Science

Switzerland helps Indian reconstruction efforts

This content was published on Feb 16, 2001 The Swiss government’s international development aid agency (Deza) said on Friday the aim was to improve living conditions for local people. The promised aid is in addition to SFr500,000 donated by Deza in January to help with the immediate aftermath of the disaster, which left a confirmed death toll of 18,000. The latest funds are…

Climate solutions

Small victory for nature conservation

This content was published on Jan 19, 2001 The attempt to set up a second national park is a bold move by Pro Natura. It comes after communities living close to the existing Swiss National Park in eastern Switzerland voted against further expansion plans. Even though the Swiss National Park was the first of its kind in Europe when it was set up…

Climate solutions

Swiss glaciers melting at an alarming rate

This content was published on Dec 30, 2000 Researchers from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology found that of 76 glaciers studied, 68 showed clear signs of melting. Only three glaciers gained in size while five remained the same as in 1999. Martin Hoelzle, a hydrology and glaciology expert who participated in the study, says that melting ice causes lakes to form on…

Climate solutions

Swiss forests recover a year after hurricane

This content was published on Dec 26, 2000 Lothar, carrying winds of up to 160 kilometres an hour, left a trail of destruction mainly in central Switzerland, snapping trees like matchsticks, cutting swathes through forests and disrupting communications. More than 10 million trees succumbed to the terrifying winds. The forest above the central town of Stans was one of the worst-hit in the…

Climate solutions

Swiss green activist feared dead in Borneo

This content was published on Dec 21, 2000 Malaysian police say there is no evidence that Manser, who was deported last year and barred from re-entering, was in the country. But the Bruno Manser Fund (BMF) insist he crossed into Sarawak state from Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of Borneo, before disappearing. “We are resigned,” said BMF Secretary John Kuenzli. “If Bruno Manser were…

Climate solutions

Small victory for nature conservation

This content was published on Dec 15, 2000 The attempt to set up a second national park is a bold move by Pro Natura. It comes after communities living close to the existing Swiss National Park in eastern Switzerland voted against further expansion plans. Even though the Swiss National Park was the first of its kind in Europe when it was set up…

Climate solutions

Rescuers give up hope of finding flood victims alive

This content was published on Dec 14, 2000 The victims disappeared after an avalanche of mud and rock swept 1,000 metres down into a valley, wiping out two chalets and a number of farm buildings. “We are still hoping to find their remains,” said the leader of the rescue mission, Paul-Andre Gillioz. The three – a man and two women – were aged…

Climate solutions

Communities vie to become home of new national park

This content was published on Dec 12, 2000 Switzerland’s main nature protection body, Pro Natura, says the three regions appear to meet the strict criteria required to become a national park, and that all have the backing of the local populations. Ninety communities had signalled that they were interested in becoming the location of the new park. The three regions selected are Val…

Climate solutions

Vote threatens plans to extend National Park

This content was published on Dec 3, 2000 The community of Zernez rejected the proposal to enlarge the national park by 227 votes to 145. Close to 64 per cent of the residents took part in the vote, which the mayor, Chasper Buchli, described as “emotional”. The decision is a serious setback to the government plans, because 69 per cent of the park…

Climate solutions

Course of Rhone to be altered after flood disasters

This content was published on Dec 2, 2000 The project is not simply a matter of bolstering existing defences. It aims to widen the river to minimise the risk of flooding, and to encourage nature to flourish. It will take the canton several years to absorb the cost of October’s disaster. More than SFr 500 million worth of damage was done to waterways,…

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