Cluster: Science

“Green” Christmas trees prove a hit

This content was published on Dec 20, 2008 This trend towards “green” trees is bringing tidings of comfort and joy to both local tree growers and environmental groups. According to industry figures, the demand for Swiss Christmas trees has doubled to 300,000-400,000 a year in the past decade. Domestic trees now account for up to 40 per cent of the annual market. The…

Climate solutions

Artificial snow “no panacea” for resorts

This content was published on Dec 19, 2008 The research by the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, in cooperation with the National Centres of Competence in Research, is believed to be the first scientific study into the economic impact of artificial snowmaking on resorts. “Snowmaking facilities are often presented as a central measure in adapting to climate change,” Camille Gonseth, who conducted…

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Storms rain heavy losses on insurance industry

This content was published on Dec 18, 2008 A study released on Thursday by Swiss Re, the world’s second-largest reinsurer, showed natural catastrophes this year killed 238,000 people and caused $43 billion in insured losses. Storms were responsible for most of that sum. Hurricane Ike, which ravaged the United States and Caribbean in September, caused $20 billion in insured losses alone. The remaining…

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High winds force closure of ski resorts

This content was published on Dec 14, 2008 According to the private Meteomedia weather service, wind speeds reached a record 252km/h on the Lauberhorn, a peak above the ski resorts of Grindelwald and Wengen. The official Swiss weather service, MeteoSwiss, measured top winds of 145km/h in other parts of the Alps, which was enough to force resorts to close many of their ski…

Climate solutions

Poznan talks “step on way to new climate regime”

This content was published on Dec 13, 2008 In a statement, the environment ministry called the outcome an “intermediate step on the way to a new climate regime”. The United Nations-sponsored conference in the Polish town ended with a working schedule designed to formulate a treaty which can be signed in Copenhagen a year from now. The aim is to replace the Kyoto…

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Avalanche danger mounts across Alps

This content was published on Dec 12, 2008 While skiers and those in tourism rejoice at the healthy start to the winter season, the storms and mounting avalanche dangers also closed motorways, disrupted rail services and caused dozens of accidents across the country. “The facts show that this storm is something special for this time of year,” Thomas Bucheli, head meteorologist with Swiss…

Climate solutions

Environment ministers face double challenge

This content was published on Dec 11, 2008 Swiss Environment Minister Moritz Leuenberger, who also spoke at the UN climate talks in Poznan, Poland, said there were similarities between the two crises and called for “global solutions and binding commitments”. “Since we met in Bali [in December 2007], the world has changed dramatically,” Leuenberger said on Thursday. “Banks and financial institutions have failed…

Climate solutions

New forestry action plan presented

This content was published on Dec 1, 2008 In a statement on Monday the Federal Environment Office said wood should be used more often as a building material, in composites and finally as a renewable energy source. “Wood should be utilised to extract a maximum value from it,” the office said, which is launching a four-year forestry management action plan. The goal is…

Climate solutions

360 million tons of material consumed annually

This content was published on Nov 25, 2008 Figures on Tuesday revealed that the Swiss use a total of 360 million tons of matter, an amount that would fill roughly three train carriages for every person in the country. Around 90 million tons of emissions were released into the air. About a third of materials were directly consumed. Of that amount, just over…

Climate solutions

Big business doing little to reduce emissions

This content was published on Nov 24, 2008 That was the main finding of a second climate change survey released on Monday by the private bank, Pictet, and the foundation, Ethos. The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) survey was distributed to Switzerland’s 100 biggest listed companies. Of the 50 largest, 23 have a concrete plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but only four have…

Cluster: Science

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Cluster: Science

More

“Green” Christmas trees prove a hit

More

Artificial snow “no panacea” for resorts

More

Storms rain heavy losses on insurance industry

More

High winds force closure of ski resorts

More

Poznan talks “step on way to new climate regime”

More

Avalanche danger mounts across Alps

More

Environment ministers face double challenge

More

New forestry action plan presented

More

360 million tons of material consumed annually

More

Big business doing little to reduce emissions

Popular Stories

Most Discussed