It's not always about meat consumption
The issue of climate change affects us in many different ways. Every day, we read about the consequences of climate change, and some people feel powerless when it comes to taking action. In fact, however, every person makes decisions in their everyday life that have a greater or lesser impact on the climate, depending on how they are made. If you want to make a difference, it is important to have contacts such as Dr Hans-Ulrich Albonico, who, in his ‘Langnau Climate Consultation Hour’, teaches interested parties how diverse the starting points can be and that it does not always have to be meat consumption.
Text: Franziska Iff
Did you know that by taking care of your health, you are also protecting the climate ? The healthcare sector has a significant carbon footprint due to its high consumption of resources. So by taking care of our health, we are also protecting the climate. The climate crisis and our health are closely linked. One person who is dedicated to this issue is Dr Hansueli Albonico, a committed member of Doctors for Environmental Protection.
The conversation with Dr Hansueli Albonico was not straightforward, as befits the subject matter, and showed how intertwined humans are with their surroundings and the environment. The discussion covered protective measures against flooding, meat consumption, biodiversity, consumer behaviour, the carbon footprint of the healthcare system, the prevention paradox, lack of reflection, good communication and much more. The motivation behind founding the monthly climate consultation hour* in Langnau was to bring existing knowledge to the end consumer, because Albonico is convinced that this is the only way we can bring about change in Switzerland.
Dr Hansueli Albonico therefore takes a personal approach to evaluating individual strategies with interested parties. He points out that this does not reach the masses, but it is helpful to harness the desire for change among those who are willing to make profitable sacrifices by rethinking their consumption habits and thereby reducing CO2 emissions. At the same time, it also helps him to find answers to his own questions and to creatively counteract the widespread resignation on the issue of climate change.
His commitment is being recognised, as shown by various newspaper articles and the upcoming award of the SNE Promotion Prize 2025, and the climate needs all the support it can get. You can help too!
* On the first Friday of every month, climate consultation hours supported by the municipality take place from 4 to 8 p.m. in the old BZ building in Langnau. Registrations are welcome on 034 402 14 19.