Swiss Stories

© Photo: Fabian Biasio.

A Swiss chef cooks up the forest

Environment
'Wizard of Entlebuch' Stefan Wiesner cooks with stone, earth, ash, wood – and ants.
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.
Centovalli Express, Intragna, Ticino. © Swiss Travel System AG

The hidden gems of Switzerland’s public transport

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Gornergrat? Been there. Glacier Express? Done that. Fans of Switzerland already know and love the country’s public transport gems. But there are many trips and means of transport that are less well known. So, now’s the perfect time to discover some of these hidden treasures – and Switzerland has plenty.
Teaser

The national gene bank

Environment
Humanity's future depends on the diversity of the species living on our planet, as they provide present and future generations with a food source and a healthy environment. 'Our Biodiversity, Our Food, Our Health' was the theme of the United Nations International Day for Biological Diversity on 22 May 2019. In Switzerland, many varieties of plants are stored in the national gene bank maintained by Agroscope, the Swiss centre of excellence for agricultural research.
Chasselas

Grape varieties – Swiss made

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The town of Vevey will host its renowned Winegrowers' Festival, the Fête des Vignerons, from 18 July to 11 August 2019. This event, recognised by UNESCO as 'intangible cultural heritage', pays tribute to the winemakers of Lavaux, overlooking Lake Geneva. It is also an opportunity to taste a selection of Swiss-made wines in advance, some of which have recently won international awards.
Swiss village over pasture

The Swiss Village Farm

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Today we venture out to discover the Swiss Village Farm (SVF) Foundation, a complex of old cottages and meadows, home to the most extraordinary species of cattle, goats, sheep and hens. Four-horned rams, 'fainting' goats that keel over with fright when startled, gold-crested hens. Are these simply quirks of nature? Not in the least. These are species born from centuries of crossbreeding, experiments of breeders willing to create stronger and more resistant animals through controlled mating; species that today risk extinction, because they no longer conform to the standards of the global food industry.

by Niccolò Iorno

10 Climeworks Plant Greenhouse Background Copyright Climeworks Photo by Julia Dunlop

The Swiss CO2 vacuum cleaner

Environment
The Zurich-based company Climeworks has developed giant sensors to filter ambient air and capture carbon dioxide, which is then injected underground. Since the start-up was founded in 2017, its technology has made its mark in several different sectors. Climeworks aims to eliminate 1% of global emissions by 2025.

by Mehdi Atmani