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Environment
Results 1 - 50 of 1018.
Two catastrophic years obliterate 10% of glaciers
SCNAT and its network are committed to a sustainable science and society. They support policy-making, administration and business with expert knowledge and actively participate in public discourse.
SCNAT and its network are committed to a sustainable science and society. They support policy-making, administration and business with expert knowledge and actively participate in public discourse.
Cutting food waste every step of the way
Every year over a billion tons of food worldwide are thrown away or perish, at a hefty environmental and climate cost.
Every year over a billion tons of food worldwide are thrown away or perish, at a hefty environmental and climate cost.
«Ungulates eat the trees of the future»
In many Swiss forests, and especially in protection forests, there is a lack of tree regeneration. One reason is the impact of red deer, chamois and roe deer, which browse on tree saplings or rub their antlers against young trees.
In many Swiss forests, and especially in protection forests, there is a lack of tree regeneration. One reason is the impact of red deer, chamois and roe deer, which browse on tree saplings or rub their antlers against young trees.
Ecologist Anita Risch elected to the WSL directorate
On 21 September 2023, the ETH Board elected Anita Risch to the WSL Directorate. The ecologist and private lecturer at ETH Zurich researches the interactions and functions of animals, plants and soil organisms in ecosystems around the world.
On 21 September 2023, the ETH Board elected Anita Risch to the WSL Directorate. The ecologist and private lecturer at ETH Zurich researches the interactions and functions of animals, plants and soil organisms in ecosystems around the world.
How can we save energy for later?
Converting electricity into hydrogen in order to store sustainable energy over a longer period is a hot topic. With the expertise and the tools of researchers, a master's student at ETH Zurich has investigated whether the use of a so-called power-to-hydrogen-to-power system in a multi-family house makes sense.
Converting electricity into hydrogen in order to store sustainable energy over a longer period is a hot topic. With the expertise and the tools of researchers, a master's student at ETH Zurich has investigated whether the use of a so-called power-to-hydrogen-to-power system in a multi-family house makes sense.
Enriching partnership for research and innovation
Research institutes of the ETH Domain strengthen cooperation in strategic areas Energy transition, climate change, biodiversity and resource scarcity - today's challenges are complex, and the clock is ticking.
Research institutes of the ETH Domain strengthen cooperation in strategic areas Energy transition, climate change, biodiversity and resource scarcity - today's challenges are complex, and the clock is ticking.
’I jumped at the chance to combine my convictions with my research.’
STUDENT PROJECT - Bénédicte Lunven just finished her bacherlor's degree and already has a foot in the sustainable economy door.
STUDENT PROJECT - Bénédicte Lunven just finished her bacherlor's degree and already has a foot in the sustainable economy door.
Heat waves become more frequent and deadly
The risk of fatal heat waves has already risen sharply over the past twenty years. In the future, such extremes will become more frequent and heat-related excess mortality will increase. Europe is particularly affected by this, as researchers show . Heat waves like the one we are currently experiencing are particularly deadly for the elderly, the sick and the poor.
The risk of fatal heat waves has already risen sharply over the past twenty years. In the future, such extremes will become more frequent and heat-related excess mortality will increase. Europe is particularly affected by this, as researchers show . Heat waves like the one we are currently experiencing are particularly deadly for the elderly, the sick and the poor.
In the great outdoors
ETH students are mapping the groundwater in an area of forest near Bern. This fieldwork will give them the skills they need for a career in environmental engineering.
ETH students are mapping the groundwater in an area of forest near Bern. This fieldwork will give them the skills they need for a career in environmental engineering.
Valuable raw materials from olive waste
ETH spin-off Gaia Tech transforms waste from olive oil production into high-quality antioxidants for use in cosmetics or food.
ETH spin-off Gaia Tech transforms waste from olive oil production into high-quality antioxidants for use in cosmetics or food.
’Green Transition’ needs enhanced action on sustainable minerals and metals
Switzerland hosts major events on the governance of mineral and metal resources Climate change discussions often overlook the central role played by the excessive extraction and use of natural resources.
Switzerland hosts major events on the governance of mineral and metal resources Climate change discussions often overlook the central role played by the excessive extraction and use of natural resources.
Global warming-induced glacier retreat could create novel ecosystems
Climate change caused by human activity under a high-emissions scenario may halve the area covered by glaciers outside the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets by the end of the century, reports a study.
