The scandal surrounding prohibited treatments for Nestlé mineral water has spread to Switzerland, with the revelation that the Henniez brand also used unauthorized depollution processes. Nestlé Waters acknowledged that it had resorted to illegal practices, including the use of activated carbon filters, which were discontinued at the end of 2022 under the supervision of the Swiss cantonal and federal authorities. The case, which has already affected the French brands Perrier, Contrex and Vittel, raises the question of consumer deception, since the waters claim to be mineral, i.e. without treatment or additives, in line with Swiss requirements. An investigation in France revealed that bottled water from many brands had been secretly purified illegally. The French Public Prosecutor’s Office has opened a deception investigation against Nestlé Waters, seeking to determine whether the description “natural mineral water” is misleading, given the ban on disinfection devices for this category of water.

A recent study reveals that global warming has already exceeded 1.5°C and could exceed 2°C this decade, suggesting that climate change is advancing faster than previously thought. Based on the analysis of marine sponge skeletons, which provide a 300-year temperature record, this research shows that warming began earlier than estimated by the IPCC, with an average warming of at least 1.7°C since pre-industrial times. Published in Nature Climate Change, the study questions the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting warming to 1.5°C, underlining the heightened urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to avoid even more severe climate consequences.

The Oslo District Court in Norway has made a landmark decision in the fight against climate change, requiring energy companies to consider the industry’s total carbon footprint when awarding oil and gas licenses. The decision, which invalidated three licenses held by companies such as Equinor and Aker BP for failing to take downstream emissions into account, represents a major victory for environmental campaigners. It highlights companies’ responsibility for the emissions resulting from the combustion of their products. The need to include downstream emissions in environmental impact assessments (EIAs) could radically change the way licenses are granted, not only in Norway but potentially worldwide, forcing governments and industries to reconsider the climate impact of fossil fuel production. This decision could inspire similar legal challenges in other countries, underlining the urgency of aligning the exploitation of fossil resources with global climate objectives.

A groundbreaking UN report, examined by the Guardian, predicts a 60% increase in global extraction of raw materials by 2060, with serious repercussions for the climate and environment, exacerbated by industrialization, urbanization and population growth. Pointing out that such extraction is already a major cause of global warming, air pollution, water stress and biodiversity loss, the report stresses the need to reduce overall demand for resources rather than focusing solely on increasing green production. It suggests measures such as teleworking, improved local services and low-carbon transport options as alternatives for meeting mobility needs while minimizing environmental impact. By focusing on “systemic resource efficiency”, the report aims to promote equity and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, marking a holistic approach to tackling the climate crisis, biodiversity loss and pollution by reducing resource consumption.

After four years of destruction in the Brazilian Amazon, deforestation fell by 33.6% in the first six months of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s term of office, according to new government satellite data. After three weeks of intense debate on seabed mining within the International Seabed Authority (ISA), no green light was finally given to the industry. However, there was no discussion of a moratorium on mining either.

Skin cancer is on the rise, and in many countries is the most common form of cancer. While protection against the harmful effects of UV rays has become a priority for health-conscious consumers, experts differ on the necessity and consequences of regular sunscreen use. Those who advise daily application do not systematically mention the risks associated with the penetration of sunscreens beyond the skin, or the environmental fallout.

Adopting a less meaty diet is within everyone’s reach, even low-meat diets have only about 70% of the impact of high-meat diets on most environmental measures, according to a recent study of over 55,000 people. You don’t have to become vegan or even vegetarian to make a big difference.

It’s an ecological nonsense: trains emit much less CO2 than planes, but they’re more expensive than planes most of the time. Greenpeace has published a report comparing ticket prices for the two modes of transport on 112 routes in 27 European countries, including Switzerland, and at nine different booking periods. In 70% of cases, flights are cheaper than train journeys.

On June 19, the 193 UN member states adopted a major agreement on marine biodiversity, bringing to an end almost two decades of intense negotiations. It aims to protect the ocean beyond national borders, covering two-thirds of its surface. It offers enhanced protection, combats pollution, encourages responsible management of marine resources, addresses the challenges of climate change and contributes to the achievement of sustainable development goals.

The dimension of humanity’s influence on the planet has become increasingly apparent in recent years. From the alarming accumulation of plastic waste in our oceans to the expansion of urban areas, the scale of our impact is undeniable. The concept of the technosphere encompasses the vast global production of materials generated by human activities and the associated consumption of energy.