Cluster: Science

Heritage prize highlights urban development

This content was published on Jan 16, 2007 The Swiss Heritage Society (SHS) said the local authorities had been successful in implementing a clear policy on new construction and renovations respecting the environment. Announcing the award in Zurich on Tuesday, the jury said Altdorf was trying along with neighbouring municipalities and the canton to ensure moderate urban development. The quality and high architectural…

Climate solutions

Climate change threatens ski resorts in Europe

This content was published on Dec 13, 2006 But the Swiss have less to fear than their alpine neighbours, according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). “A one degree Celsius increase would reduce snow by ten per cent and plus 4°C would halve the number of snow-reliable slopes in Switzerland,” according to the report published on Wednesday. The national tourist…

Climate solutions

Conservationist mourns lost Yangtze dolphin

This content was published on Dec 13, 2006 August Pfluger said the baiji – traditionally thought by the Chinese to be a river god – had been driven to extinction by the destruction of their habitat, illegal fishing and collisions with ships. “We have to accept the fact that the baiji is functionally extinct. It is a tragedy – a loss not only…

Climate solutions

Glaciers set to disappear from the Alps

This content was published on Dec 8, 2006 Glaciers this year lost up to four per cent of their mass, according to experts from the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich. “Ten years from now about 20 per cent of the ice will have melted away,” says glaciologist Martin Funk. He says the glaciers under observation have all lost up to 2,5 metres…

Climate solutions

Wolf culling shot down by Strasbourg

This content was published on Nov 27, 2006 The standing committee of the Bern Convention on wildlife protection rejected a Swiss request to have the wolf reduced from “strictly protected” to “protected” at a meeting in Strasbourg. Conservation groups, which had criticised the move as “pointless and unjustified”, welcomed the decision and called on the Swiss government to rethink its protection strategy for…

Climate solutions

Leuenberger plants a seed of hope in Nairobi

This content was published on Nov 16, 2006 Leuenberger signed an agreement on Wednesday with the Green Belt Movement, founded by Maathai, to finance a reforestation project and planted a tree as part of its recent “Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree” campaign. “To plant a tree is to give a sign of hope,” said Leuenberger. “It is a sign of political action…

Climate solutions

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…

Cluster: Science

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Cluster: Science

More

Heritage prize highlights urban development

More

Climate change threatens ski resorts in Europe

More

Conservationist mourns lost Yangtze dolphin

More

Glaciers set to disappear from the Alps

More

Wolf culling shot down by Strasbourg

More

Leuenberger plants a seed of hope in Nairobi

More

Swiss face time battle over Lebanon oil spill

More

Leuenberger considers problems facing Africa

More

Disaster relief efforts impact environment

More

River Rhine washes away traces of disaster

Popular Stories

Most Discussed