Cluster: Science

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)

Ecosystems sourced as key to water security

This content was published on Aug 21, 2006 These systems help ensure the quality and quantity of water available. The Swiss will be presenting a code of conduct on payments for ecosystem services in water management. In recent years, terrestrial ecosystems have become considered an integral part of water management. For the Swiss authorities, this approach is the first, and perhaps cheapest, step…

Climate solutions

Still counting the cost of 2005 flood

This content was published on Aug 20, 2006 Six people were killed and the final cost of the flooding has been estimated at SFr2.5 billion ($2.03 billion). Not included in the amount is the large sum needed for future flood control. Three days of torrential rain led to the flooding and landslides. About two-thirds of Switzerland’s 26 cantons reported damage. Hardest hit was…

Climate solutions

Global warming good for alpine tourism

This content was published on Aug 16, 2006 Roger Seifritz is leading a working group investigating the potential benefits changing weather patterns can have for alpine destinations. “There are always reports in the press about the negative aspects [of global warming], such as less snow in winter and landslides and flooding in summer,” Seifritz told swissinfo. “But there are positive aspects – higher…

Climate solutions

Climate kids chilled by glacial retreat

This content was published on Jul 29, 2006 The “climate change champions” spent part of the first day of their visit walking across the last remains of a once formidable alpine glacier. The nine children aged between ten and 18 were selected from among 600 entrants for their written and audiovisual projects designed to show how everyone, young or old, can make a…

Cluster: Science

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