Switzerland: Balancing Economic Development and Environmental Protection

In the minds of many people, places with good natural environments are often poor and backward, but Switzerland has set a successful example of organically integrating economic development with environmental protection.

Switzerland covers an area equivalent to half of Chongqing, with a population of only 8 million. In the World Happiness Report released by the United Nations, Switzerland leads comprehensively in economic indicators, social equity, integrity, and healthcare, and has consistently ranked first among the countries with the highest happiness levels among global residents for many years.

When interviewed by reporters, many locals consider the beautiful natural ecology and clean living environment as an important source of happiness.

Switzerland is both one of the wealthiest countries in the world and one of the countries with the best ecological environment. According to regular assessments by Columbia University and Yale University on the environment, air pollution, water quality, biodiversity, natural resource management, and climate change in various countries, Switzerland ranks first in terms of air quality and other indicators.

Switzerland's achievements in environmental protection can be said to come first and foremost from its meticulous and strict legislation. In Switzerland, whoever cuts down a tree must plant another tree, and those who cut down indiscriminately are subject to legal sanctions. Whether in urban or rural areas, bare land is not allowed by law, and even construction sites must be temporarily covered with canvas to prevent dust from flying. Under strict centralized sewage treatment measures, 70% of natural lake water in Switzerland can still meet direct drinking standards.

In order to reduce pollution, all railways in Switzerland are electrified, and cities are vigorously developing trams and trolleybuses. In recent years, electric scooters have also been developed. Hotels, restaurants, office buildings, and private residences are not allowed to install air conditioning without special permission. It is recommended to use natural ventilation or electric fans. Last summer, Switzerland and many parts of the world experienced a rare sustained high temperature for over 150 years, causing the entire Swiss electric fan market to sell out. However, the installation and control of air conditioning were not an exception.

As the earliest country in Europe to use automobile exhaust purification devices, Switzerland implements strict automobile exhaust emission standards. Switzerland is also one of the countries in the world that has done the most effective and thorough garbage harmless treatment. Whether in urban or rural areas, there are various types of garbage bins available everywhere. It is required that garbage must be sorted and placed in plastic bags of uniform specifications, tied tightly, and then placed in different garbage bins. Switzerland's garbage classification is so meticulous that even colored glass bottles and white glass bottles need to be separated into boxes for disposal. In many states, residents are required to pay a garbage tax based on the amount of garbage discarded, but there is no need to pay for the disposal of recyclable garbage.

Switzerland is also a world leader in waste recycling and reuse. According to relevant figures, in Switzerland, 70% of waste paper, 95% of waste glass, 81% of plastic bottles, and 90% of aluminum cans can all be recycled. In most parts of Switzerland, food residues must be crushed before they can enter the sewer system, and garbage such as leaves and grass shavings are usually made into compost for use.

Meanwhile, in Switzerland, where there is no shortage of water, many buildings are equipped with dedicated rainwater circulation pipes to store rainwater and recycle it.

Another prominent highlight of Switzerland's environmental protection is education. In Switzerland, environmental education has deeply penetrated people's hearts. Most Swiss primary and secondary schools offer courses on 'People and Environment', and environmental education is also an important component of Swiss vocational education.

It is worth mentioning that at the coming of age ceremony for Swiss children, parents often give them a gift that includes an environmental handbook. Because not littering in public places, not trampling on grasslands, and not throwing debris into lakes or rivers have become basic social ethics that everyone in Switzerland needs to abide by.