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S U B S C R I B E
WRS stories about environment
Giant spiders a new threat from global warning?
Wednesday, 13 May, 2009
A new study from scientists in Greenland suggests spiders are getting bigger, apparently a consequence of global warming. Danish arachnologists studied the body size of the Greenlandic ‘Wolf Spider’ over a period of 10 years, and, as reported in the Blick newspaper, observed an increase in girth in proportion to the increase in the temperature. So, as temperatures slowly increase worldwide, are we going to see super-sized spiders in Switzerland too? WRS’s Catherine Allen spoke to Wolfgang Nentwig, head of Community Ecology at the Institute of Ecology and Evolution at Bern University to find out if arachnophobes in Switzerland have cause to worry.
Wednesday, 13 May, 2009
A new study from scientists in Greenland suggests spiders are getting bigger, apparently a consequence of global warming. Danish arachnologists studied the body size of the Greenlandic ‘Wolf Spider’ over a period of 10 years, and, as reported in the Blick newspaper, observed an increase in girth in proportion to the increase in the temperature. So, as temperatures slowly increase worldwide, are we going to see super-sized spiders in Switzerland too? WRS’s Catherine Allen spoke to Wolfgang Nentwig, head of Community Ecology at the Institute of Ecology and Evolution at Bern University to find out if arachnophobes in Switzerland have cause to worry.
A bear-y nice trip to Italy
Thursday, 30 April, 2009
They are an important part of Swiss culture – the capital city is named after them and they appear on numerous cantonal flag - yet they are often completely misunderstood. In a recent poll conducted by the WWF, the vast majority of Swiss people are in favour of the brown bear returning to the Alps. More bears are expected to cross over from Italy into the Canton of Graubünden. However, their survival in this country depends on whether humans can adapt to their existence. WRS video journalist Amy Wong went to Northern Italy on a bear trip organized by the conservation group Pro Natura.
Thursday, 30 April, 2009
They are an important part of Swiss culture – the capital city is named after them and they appear on numerous cantonal flag - yet they are often completely misunderstood. In a recent poll conducted by the WWF, the vast majority of Swiss people are in favour of the brown bear returning to the Alps. More bears are expected to cross over from Italy into the Canton of Graubünden. However, their survival in this country depends on whether humans can adapt to their existence. WRS video journalist Amy Wong went to Northern Italy on a bear trip organized by the conservation group Pro Natura.
Living the e-bike life
Tuesday, 21 April, 2009
Sales have doubled every year for the past three years. In 2008, 11 thousand electric bicycles were sold across the country. The government is strongly in favour of these two-wheeled wonders as they reduce congestion, noise pollution and CO2 emissions. In fact many municipalities across Switzerland offer subsidies for purchasing new e-bikes, and it seems to be resonating with urban families. Now more residents are opting to use a combination of bicycles and public transportation instead of a car. WRS video journalist Amy Wong raced local parliamentarian Michèle Künzler to City Hall to find out more.
Tuesday, 21 April, 2009
Sales have doubled every year for the past three years. In 2008, 11 thousand electric bicycles were sold across the country. The government is strongly in favour of these two-wheeled wonders as they reduce congestion, noise pollution and CO2 emissions. In fact many municipalities across Switzerland offer subsidies for purchasing new e-bikes, and it seems to be resonating with urban families. Now more residents are opting to use a combination of bicycles and public transportation instead of a car. WRS video journalist Amy Wong raced local parliamentarian Michèle Künzler to City Hall to find out more.
Biofuels face strict tax exemption rules
Thursday, 16 April, 2009
From the farm to the forecourt, the federa government has laid out the tax exemption rules for biofuels. The regime is, in a word, strict. If you are a biofuels producer or processor, you’ll have to satisfy exacting criteria to get your tax-exempt status. Charlotte Opal is the coordinator of the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels, an international initiative at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne. She spoke to Susan Flory and explained what this means for biofuel producers.
Thursday, 16 April, 2009
From the farm to the forecourt, the federa government has laid out the tax exemption rules for biofuels. The regime is, in a word, strict. If you are a biofuels producer or processor, you’ll have to satisfy exacting criteria to get your tax-exempt status. Charlotte Opal is the coordinator of the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels, an international initiative at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne. She spoke to Susan Flory and explained what this means for biofuel producers.