Climate change caused by human activity under a high-emissions scenario may halve the area covered by glaciers outside the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets by the end of the century, reports a study.
Bear-human coexistence rethought
The media uproar over wolf attacks on livestock in Switzerland and a bear attack in Italy show how charged the issue of large carnivores and humans coexisting in Europe is.
The media uproar over wolf attacks on livestock in Switzerland and a bear attack in Italy show how charged the issue of large carnivores and humans coexisting in Europe is.
Trees are not always a miracle cure for improving air quality
Master's project series (7). Donato Kofel has quantified the positive and negative effects of trees on outdoor air quality in Geneva Canton.
Master's project series (7). Donato Kofel has quantified the positive and negative effects of trees on outdoor air quality in Geneva Canton.
Voluntary carbon offsets often fail to deliver what they promise
calls for more ambitious standards in the voluntary carbon offset market. While this would lead to fewer projects getting funded, the benefit for the climate would be greater overall.
calls for more ambitious standards in the voluntary carbon offset market. While this would lead to fewer projects getting funded, the benefit for the climate would be greater overall.
EPFL Carbon Team aims to capture CO2 with sieves and sponges
The team of students is working on a unique prototype that uses graphene membranes combined with a porous, sponge-like material to pull carbon from the atmosphere.
The team of students is working on a unique prototype that uses graphene membranes combined with a porous, sponge-like material to pull carbon from the atmosphere.
Boosting circular economy in the automotive sector
New vehicles are responsible for around ten percent of plastic demand in the EU, and the automotive sector is the number one consumer of raw materials like aluminum, magnesium, platinum group metals, and rare earth elements.
New vehicles are responsible for around ten percent of plastic demand in the EU, and the automotive sector is the number one consumer of raw materials like aluminum, magnesium, platinum group metals, and rare earth elements.
’co-operate’: model for climate-friendly construction
The future Empa and Eawag campus is set to become an inspiring space for new ideas and innovation, also with a view to environmentally and climate-friendly construction of the future.
The future Empa and Eawag campus is set to become an inspiring space for new ideas and innovation, also with a view to environmentally and climate-friendly construction of the future.
EPFL launched a pioneering project to detect pollen, dust and smoke
Since the start of this year, a suite of instruments has been hard at work detecting a broad spectrum of aerosols at the MeteoSwiss weather station in Payerne, in Vaud Canton.
Since the start of this year, a suite of instruments has been hard at work detecting a broad spectrum of aerosols at the MeteoSwiss weather station in Payerne, in Vaud Canton.
CO2 statistics 2022: Emissions from gasoline and diesel down slightly
CO2 emissions from fuels (gasoline and diesel) decreased by 1.1 percent in 2022 compared to the previous year.
CO2 emissions from fuels (gasoline and diesel) decreased by 1.1 percent in 2022 compared to the previous year.
A new app to identify plants more precisely
There are plenty of plant identification apps - but only few, that directly help research.
There are plenty of plant identification apps - but only few, that directly help research.
’Federal systems are experimental spaces for a sustainable state.’
Steps toward sustainability are an important topic for many administrations. How does -sustainabilization- work in the Swiss cantons? Marius Christen and Basil Bornemann from the University of Basel examined this question.
Steps toward sustainability are an important topic for many administrations. How does -sustainabilization- work in the Swiss cantons? Marius Christen and Basil Bornemann from the University of Basel examined this question.
Birds and the heat
In the last few days it has been exceptionally hot. Not only we humans feel the effects of the current weather situation, also the birds have to come to terms with the high temperatures.
In the last few days it has been exceptionally hot. Not only we humans feel the effects of the current weather situation, also the birds have to come to terms with the high temperatures.
Moderate Temperatures Also Cause Death - Not Only Extreme Heat
Recent analyses by Swiss TPH show that not only heat waves, but also moderately hot temperatures, contribute to heat-related fatalities. On behalf of the Swiss federal government, Swiss TPH now monitors heat-related deaths in Switzerland on an annual basis. This monitoring provides a long-term record of the effects of climate change on health and helps to identify adaptation measures.
Recent analyses by Swiss TPH show that not only heat waves, but also moderately hot temperatures, contribute to heat-related fatalities. On behalf of the Swiss federal government, Swiss TPH now monitors heat-related deaths in Switzerland on an annual basis. This monitoring provides a long-term record of the effects of climate change on health and helps to identify adaptation measures.
