Attitudes to The Environment - Switzerland
“It looks like the days of skiing on South facing slopes are numbered” remarked the skier to his companion over an apres ski beer in the Swiss resort of Toggenburg. As the two observed the mixture of mud, grass and snow on the slower ski runs on a February afternoon, they murmured about the regretful advance of climate change, the impacts of which were occurring before their very eyes.
Sitting at the table opposite, and having previously wiped mud from my skis for the first time ever, I observed the pair finish their drinks as they continued to discuss the impending catastrophe, before tottering across the car park and jumping in to a large BMW SUV, apparently oblivious to their own part in the play. Similar scenes are replayed daily the world over. Many people agree that human-kind is having a negative impact on our environment, but few are taking direct action. - more on this later.
- » See also: Common but Lethal Soil Fungus Becoming Resistant to Antifungals
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The cleanest, tidiest and most pollution free nation in the world?
The Swiss, as a nation, are almost obsessive about their environment. Home to some of the most stunning natural scenery in the world, they are keen to keep it that way. They are diligent recyclers, 
with strict fines for environmental crimes such as sneaking a glass bottle into the trash, drivers are obliged to switch off their engines whilst waiting at traffic lights (only the first three cars in the queue may keep engines running) and factories are subject to strict laws on pollutants, together with a whole myriad of additional regulations aimed at keeping the country neat, tidy and pollution free.
Switzerland’s crowning achievement for environmental concern came during a particularly cold spell in 2006. So concerned were the Swiss by the impact on air quality as heating systems worked overtime, they instantly imposed a nationwide speed limit of 50mph in order to compensate until things warmed up.
Personal responsibility?
So am I not picking on an unfortunate example with my SUV driving climate change commentators of earlier? Perhaps, although they serve as a perfect example of the continuous trade-off between standard of living, consumption of resources, and environmental stewardship. Whilst wealthy nations tend to take better care of their environment, having the financial resources to do so and the luxury of prioritising the environment against other short term needs, the flip-side is that citizens of wealthy nations tend to consume more than their share of the world’s resources.
Nowhere is this paradox more evident than in Switzerland, which is home to more Porsches, Ferraris and general l
uxury than anywhere else in the world. Like anyone else, the Swiss have little hesitation in voting for environmentally friendly initiatives, and they are more than happy to comply with environmental regulations. However, the majority of people take limited personal responsibility beyond this, and make few personal compromises to manage environmental impacts. This dilemma for wealthy nations is likely to get worse as global population grows and resource consumption becomes an even more significant issue.
Over time, many behaviours - such as smoking in public spaces - have slowly become accepted as anti-social. We are some way from SUV driving being classed in the same category, but a few more muddy ski runs and a bit more public awareness might slowly bring this message across.
I run a website looking at what ski resorts are doing on climate change and follow media reporting on this issue around the world. Most laud the ‘green’ efforts of resorts like Aspen but fail to note that it is individual human activity such as your SUV drivers and how far we each travel (and how we travel) that are far greater contributers to melting ski slopes than where we actually stay for our week in the snow. So I was pleased to read your report.
Ski resorts must of course do all they can to minimise their impact but I’m concerned that many media reports are making those efforts the focus of reporting, making the resorts themselves scapegoats for climate change as if they are in some kind of suicide pact with nature, rather than focusing on what we should be doing as individuals, 365 days a year, to cut our own carbon footprints in our day to day lives. It’s that which is melting the snow far more than anything the ski resorts can do. Smart marketing by large corporations is also taking the pressure of us, making us think that by buying their products (often products we don’t actually need in the first place) we are doing our bit. This attitude is typified by your SUV drivers
Yes, I was at Lake Tahoe last year and saw an historic newspaper clipping advertising weekend, round trip Greyhound bus and train rides to the mountains for weekend ski trips. Actually, this is supposed to be one of the most breathtaking train rides in the United States. Hopefully more people will appreciate mass transit to the slopes.
Gavin is on to something there… Trains were a huge deal not too long before I came into existence, and even now, I know I thoroughly enjoy the train…
Or heck, how about pushing for electric vehicles all around… They are kind of a status symbol right now with how expensive they are.
I think the world of tomorrow won’t be anything like that of yesterday and we can see it now… but it will still be good if we all make it good.
I agree with the fact that our climit is changing, but I don’t see the proof as to why. How can one be sure it is not natural, for mother earth has gone through many changes over time. I just don’t see how we can blame humans. What is our proof. I am just interested.
Looks like it is time to get out there for a ski trip!