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Switzerland spared bullfrog scourge – for now

This content was published on Oct 6, 2002 In the southern German town of Karlsruhe, the giant frogs are munching their way through anything smaller than themselves: other frogs, small snakes, newts and even ducklings. In the wetland areas outside Karlsruhe – 180 kilometres from the Swiss border – the bullfrogs, which weigh up to two and a half kilogrammes, are threatening the…

Climate solutions

Taking stock of the Earth summit

This content was published on Sep 5, 2002 But environmental groups say ten days of negotiations have produced little more than a statement of political rhetoric. One of the chief Swiss negotiators in Johannesburg was Philippe Roch, who was appointed director of the Swiss Environment Agency back in 1992. This was the year when the world first woke up to the call to…

Climate solutions

Earth summit falls short of Swiss hopes

This content was published on Sep 4, 2002 The summit’s action plan, adopted late on Wednesday, has also been criticised by environmental groups for failing to address the urgent needs of the planet. Serge Chappatte, chief Swiss negotiator in Johannesburg and deputy director of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), said the action plan fell far short of Switzerland’s expectations. “I…

Climate solutions

Swiss launch mountain initiative at Earth summit

This content was published on Sep 2, 2002 The mountain partnership project was launched on Monday on the sidelines of the Earth summit in Johannesburg. The aim of the initiative – which coincides with the United Nations International Year of the Mountains – is to create an informal alliance of Alpine countries, private sector and non-governmental organisations which share an interest in the…

Climate solutions

Chopping down trees to save the forest

This content was published on Aug 22, 2002 But it’s business as usual for one organisation, Mountain Forest Project, which has been bringing volunteers to the Alps for 15 years. The volunteers learn how to use axes, saws and scythes, and learn by doing, gaining an appreciation of the importance of mountain forests to man and the environment. While visiting a camp for…

Climate solutions

Tepid response for flood victims

This content was published on Aug 19, 2002 So far just SFr250,000 ($166,000) has been raised, compared with SFr74 million when a similar catastrophe hit Switzerland two years ago. On Monday, Solidarity Chain, the fundraising arm of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, announced that it had received pledges of SFr250,000 since it launched an appeal for funds last Wednesday. The sum pales into insignificance…

Climate solutions

Survival made easier in the Grande Cariçaie

This content was published on Jul 22, 2002 The vast majority of visitors to the Grande Cariçaie are feathered. Some are very rare. But a visitors’ centre at Champ-Pittet, just outside Yverdon, run by the Swiss conservation group Pro Natura, allows people to better understand the value of this narrow, 40 kilometre stretch of marshes and woodland. That value can be understood when…

Climate solutions

Glacier survives global warming for another day

This content was published on Jul 11, 2002 swissinfo.ch braves a downpour to take a close look at the first natural World Heritage Site in the Alps.

Climate solutions

WWF warns on Earth resources

This content was published on Jul 10, 2002 Unveiling its fourth “state of the planet” report in Geneva, the conservation group, WWF, said humans are consuming 20 per cent more natural resources – such as fish stocks and forests – than can be regenerated. By 2050, the Earth’s population – then numbering some nine billion – would be consuming between 180 and 220…

Helping the mountain forest

This content was published on May 22, 2002 Since 1987, about 10,000 volunteers have donated a week of their holidays to work in reforestation and conservation projects. No special skills or knowledge are necessary, and everyone over 18 years of age can sign up. Special attention is being given this year to the world’s mountain environments since the United Nations has declared 2002…

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Switzerland spared bullfrog scourge – for now

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Taking stock of the Earth summit

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Earth summit falls short of Swiss hopes

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Swiss launch mountain initiative at Earth summit

More

Chopping down trees to save the forest

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Tepid response for flood victims

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Survival made easier in the Grande Cariçaie

More

Glacier survives global warming for another day

More

WWF warns on Earth resources

More

Helping the mountain forest

Popular Stories

Most Discussed