Living in a Swiss eco-house
Monday, 16 March, 2009
Since the beginning of the ‘Green’ era, achieving the sustainable house has been somewhat like the quest for the Holy Grail. There have been many drastic attempts at energy-efficiency, including houses covered in solar panels and photovoltaic cells. However these sometimes radical approaches often do not take into account different lifestyles and the varying environmental conditions that people live in. But here in alpine Switzerland they’ve learned to make use of simply designs that passively collect energy. Now many foreign architects are realizing that this more subtle approach may be the answer. WRS video journalist Amy Wong spoke to Swiss architect, Davide Macullo and spent the day in one of his award-winning eco-houses.
Monday, 16 March, 2009
Since the beginning of the ‘Green’ era, achieving the sustainable house has been somewhat like the quest for the Holy Grail. There have been many drastic attempts at energy-efficiency, including houses covered in solar panels and photovoltaic cells. However these sometimes radical approaches often do not take into account different lifestyles and the varying environmental conditions that people live in. But here in alpine Switzerland they’ve learned to make use of simply designs that passively collect energy. Now many foreign architects are realizing that this more subtle approach may be the answer. WRS video journalist Amy Wong spoke to Swiss architect, Davide Macullo and spent the day in one of his award-winning eco-houses.
Are hybrid cars the complete package?
Friday, 6 March, 2009
This year’s Geneva’s Motor Show has been accompanied by renewed buzz over hybrid models. Most big car companies seem to be pinning their hopes of a recovery from the current sales slump on this concept. Manufacturers are talking of a big step forward in environmentally friendly design. Or at least that’s the spin. WRS decided to dig a little deeper to find out what these cars are really all about and whether they really do offer a greener options. Lucas Chambers reports.
Friday, 6 March, 2009
This year’s Geneva’s Motor Show has been accompanied by renewed buzz over hybrid models. Most big car companies seem to be pinning their hopes of a recovery from the current sales slump on this concept. Manufacturers are talking of a big step forward in environmentally friendly design. Or at least that’s the spin. WRS decided to dig a little deeper to find out what these cars are really all about and whether they really do offer a greener options. Lucas Chambers reports.
Pollution problems dog Valais oil refinery
Friday, 20 February, 2009
Anger is mounting in the canton of Valais against Libya’s Tamoil petroleum group, which is one of the biggest oil companies operating in Switzerland. In November last year, one of its refineries located beside the River Rhone spilled 150,000 litres of oil. Over the past six years, the plant’s exhaust system has regularly exceeded air quality standards. These incidents have led to environmental damage and raised health concerns among the local population. The Valais authorities have ordered Tamoil to carry out a number of remedial measures by 2011. And, as Lucas Chambers reports, the company’s communication skills could also do with a bit of attention.
Friday, 20 February, 2009
Anger is mounting in the canton of Valais against Libya’s Tamoil petroleum group, which is one of the biggest oil companies operating in Switzerland. In November last year, one of its refineries located beside the River Rhone spilled 150,000 litres of oil. Over the past six years, the plant’s exhaust system has regularly exceeded air quality standards. These incidents have led to environmental damage and raised health concerns among the local population. The Valais authorities have ordered Tamoil to carry out a number of remedial measures by 2011. And, as Lucas Chambers reports, the company’s communication skills could also do with a bit of attention.
Nuclear debate heats up
Tuesday, 17 February, 2009
In Switzerland, five nuclear plants produce about 40 per cent of the country’s electricity. Hydropower accounts for most of the rest. Over the next ten years, the nuclear plants will start to reach the end of their operational life. That’s led to heated debate over the country’s future energy supply. Some say we should replace the existing power plants or build new ones. Others say the future lies in renewables or an increase in energy efficiency. And the government believes the medium to long term future lies somewhere in between. Vincent Landon reports.
Tuesday, 17 February, 2009
In Switzerland, five nuclear plants produce about 40 per cent of the country’s electricity. Hydropower accounts for most of the rest. Over the next ten years, the nuclear plants will start to reach the end of their operational life. That’s led to heated debate over the country’s future energy supply. Some say we should replace the existing power plants or build new ones. Others say the future lies in renewables or an increase in energy efficiency. And the government believes the medium to long term future lies somewhere in between. Vincent Landon reports.
Shop and drop-off via bicycle courier
Thursday, 12 February, 2009
Relief for those who are tired of carrying heavy grocery bags up the steep hills of Lausanne will be arriving this Saturday. The bicycle courier collective, Vélocité, is starting a new service for shoppers called Dring Dring. After purchasing goods at participating retail stores or online, shoppers can have them sent to home the same day. WRS video journalist Amy Wong rode up the steep hills of Lausanne to deliver some parcels.
