Greenpeace activists gathered yesterday to celebrate and party in the lovely warm weather we are currently experiencing in Switzerland. As temperatures rise, the days of above average temperatures are increasing and we are feeling the effects of climate change more than ever.

To demonstrate this, Greenpeace activists played Volleyball in city centre of Winterthur, a town located 30km north east of Zurich with a population of 150’000. 20 years ago, a cold wind would have blown through the snowy streets of the town at this time of year.

During the sporting action, which attracted many shoppers and pedestrians to stop and watch the game, activists handed out flyers pointing out the effects global warming has had on us so far:

CLIMATE CHANGE – REALLY COOL?

The record temperatures in recent years (the 10 hottest years since temperatures have regularly been recorded) are showing fatal effects:

Global warming is causing the sea level to rise. For every meter, 8 million people are forced to flee their homes. Tidal waves, avalanches of mud and rock fall are increasing.

Rising temperatures not only turn wetlands into desert, but also create floods. The results: Bush and forest fires, land turning into steppe, famine and insect plagues.

Health related problems such as skin cancer, epidemics and lung/breathing difficulties are on the rise.

The effects are also local:

- The alpine glaciers are melting away
- Alpine sports are becoming increasingly difficult to undertake below 1200meters above sea level
- The thawing permafrost is the main factor for an increase of mudflow and avalanches of stones.

A change of mind is what’s needed: The greatest contributor to climatic change is the use of oil, coal and gas for energy. The use of these energies omits dramatic amounts CO2, the main greenhouse gas responsible for the warming of the globe. By quickly and drastically reducing the amounts of greenhouse gas emissions, we can also help to prolong the process of climatic change.

This is what you can do:
Buy your groceries in season from local, biological producers to avoid unnecessary transportation.

Reduce the temperature you heat your house. Air the house intensively a couple of times a day rather than leaving the window open constantly.

Avoid using your car. A third of the CO2 emissions produced in Switzerland stems from motor vehicles.

Avoid flying, especially short distances. Journeys within Europe can be comfortably undertaken by train.

Links: www.greenpeace.ch/de/klima, www.topten.ch, www.umverkehr.ch/dossier/UebersichtKlima.php,
www.wwf.ch

Note: Unfortunately IMC Switzerland is down which is why we are posting this here.
In solidarity with Tuvalu, Nikumaroro and Kiribati