How, how much, at what price: CO2 reduction debate reopens Wednesday, 17 March, 2010 MPs in Bern today will turn their attention back to a popular initiative which calls for Switzerland to pledge to reduce its CO2 emissions by 30 percent by 2020. Those behind the proposal are urging the government to bring in better incentives for more energy-efficient buildings and more fuel-efficient cars rather than increased fuel taxes. But the Cabinet’s put forward a counter-proposal, saying the 30 percent target is too high—and too expensive. WRS’s Catherine Allen asked Green Party MP Bastien Girod about the argument that such big CO2 cuts would cost Switzerland too much:
Mountain plants growing higher and higher Thursday, 4 February, 2010 Scientists in Davos say plants are growing at far higher altitudes than they did 100 years ago. The researchers are following in the footsteps of botanist Wilhelm Schibler who studied the flora and fauna in great detail. Over a 30-year period, Schibler climbed all the mountains above 2,600 metres around Davos, recording the plants he found. WRS’s Vincent Landon reports on a high life among the plants:
Swapping eco-friendly wood chips for salt, gravel on snowy walkways Tuesday, 12 January, 2010 They’re messy, they’re bad for the environment, and yet so far we’ve found nothing better than gravel and salt to keep people from slipping on snow-blown sidewalks. But an alternative solution, launched in La Chaux-de-Fonds in the canton of Neuchâtel, is sparking a lot of interest at home and abroad: wood chips. They’re biodegradable, they work longer than gravel and they don’t leave nasty white streaks on your shoes like salt does. So far so good, but let’s not carried away, say environmentalists. Lucas Chambers has the story:
Cantons go back to the energy solution drawing board Thursday, 3 December, 2009 Last Sunday, the people of Vaud rejected an unlimited operating license for the nuclear power plant in Mühleberg in canton Bern. At the same time in neighboring Neuchâtel, voters shot down a bill proposed by their cantonal government that would have forced building renovations for greater energy efficiency. The parties and environmental groups who supported the bill are disappointed, but some say the result is no surprise considering the lack of support and clarity in the incentives provided. Lucas Chambers has more:
Climate change tourism arrives with glacier decline Tuesday, 25 August, 2009 Most scientists agree that climate change is happening and the Alps are already feeling the impact. Now visitors to the Jungfrau region of the Bernese Oberland can see and learn about the effects as they tour the region. Bern University scientists have developed seven climate change trails for tourists to follow via GPS on iPhones. You can hire the guide for CHF20 a day at the tourist offices in Grindelwald, Wengen or Murren or download the software on your own iPhone. WRS’s Vincent Landon has more:
Green: Climate farming one-ups organic Monday, 29 June, 2009 Many of us have turned to local organic produce as a means of reducing our ecological footprint. But environmentalists fear that simply returning to organic farming is not enough, that we have to repair the damage we’ve done to the environment through harmful agricultural practices. In the Canton of Valais, where many of the country’s most popular wines are made, one winemaker in particular has come up with a way to grow grapes, power his operation and re-absorb CO2 from the atmosphere all at the same time. It’s called climate farming and it’s attracted attention from all over the world. WRS video journalist Amy Wong went to see how this works.
International Relations Uncovered: Copenhagen Friday, 26 June, 2009 Dr. Ruxandra Stoicescu explains to WRS’s Conor Lennon why countries are getting excited about climate change now and how they’re prepping for the upcoming conference in Copenhagen.
Putting eco-friendly food on the table Friday, 15 May, 2009 What does eating and cooking in an environmentally friendly way mean here and now, at this moment, in 2009? At first blush, most people would say it means eating organic food—and there’s certainly nothing wrong with that!—but there’s so much more to it these days:
Gardening gets even greener Friday, 15 May, 2009 The popularity of organic gardening has increased significantly over the last few years. As it’s grown from being essentially a protest movement, much of the theory and practice of organic gardening have moved into the mainstream. If you’ve been wanting to join the movement and “green up” your gardening practices but don’t really know where to start, Garden Doctor Hester MacDonald has answers to the most common questions she receives from listeners, with prescriptions ranging in complexity and eco-friendliness:
Growing green: Organic goods in Switzerland Friday, 15 May, 2009 Organic, fair trade, sustainable, slow food, eco-friendly: popular buzz words these days for consumers looking for a back-to-the-basics, healthy and, well, “green” lifestyle. While many retailers in the developed world are just starting to jump on the green bandwagon, Switzerland has been an undisputed pioneer of the movement in Europe, and still a forerunner today, as a stroll through any supermarket or farmers’ market can indicate.
Renewable fish farm takes root in Lake Geneva Friday, 15 May, 2009 Heard the one about a fish farm in a tree? It may sound like a fishy tale, yet this is exactly what fishermen are doing in Lake Geneva.
Zurich set to squeeze energy consumption Friday, 15 May, 2009 The city of Zurich has set itself the ambitious task of reducing its average per capita energy consumption by two-thirds. Currently each resident consumes energy at an average rate of 6,000 watts a year. This is to be cut to 2,000 watts by 2050.
Where dead batteries are laid to rest Friday, 15 May, 2009 Have you ever wondered what happens to your old batteries? Every year in Switzerland, 120 million of them reach the end of their useful life. Of these, two-thirds end up in collection centres to be recycled.