Science

Swiss expedition to study trash in world’s oceans

This content was published on Jan 29, 2015 A Swiss-led, state-of-the-art trimaran yacht will set sail on March 15 as part of a research expedition to study the impact of plastic pollution on the global marine environment. It will focus on five trash ‘vortexes’ located in three oceans.

Climate solutions

Can wind energy overcome planning hurdles?

This content was published on Jan 28, 2015 Wind plants are one way Switzerland plans to reduce its dependency on nuclear energy. In 2011 the Swiss government decided to withdraw from the use of nuclear energy by gradually decommissioning the current nuclear power plants. A long-term energy strategy was drawn up that relies heavily on increased renewable energy, with wind energy playing an…

Climate solutions

Round the world on solar power

This content was published on Jan 21, 2015 The mission of the Solar Impulse 2 is clear: fly around the world without using a drop of kerosene. It will be the first circumnavigation of the world in a solar airplane. The project is technically demanding as the plane has to be able fly for up to five days and nights non-stop. The journey…

Climate solutions

Grass snake named Animal of the Year

This content was published on Jan 5, 2015 Pro Natura also launched on Monday an appeal for the maintenance or creation of reptile habitats such as ponds. The grass snake (Natrix natrix) is one of three water snakes in Switzerland – the others being the dice snake and the viperine snake. Females can grow to up to 140cm, males are smaller. It is…

Climate solutions

Declining house sparrow is 2015 Bird of the Year

This content was published on Dec 29, 2014 Sparrow populations have declined by as much as 40% in some parts of the country since 1980, according to the association. The decline is more acute in cities due to the lack of green spaces and adequate nourishment. A shortage of insects and overdependence on human leftovers is retarding the growth of young sparrows. Besides…

Climate solutions

Minister: defending interests is part of climate game

This content was published on Dec 12, 2014 She told the high-level plenary session of the 20th Conference of Parties (COP20) in the Peruvian capital that efforts should be made globally to reduce subsidies on fossil fuels, pointing out that according to the International Energy Agency (IEA) global subsidies on fossil fuels are estimated at more than $550 billion (CHF533 billion). Leuthard explained…

Climate solutions

How a glacier melts

This content was published on Dec 12, 2014 Scientists have dyed the melt water from the Plaine-Morte glacier to improve understanding of future water management under climate change.

Microplastics found in six Swiss lakes

This content was published on Dec 11, 2014 The research, carried out by scientists from Lausanne’s Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) and commissioned by the Federal Office for the Environment, found that the concentrations present in the lakes did not pose a direct threat to the environment and quality of drinking water inside Switzerland. “But these are not natural particles and they don’t…

Climate solutions

Switzerland drops in climate ranking

This content was published on Dec 8, 2014 Switzerland declined from rank 8 to rank 11 in the 2015 results of the Climate Change Performance Index, compiled annually by the Climate Action Networks (CAN Europe)External link and development organisation GermanwatchExternal link. The results are presented at the United Nations Climate conference in Lima on Monday. The ranking of 58 nations is led by…

Climate solutions

Shifting landscape: lakes replace glaciers

This content was published on Dec 7, 2014 As Switzerland’s glaciers melt, researchers point out the potential pros and cons of newly-formed lakes.

Science

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Sign in and personalize Swissinfo

Science

More

Swiss expedition to study trash in world’s oceans

More

Can wind energy overcome planning hurdles?

More

Round the world on solar power

More

Grass snake named Animal of the Year

More

Declining house sparrow is 2015 Bird of the Year

More

Minister: defending interests is part of climate game

More

How a glacier melts

More

Microplastics found in six Swiss lakes

More

Switzerland drops in climate ranking

More

Shifting landscape: lakes replace glaciers

Popular Stories

Most Discussed