Anja Tester, mother of three, project and program manager and sustainability enthusiast, participated in the GoSimple Program run by the association GreenUp from February to June 2025 (1st from left in the photo). GreenUp is a non-profit organisation which has its roots in the city and canton of Basel and works across Switzerland to inspire people to act for sustainability and adopt a resource-light lifestyle at home and at work. The Go Simple Program is its flagship offering for individuals and households showcasing this simpler life through workshops and talks.  As part of the program Anja was able to join a GoSimple Sustainable City Tour. This is the impact it had on her:

I must admit that, to begin with, I was sceptical about the idea of a Sustainable City Tour as part of the GoSimple Program. When I looked at the list of shops I thought: I know these shops, I know where they are, What am I going to learn here that I don’t already know?

Well, I couldn’t have been more wrong. The tour challenged my own choices and behaviours. It was a true mindset shift moment for me that will stick. How so?

I consider myself a climate forward person that is aware about the challenges our world faces and that actively seeks out information, sustainable options and alternatives. I sometimes ask myself what else I could be doing when I am already skipping meat, cycle to most places and try more and more to avoid packaging? 

The tour revealed that in many ways I am still stuck in my comfort zone of what I have always been doing, of “what I know” and what is convenient. 

As part of the Go Simple Sustainable City Tour, we visited several shops in Basel, learned about their concepts; why and how they work for a more sustainable world. We learned about how ‘Re-Work’ uses fabrics destined for landfill to turn them into new clothes. We learned how Swiss brand “Erfolg” prioritises using local materials and production and we heard more about organic farming and fair trade at “Sahara”. While standing in these shops, I thought about my most recent shopping behaviours. I had just updated my wardrobe by buying at H&M. The lure of their promise to recycle my old fabrics AND the discount voucher I received were stronger than my convictions. I prioritised buying cheaply and conveniently.

This realisation hit me hard.

By buying high street…

By buying new instead of second hand…

By buying cheaply…

By buying “Made on the other side of the world” …

…wasn’t I perpetuating the system that I want to change? 

…couldn’t my own choices be more supportive of the good business practices such as circularity and reusing that I have learned about and that I favour?

The Sustainable City Tour revealed opportunities for how and where I can use my power as a consumer and as an individual to make an impact.

It turns out that Basel with its many second hand and circular economy stores, flea markets and repair cafes offers a wide range of opportunities to do things differently. The GoSimple Sustainable City Tour makes it easy, on top of being a very pleasant walk in the very picturesque city centre of Basel. I highly recommend this tour if – like me – you are looking to strengthen your own power as an individual in order to tackle climate change, lead a more sustainable life in alignment with your values. 

If you would enjoy experiencing the tour as part of a community of like minded people like Anja did, join us for our next Go Simple Program (in German) starting in September 2025. Benefit now from the Early Bird price!

If you prefer to explore in your own time, the brand new GoSimple Sustainable City Tour available in the Actionbound-App is just right for you. Simply download the app, search GoSimple Sustainable City Tour and start exploring.

With spring just around the corner and the ski season slowly drawing to a close, we gathered a group of passionate snow lovers in Davos to watch “The Meaningless Pursuit of Snow” – a Patagonia film that explores the connection between adventure, nature and community, followed by a discussion about snow, climate and (local) sustainability actions. 

Is the pursuit of snow truly meaningless and what role can one play in protecting our playgrounds?

A Night of Reflection in Davos

For one week each year, the village of Davos in the Swiss Grisons becomes the focal point of global attention during the World Economic Forum. Beyond that, it is a hub for winter sports enthusiasts and a site where climate realities are increasingly evident. Through its Climate Hub and Greenshare projects, Green Up brings nature and climate to the forefront, ensuring that sustainability remains part of the conversation—not just during WEF week, but all year round.

The Harsh Reality of Snow Scarcity

Winter sports have become highly vulnerable to snow scarcity, which is increasing due to climate change.  According to the latest information sheet on winter climate scenarios for Switzerland until 2050, winter temperatures have risen by approximately 2.4°C since 1864, as a result of human-driven climate change. By 2050, another 1°C rise is expected, with significant variations depending on climate action and natural fluctuations. 

This warming trend means more precipitation will fall as rain rather than snow, reducing the number of fresh snowfall days and thinning the snowpack. The statistics paint a stark picture:

• Snow cover has declined by 40% at altitudes of 1000–1500 meters, 33% at 2000 meters, and 17% at 2500 meters since 1961. 
• 54% of ski slopes in Switzerland were technically (artificially) snow-covered in 2023. 
• While snowmaking is the current stopgap solution, it will become increasingly energy-and water-intensive, given the predicted rise in temperatures.

In a nutshell, skiing as we’ve done until now is not sustainable in the long term. So what can we do ? 

Beyond the Slopes: Rethinking Our Approach to Winter Sports

Patagonia’s “The Meaningless Pursuit of Snow” follows five backcountry skiers across Japan, Europe and the US. United by their love of the mountains, they find joy in the struggle, a deep connection to nature, and a sense of belonging through their shared experiences. 

Could backcountry skiing be part of a more sustainable future for winter sports? Our audience in Davos seemed to think so. While backcountry skiing requires fewer artificial resources than downhill skiing, it alone is not the solution. It must be combined with broader sustainability efforts at both individual and resort levels.

 Some simple yet impactful actions include: 

• travelling by public transport rather than with individual vehicles, 
• repairing and re-using equipment instead of buying new gear each season.
• supporting ski resorts that embrace sustainable energy solutions and diversify their activities to adapt to climate change.

“I found that people who love the same thing really make a difference” said Vicki Fleckenstein Woodworth in the movie. Encouragingly, Swiss ski resorts are already expanding their winter offerings beyond traditional skiing—promoting winter hiking, backcountry skiing, and other lower-impact activities. Meanwhile, initiatives like Snowstainability, founded in 2022 by Swiss-Ski and energy company BKW, are actively working to make winter sports more sustainable through innovations in energy and infrastructure.

Local Actions for a Global Challenge

The discussion in Davos didn’t just focus on the big picture—it also sparked tangible ideas for local action. Some of the suggestions included:

• Strengthening support for public transportation to and within the region.
• Encouraging and educating young people on responsible backcountry skiing.
• Developing more community-driven sustainability initiatives, such as repair cafés and urban gardening projects.

An Inspiring Evening of Connection and Commitment

The evening in Davos was more than just a film screening; it was a celebration of community, shared experiences, and a collective commitment to protecting the places we love. Over drinks and focaccia rolls, snow lovers exchanged stories, ideas, and motivation to take action.

As Melissa Gil beautifully put it: “There is something magical about the white blanket.” Let’s ensure that magic endures for future generations.

Sources and resources:

https://www.patagonia.com/stories/the-meaningless-pursuit-of-snow/video-144108.html

https://www.seilbahnen.org/news/wissenschaftliche-grundlagen-zum-klimawandel-wintertourismus

https://fr.statista.com/infographie/29060/part-des-pistes-stations-de-ski-ayant-recours-canons-neige-artificielle-par-pays-alpes/

https://www.snowstainability.ch/fr/initiative/snow-sustainability/