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Mar 15, 2008

Energy-efficient houses made from timber sourced from the Alpine region

Teaser

Do you actually know how much money your house is losing you by using energy inefficiently? Why not save it instead - and treat yourself to a comfortable, healthy living environment into the bargain, with plenty of sunlight within your own four walls. This Dossier is designed to help you do just that. It contains information on energy-efficient, resource-friendly construction and renovation methods and provides suggestions and advice on the use of locally sourced timber as a building material and fuel type. Besides a background report you will also find instances of good practice well worth emulating, cross-links to the relevant literature and events, and also information on the latest developments in the area of sustainable building in the Alpine region. The Dossier is the result of a project carried out in 2004 by CIPRA, the International Commission for the Protection of the Alps, on behalf of the Principality of Liechtenstein. Additional relevant material on the issue can be found in other language versions of this page.

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Mar 15, 2008

Artificial snow installations in the Alpine region

Teaser

More and more ski runs in the Alps are equipped with installations for producing artificial snow. The topic itself is a controversial one in environmental and tourism circles. The background report contains facts on both the ecological and the economical aspects of artificial snow installations. The introduction looks at the early years of artificial snow-making equipment and the way in which it has developed; it is followed by an explanation of how the system works and the resources used by snow guns; a description of the situation in the Alps today; a review of the costs involved; and a discussion of the impact of artificial snow installations on the environment. The background report is rounded off by a chapter on climate change and the prospects for winter tourism. Additional relevant material on the issue can be found in other language versions of this page.

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Mar 15, 2008

The issue of water in the Lake Geneva region

Teaser

After a general introduction on Lake Geneva itself, this background report describes the socio-economic and natural environment of the lake as well as its general "state of health". It then highlights specific topics such as waste water treatment and the water pollution caused by agriculture. The final chapter is dedicated to what the general public can and must do. Keeping the lake water clean and healthy is possible only through the joint management of the cross-border waterways - both on the surface and underground - which flow into the lake. Besides international co-operation, there also needs to be political and economic co-operation and co-operation between industry and agriculture, between the public sectors and private individuals if the problems of pollution are to be resolved at source. Finally, an appeal is made to the public to address the water issue and help preserve this shared resource. Additional relevant material on the issue can be found in other language versions of this page.

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Ecological networks in the Alpine region

Teaser

In nature and species conservation a paradigm shift has started in the last few years: static nature protection in isolated protected areas is not sufficient for conserving biodiversity, but approaches are needed that take the dynamic of nature and land use change into account. This change of attitudes contributed to the establishment of the model of a functioning ecological network in the Alps, which can contribute to conserve the extraordinary rich Alpine diversity. The background report provides summary information on key instruments such as conventions, legislation, regulations and programmes relating to ecological networks at national and global level. Particular attention has been paid to information from the Alpine region. The Report also explains why ecological networks are important and how they work. Examples of international, alpine-wide, national and regional projects illustrate what different stakeholders are doing to improve the network situation. Further information on the subject in various languages can be found on www.alpine-ecological-network.org under the headings: News, Events, Information services - Publications and Links

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