Swiss Stories

Lake Rotsee © Eawag

The bacteria that could beat climate change

Environment
Lakes emit significant amounts of greenhouse gases, in particular methane, a greenhouse gas more that twenty times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2). One square kilometre of lake can emit 800 times more methane than the same area of ocean.
Cargo sous terrain

Cargo sous terrain: the project taking Swiss innovation to a whole new level

Environment
Cargo sous terrain (CST) is a new, innovative, totally ecological, state-of-the-art project. As the idea is so new, it also brings with it uncertainties and doubts about its implementation. However, this did not dissuade the Federal Council: in February 2020 it issued the legal basis for the project, which aims to take freight transport underground.
wormup home

Worm composting comes to Swiss cities

Environment
A new start-up in Zurich is developing worm compost systems for domestic use. With these systems, organic waste can be easily and practically converted into excellent fertiliser at home.
© Photo: Fabian Biasio.

A Swiss chef cooks up the forest

Environment
'Wizard of Entlebuch' Stefan Wiesner cooks with stone, earth, ash, wood – and ants.
gottardo

A green tunnel

Environment
With UNESCO World Heritage sites, nature reserves, an arboretum and a highly active Swiss league for nature protection, wildlife conservation is of concern to the Swiss. The plans for the Gotthard Base Tunnel were drawn up with this in mind. 152 kilometers of shafts and passages were excavated with minimal environmental damage.
90% of our food comes from the earth © Agroscope, Gabriela Brändle

Swiss Soils: A Treasure to Protect

Environment
Seemingly motionless yet very much alive, essential for the ecosystem yet fragile: as a natural resource of great ecological value, Swiss soils are at the very heart of the concerns of Agroscope and the Swiss Soil Monitoring Network (abbreviated as NABO).
Lag da Claus Surrein

When rock from the Gotthard Base Tunnel heads to the beach

Environment
After lying dormant in the heart of the mountain for several million years, a portion of the 28 million tonnes of material excavated to build the Gotthard Base Tunnel has been given a new and somewhat more exotic lease of life.