Cluster: Science

Swiss face time battle over Lebanon oil spill

This content was published on Nov 14, 2006 It has been concentrating on the Palm Islands, an important nature reserve, and part of the coast near the southern city of Tripoli. The oil comes from the Jiyyeh power station, hit during a bombing raid in the conflict between Islamic Hezbollah militants and Israel in July. Between 10,000 and 30,000 tons of fuel oil…

Climate solutions

Leuenberger considers problems facing Africa

This content was published on Nov 13, 2006 Leuenberger will also be touring a number of climate-related projects in Kenya which are supported by Switzerland. The minister, who is also this year’s Swiss president, has repeatedly stressed the importance of focusing greater attention on the African continent. Africa, already on the edge environmentally, is expected to suffer most from shifting climate zones and…

Climate solutions

Disaster relief efforts impact environment

This content was published on Nov 2, 2006 The specialists were in agreement that the poorly co-ordinated and careless response in Sri Lanka to the 2004 tsunami inflicted more damage than the tidal wave itself. “Haphazard clearing of mangroves, mining of sand dunes and inappropriate dumping of debris, [caused] water contamination and blocked drainage canals,” pointed out the Swiss-based World Conservation Union (IUCN)…

Climate solutions

River Rhine washes away traces of disaster

This content was published on Nov 1, 2006 Officials say that great progress has been made in cleaning up the river since then, thanks to cross-border cooperation and heightened political awareness of environmental issues. “The quality of the Rhine’s waters is today relatively good,” Anne Schulte-Wülwer-Leidig, deputy head of the International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine (ICPR), told swissinfo. “Even salmon…

Climate solutions

New outdoor ban imposed on poultry

This content was published on Sep 29, 2006 From October 15, poultry living within one kilometre of major lakes and rivers – where migratory birds infected with the H5N1 virus might stop to rest or drink – will be kept indoors. “Within these regions … free-range poultry will be banned as well as poultry markets and exhibitions,” the ministry said on Friday. Unlike…

Climate solutions

Helping companies clean up

This content was published on Sep 11, 2006 The state-owned National Cleaner Production Centre (NCPC) shows firms how green policies can save them money and protect the environment. “Our environmental laws are very up-to-date,” says Ndivhuho Raphulu, the NCPC’s director. “Our problem is applying them because when people’s main priority is survival, sustainable development doesn’t rate very high.” South Africa has its own…

Alzheimer’s disease

This content was published on Sep 7, 2006

Environmentalists and aid agencies join forces

This content was published on Sep 2, 2006 The Red Cross is leading efforts to apply the latest knowledge on extreme weather events to improve disaster preparedness. “People are confronted with floods when they do not expect them. They are confronted with hurricanes and heat waves of an intensity they’ve never seen before,” said Madeleen Helmer, of the International Federation of Red Cross…

Climate solutions

More funding needed to reduce disaster risk

This content was published on Aug 30, 2006 Swiss experts told an international conference in Davos that their government’s policy had undergone a “paradigm change from disaster prevention towards a culture of risk reduction”. Switzerland has suffered several severe floods over the past 15 years. Last year’s natural disaster alone cost the country an estimated SFr2.5 billion ($2.04 billion). The southern canton of…

Climate solutions

The Appenzell Sennenhund

This content was published on Aug 25, 2006 In 2006 the club representing the Appenzell Sennenhund, an indigenous breed of cattle dog, celebrated its centenary. But the dog which once was a symbol of idyllic Swiss country life is today fighting a bad reputation at home. (SF/swissinfo.ch)

Cluster: Science

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