Green” road sweeper promises less pollution

More

Oberland villages safe for now

More

Oberland villages on flood alert

More

Concerns raised over disappearing species

Popular Stories

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