To achieve climate neutrality in the chemical industry, we must also cut demand
Innovative production technologies are crucial to the chemical industry's net-zero endeavour - but they're not always enough, says Paolo Gabrielli. Chemical products, such as plastics, fertilisers and solvents pervade our modern lifestyle. The vast majority are derived from crude oil or natural gas - and producing them generates around 5 percent of global CO2 emissions.
Innovative production technologies are crucial to the chemical industry's net-zero endeavour - but they're not always enough, says Paolo Gabrielli. Chemical products, such as plastics, fertilisers and solvents pervade our modern lifestyle. The vast majority are derived from crude oil or natural gas - and producing them generates around 5 percent of global CO2 emissions.
’We should give something back to society’
Ruzica Dadic has been Head of the Snow and Atmosphere Research Unit at the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF) since 1 February 2023.
Ruzica Dadic has been Head of the Snow and Atmosphere Research Unit at the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF) since 1 February 2023.
ETH Zurich and EPFL launch a green energy coalition
ETH Zurich and EPFL want to work with partners from politics, science and industry to push innovative storage and transport solutions for renewable energy carriers.
ETH Zurich and EPFL want to work with partners from politics, science and industry to push innovative storage and transport solutions for renewable energy carriers.
Can Switzerland transition to a secure renewables-based energy system? Absolutely!
Gabriela Hug - an expert in power transmission networks - argues that securing an affordable energy supply from renewable sources is not a utopian ideal for Switzerland, but rather a practical and feasible necessity.
Gabriela Hug - an expert in power transmission networks - argues that securing an affordable energy supply from renewable sources is not a utopian ideal for Switzerland, but rather a practical and feasible necessity.
Rethinking wastewater management
Sewer systems and centralised treatment plants are not a sustainable solution for managing the world's wastewater. Environmental engineers at ETH Zurich and Eawag have been helping to develop decentralised, closed-loop modular systems. Out of sight, out of mind: we've been flushing away human waste ever since sewers were invented, using copious amounts of fresh water to expel it from our homes and cities as fast as the pipes can carry it.
Sewer systems and centralised treatment plants are not a sustainable solution for managing the world's wastewater. Environmental engineers at ETH Zurich and Eawag have been helping to develop decentralised, closed-loop modular systems. Out of sight, out of mind: we've been flushing away human waste ever since sewers were invented, using copious amounts of fresh water to expel it from our homes and cities as fast as the pipes can carry it.
The great clean-up
From tackling micropollutants in wastewater to removing plastic waste from rivers, here are five solutions based on ETH expertise.
From tackling micropollutants in wastewater to removing plastic waste from rivers, here are five solutions based on ETH expertise.
A world in flux
Heavier rain, longer droughts, melting glaciers: climate change has a dramatic impact on the global water cycle.
Heavier rain, longer droughts, melting glaciers: climate change has a dramatic impact on the global water cycle.
A contested resource
The expansion of hydropower generation often leads to conflicts of interest, both in Switzerland and beyond.
The expansion of hydropower generation often leads to conflicts of interest, both in Switzerland and beyond.
A less-known side of plastic pollution
Plastics contain thousands of chemicals that can harm the environment and human health. Yet we know too little about approximately half of them.
Plastics contain thousands of chemicals that can harm the environment and human health. Yet we know too little about approximately half of them.
Energy security in a climate-neutral Switzerland is possible
Security of energy supply in a fossil-free Switzerland is feasible and affordable according to a new white paper from an expert group at the Energy Science Center.
Security of energy supply in a fossil-free Switzerland is feasible and affordable according to a new white paper from an expert group at the Energy Science Center.
Why the Swiss are shipping CO 2 to Iceland
Yesterday, Swiss President Alain Berset toured the Carbfix plant in Iceland and visited the facilities where the pilot project "DemoUpCARMA" is implemented.
Yesterday, Swiss President Alain Berset toured the Carbfix plant in Iceland and visited the facilities where the pilot project "DemoUpCARMA" is implemented.
Research management - Sep 28
State Secretary Hirayama in Japan for a working visit and the inauguration of a new Swissnex location
State Secretary Hirayama in Japan for a working visit and the inauguration of a new Swissnex location
Research management - Sep 27
University rankings, USI among the best 300 universities according to Times Higher Education
University rankings, USI among the best 300 universities according to Times Higher Education