At 37% of the total, one-person households are now the most common way to live in Switzerland, according to recently published data by Switzerland’s Federal Statistical Office (FSO). The data from 2022, show that 37% of households contained one person, followed by the 32% that contained two, 13% that contained three, 12% with four and […]
Swiss canton approves 300 franc fine for littering
Anyone littering is currently fined CHF 50 in the canton of Thurgau. A parliamentary initiative by the Swiss People’s Party (SVP/UDC), with support from the Green Party, to raise littering fines sixfold to CHF 300 (US$ 330) was approved by the canton’s parliament this week, reported SRF. One of the initiators, farmer Urs Schär, talked […]
Most Swiss homes still heated with wood or fossil fuel
In 2022, more than two thirds of Swiss homes were heated with heating oil (39%), gas (18%) or by burning wood (12%), according to figures published this week by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). High emission wood, gas and mazout burners heated 69% of Swiss residential buildings in 2022. Heat pumps (19%), standard electric heaters […]
Swiss glaciers lose 10% of their ice in two years
Swiss glaciers lost 5.9% of their volume last year and a further 4.4% of their ice this year. Over the last two years, Swiss glaciers have lost (-5.3 cubic kilometres) more ice than they did in the 30 years between 1950 and 1980 (-2.3 cubic kilometres). The figures were reported this week by the Swiss […]
Switzerland’s population passes 9 million
Recently published data from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) show that Switzerland’s total population passed the 9 million mark at the end of June 2023, reported RTS. At the end of June 2023, 9,006,664 people were living in Switzerland. 8,902,308 were permanent residents and a further 104,356 were present on visas lasting no longer than […]
Parliament wants to make Switzerland’s main motorway six lanes wide
The A1 motorway, which run between Geneva in the west and St Gallen in the east suffers badly from congestion. On 11 September 2023, Switzerland’s parliament voted in favour of adding an extra lane in each direction along the full length of the key route, reported RTS. The vote was in response to a motion […]
High classroom temperatures in Switzerland spark calls for better insulation
In Basel there are calls for better insulation of school buildings or a postponement of the summer holidays. However, the authorities are dampening expectations. The latest heatwave has pushed some school pupils and teachers to their limits, reported SRF. In Basel there are calls to better insulate buildings and adjust the timing of school holidays after […]
Toxic chemicals found in Swiss population
A recent study by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), which analysed the blood and urine of members of the public, revealed undesirable levels of chemical compounds, in particular perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a substance banned since 2010 in Switzerland. PFOA exposure has been associated with two kinds of cancer as well as four other […]
British climber found after 52 years in Saas Fee
In early August 2023, two mountaineers discovered human remains on the Chessjen glacier near Saas Fee. However, the identity of the individual was unknown until DNA test results provided an answer. Forensic analysis was done at a hospital in Valais. The work involved an investigation of unfound missing persons. An examination of the bones further […]
One third of Swiss ski resorts threatened by climate change
Under a scenario where the planet warms by 2 degrees one third of Swiss ski domains would probably not receive sufficient snow to be viable, according to a report published on nature climate change, reported RTS. Between 1961 to 1990, one in five winter seasons provided poor snow. With a 2 degree rise in temperatures […]