Thursday, 12 February, 2009
Relief for those who are tired of carrying heavy grocery bags up the steep hills of Lausanne will be arriving this Saturday. The bicycle courier collective, Vélocité, is starting a new service for shoppers called Dring Dring. After purchasing goods at participating retail stores or online, shoppers can have them sent to home the same day. WRS video journalist Amy Wong rode up the steep hills of Lausanne to deliver some parcels.
Is it 'unfeasible' to ban plastic bags?
Monday, 9 February, 2009
Conor Lennon speaks to an opponent of Switzerland’s proposed ban on plastic bags, Dr. Ernesto Engel, director of the Swiss Plastics Association.
Monday, 9 February, 2009
Conor Lennon speaks to an opponent of Switzerland’s proposed ban on plastic bags, Dr. Ernesto Engel, director of the Swiss Plastics Association.
2008: Progress for the environment?
Friday, 19 December, 2008
Pete Forster wraps up our year-end review with a look at how 2008 unfolded for the planet itself. He spoke yesterday with Thomas Vellacott from WWF Switzerland to ask for his viewpoint on the matter.
Friday, 19 December, 2008
Pete Forster wraps up our year-end review with a look at how 2008 unfolded for the planet itself. He spoke yesterday with Thomas Vellacott from WWF Switzerland to ask for his viewpoint on the matter.
Cleaning up Asia, one engine at a time
Friday, 21 November, 2008
Tim Bauer’s efforts to bring clean air to the cities of the Philippines have been recognised by a Swiss award for enterprise, the Rolex Prize. Bauer is a mechanical engineer who realised the motorised tricycles you see all over Asia are a major cause of air pollution. It’s his work in making the engines cleaner that have been recognised. He came into the WRS studios to speak with Conor Lennon on Drive Time. So just how dirty are these vehicles?
Friday, 21 November, 2008
Tim Bauer’s efforts to bring clean air to the cities of the Philippines have been recognised by a Swiss award for enterprise, the Rolex Prize. Bauer is a mechanical engineer who realised the motorised tricycles you see all over Asia are a major cause of air pollution. It’s his work in making the engines cleaner that have been recognised. He came into the WRS studios to speak with Conor Lennon on Drive Time. So just how dirty are these vehicles?
Surprises among top 10 pollution problems
Thursday, 23 October, 2008
The Green Cross Switzerland has just released its annual list of the world’s worst pollution problems. Some of the usual culprits are listed such as industrial mining, radioactive waste and contaminated water. But there are some other problems that might not be as well known, but are contributing just as much to global pollution and causing safety concerns. WRS’s Michele Mischler spoke to Stephan Robinson from the Green Cross Switzerland.
Thursday, 23 October, 2008
The Green Cross Switzerland has just released its annual list of the world’s worst pollution problems. Some of the usual culprits are listed such as industrial mining, radioactive waste and contaminated water. But there are some other problems that might not be as well known, but are contributing just as much to global pollution and causing safety concerns. WRS’s Michele Mischler spoke to Stephan Robinson from the Green Cross Switzerland.
Polar Day to highlight climate change effects on people
Wednesday, 24 September, 2008
The World Meteorological Organization says the hole in the ozone layer over the Arctic is bigger this year than last, exposing the region to more sunlight. More sunlight means warmer temperatures that change landscapes and people’s lives. So to raise awareness, the World Meteorological Organization named September 24th Polar Day focusing on the people of the region. World Radio Switzerland’s Alex Helmick spoke to the World Meteorological Organization’s Eduard Sarukhanian about the 6th Annual Polar Day.
Wednesday, 24 September, 2008
The World Meteorological Organization says the hole in the ozone layer over the Arctic is bigger this year than last, exposing the region to more sunlight. More sunlight means warmer temperatures that change landscapes and people’s lives. So to raise awareness, the World Meteorological Organization named September 24th Polar Day focusing on the people of the region. World Radio Switzerland’s Alex Helmick spoke to the World Meteorological Organization’s Eduard Sarukhanian about the 6th Annual Polar Day.
Common birds becoming less common
Tuesday, 23 September, 2008
A new report says the world’s common birds are on the decline. And in Europe the decline slides to 45 percent losses according to the group Birdlife International. So how is Switzerland doing? World Radio Switzerland’s Alex Helmick spoke to top bird conservation researcher at the Swiss Ornithological Institute Verena Keller about the situation and what it means if birds are disappearing.
Tuesday, 23 September, 2008
A new report says the world’s common birds are on the decline. And in Europe the decline slides to 45 percent losses according to the group Birdlife International. So how is Switzerland doing? World Radio Switzerland’s Alex Helmick spoke to top bird conservation researcher at the Swiss Ornithological Institute Verena Keller about the situation and what it means if birds are disappearing.
