Articles
New measures for combating and managing particulate matte
Every winter, de-icing salt is scattered on the roads despite its negative impact on the environment, groundwater, infrastructure and cars. But now Klagenfurt/A has come up with an alternative: Instead of salt it is to spray calcium magnesium acetate (CMA), a de-icing agent made from calcium, magnesium and acetic acid. Read More…
EU: Is regional planning foremost an instrument for business development?
EU regional planning ministers are to meet on 25 May 2007 to adopt a Territorial Agenda designed to provide a framework for future spatial development in Europe. Read More…
55th international mountain film festival in Trento
The Trento Film Festival is being held in Trento/I from 24 April to 6 May 2007 for the 55th time. Topical documentary and feature films are to be screened in four categories, with awards going to the best. Read More…
Low-cost construction method for the KlimaHau
The provinces of South Tyrol/I and Lower Saxony/D have co-developed the world's first ever energy-saving prefabricated house based on a low-cost construction method. The aim is to establish and use the South Tyrol KlimaHaus as an alternative construction method for Africa and disaster areas. Read More…
Will the Mont Blanc finally become part of UNESCO's Natural Heritage?
The international Pro Mont Blanc association, which has been campaigning actively since 1991 for the protection of the Mont Blanc, would like to see the mountain massif finally included on UNESCO's World Heritage List. Read More…
Ski runs a hazard for bird communities
According to a report compiled by ecologists at the University of Turin/I in the Journal of Applied Ecology, high-altitude alpine ski runs are posing a serious threat to bird communities. Read More…
Mountain areas as menageries
The latest issue of the Journal of Alpine Research (fr/en) features "mountain areas as menageries". Indeed the decline in biodiversity is a major ecological problem. Read More…
Alpine glaciers melting ever faster
The glaciers of the Alps could well disappear sooner than expected. Researchers now believe that in thirty years' time only the largest and highest glaciers will be left. Read More…
Swiss Mountain Water Award 2007
This year again, the Swiss Mountain Water Award initiated by the Government Conference of the Mountain Cantons is to be held for the third year running since 2005, with prize money worth CHF 50,000. Read More…
Climate Star 2007 - European award for climate protection activities at the local level
For the third time the Climate Alliance of European Cities with Indigenous Rainforest Peoples is inviting all European cities and municipalities to present their climate protection activities and apply for a Climate Star. Read More…
1.5 tonnes of artificial fertilizer for skiing competitions?
The impact of climate change on skiing areas is the subject of the OECD study published on 13 December 2006. It concludes that if a region's average annual temperature increases by one degree, only around 500 of the 666 skiing areas in the Alps could be assured of snow. Read More…
Climate change impacts biodiversity
For a number of years now, biodiversity in Alpine ecosystems has been declining under the effect of climate change. Read More…
German environmental associations obtain greater rights of action
With the coming into force on 15 December 2006 of Germany's environmental legal remedy legislation environmental associations have been given greater rights of action in the area of environmental protection. Read More…
Werfenweng: "Sanft Mobil auf neuen Wegen"
"The idea to create a special book of photographs about Werfenweng and our passion for gentle mobility came about in summer 2005" Read More…
Olympic infrastructures - A bottomless pit?
The infrastructure facilities built for the Olympic Winter Games in Turin in February 2006 have proved an expensive legacy. Read More…
Davos on the road to Kyoto
Davos, Switzerland's highest town, is working towards a more climate-friendly local policy. Read More…
Exchange of know-how on regional management
Two events focusing on regional development and management are scheduled for the beginning of 2007 as part of the workshop series entitled "Future in the Alps: Getting Knowledge Across - Networking People" organised by CIPRA, the International Commission for the Protection of the Alps. Read More…
Tests underway on the world's highest solar power station
The Swiss utility BKW FMB Energie AG is currently conducting trials scheduled to last until this summer on a high-alpine solar power station. Read More…
Database on experts in mountain area research
The Mountain Research Initiative (MRI) has gone online with an expert database comprising almost 5,000 entries on people in governmental and non-governmental organisations as well as private groups who are involved in research into mountain regions in general and the impact of climate change in particular. Read More…
Boosting cross-alpine rail freight traffic
The Adriazug pilot project has been launched in a bid to reduce the burden of HGV traffic on transit routes through the Alps. Read More…
Alpine Convention: concrete measures on behalf of the climate
On November 9 the environment ministers of the alpine states convened for the Alpine Conference, which is held every two years. Read More…
New brochure on International Mountain Partnerships
The Alpine Convention as such is not transferable to other regions. However many of its principles and the experience gained with the Alpine process in particular have proved of value to the sustainable development of non-alpine mountain regions. Read More…
Know-how transfer within the Alps and beyond
CIPRA, the International Commission for the Protection of the Alps, is organising an international workshop series under the motto of "Circulating Knowledge - Networking People". Read More…
Synthesis report: Utilising the value of Alpine landscapes
The Swiss National Fund Programme on "Landscapes and Habitats of the Alps" recently published its synthesis report (de/fr) on the research focus entitled "Land Use and Adding Values". Read More…
Trends in the mountain regions of Switzerland - the view of the locals on DVD
Two new ethnographic films have been released as part of the Swiss National Fund Programme on "Landscapes and Habitats in the Alps". Read More…
Rainfall can trigger earthquakes
A new study shows causal links between rainfall and earth tremors. Read More…
Climate-neutral winter holidays in Arosa
In co-operation with the company ClimatePartner the holiday region of Arosa/CH is the first resort in the Alps to offer climate-neutral winter holidays. Read More…
Environmental management at campsites in South Tyrol
Twelve campsite operators in South Tyrol are planning to introduce an environmental management system as part of the Eco-camping Project. Read More…
The Alps should become a model climate region
CIPRA, the International Commission for the Protection of the Alps, is calling for an Alpine Convention (AC) action plan on climate protection. CIPRA has sent a letter to this effect to the Environment Ministers of the Alpine countries and the EU, who are meeting in Alpbach/A on 8 and 9 November for the 9th Alpine Conference. Read More…
Fertilizer use causes long-term disruption to alpine eco-systems
A study by the Swiss national research programme on "Landscapes and Habitats of the Alp" supports the assumption that alpine eco-systems do not react particularly flexibly to human intervention. Read More…
