«Climate demos have sensitised politicians to green issues»
Bernard van Dierendonck has been committed to climate protection for decades. The Protect-our-Winters ambassador talks about sustainable living, the three biggest climate sins committed by Swiss families and what the 5R principle is all about.
Mr van Dierendonck, have you made a resolution for the new year?
I never do that. I prefer to try and optimise things on an ongoing basis. I'm currently taking part in Veganuary and trying to eat as vegan as possible this January.
Are your wife and teenagers also involved?
No, I do that for myself. We handle it in a relaxed and self-determined way.
What does sustainable living mean to you?
It means living in a way that is fit for our grandchildren. Our behaviour should not have a negative impact on future generations. Anything else is simply not fair - to our children and to this wonderful planet Earth. That's why climate protection is my top priority.
After all, this is something that concerns us all.
Absolutely. It's the biggest and most pressing issue of our time. That's why I take to the streets for the climate demonstrations. Would you like to hear an episode?
Tell us.
A radio presenter asked me at a climate demonstration what I was doing specifically for the climate. I replied: I'm here and I'm demonstrating. Political and social commitment is absolutely central for me.
What do you mean?
The climate demonstrations have sensitised politicians across all parties to green issues. Thanks to this mobilisation, the Swiss parliament has become greener and, for example, the counter-proposal to the glacier initiative was adopted.
Electric cars consume three times less energy. And what about car sharing? That really changes a lot.
The demos provide the backing for many decisions and technical innovations. Direct democracy in Switzerland gives us another great opportunity to get involved as citizens.
What do you think are the three biggest climate sins committed by Swiss families?
Firstly, not going to vote. Secondly, fly around too much. The Swiss are the absolute leaders in Europe in this respect. In this country, paraffin consumption is responsible for 25 per cent of CO2 emissions from the combustion of fuels. I'm not saying we should stop flying altogether, but please fly much less and more consciously.
And thirdly?
Transport is the biggest source of CO2 emissions in Switzerland. We have an incredibly good public transport system here. If a family still needs a car, then at least an electric one. These consume three times less energy than combustion engines and have a significantly lower impact on the climate. And what about car sharing? I think that's great. Together with neighbours, I initiated an e-mobility and sharing project in the Riedtli housing estate in Zurich.
What is the short version of this?
After much toing and froing, our large residential car park was fitted with charging stations for e-bikes and cars. Two private sharing Teslas (one of which I bought - my first car!), four electric cars from two car-sharing companies and three electric cargo bikes are now available for hire. It's going really well and is a great pilot project for other urban car sharing projects.
You live according to the 5R principle wherever possible. Can you briefly explain this?
5R stands for refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle and rot (compost). The questions are: Do I really need this? Do I need that much? Does it already exist? What else can this raw material be used for and can this waste end up in the garden compost or in the green waste bin?
Do you have any specific examples?
For example, you can refuse plastic-wrapped advertising mail. Simply cross out the address and write refusée on it. Then you have peace of mind. I also refuse «giveaways» that are held out to me at the station or in the shop.
Do I really need that? I like the sentences: What I have is good. It's enough for me.
You can reduce your meat consumption. Does it really have to be daily or is one piece of meat at the weekend or once a month enough? Not everyone has to become vegetarian or vegan. But eating significantly less meat helps people, animals and our environment enormously.
And reuse?
Can you mend broken shoes or clothes instead of throwing them away, buy second-hand or swap them?
How to protect the environment and your wallet:
- Use natural soap instead of shower gel in plastic containers.
- Usewashing strips or a washing egg .
- Take a used pillowcase with you when you go shopping and use it to wrap bread, for example.
- Always boil water with a lid or in a kettle. Both are much quicker and use less energy.
- Swap clothes with neighbours or friends.
Sustainable living starts in the mind. Is there something like a core principle that you follow?
Most likely: Do I really need this? I like the word frugal. And also the effect of sentences like: What I have is good. It's enough for me.
So away from the western-style «bigger, better, faster, more»?
Absolutely. We can no longer afford this greed. And let this sentence really melt in your mouth: «What I have is good and enough.» It also nourishes the soul.
Protect Our Winters Switzerland (POW)
is the voice of the outdoor community for climate protection. The NGO is a community of outdoor enthusiasts, athletes, scientists, creatives and committed companies who are working on solutions to bring about change in society, the economy and politics.
Well-known representatives include ski racers Michelle Gysin and Daniel Yule, as well as companies such as Mammut and Transa and winter sports destinations such as Andermatt.
Bernard van Dierendonck will soon be documenting a POW ski tour with parliamentarians in Valais as a photographer. It's great that politicians from across the political spectrum are taking part in this event - they understand that climate protection concerns us all! Climate protection concerns us all!
www.protectourwinters.ch
