Swiss Greens Launch 'Heat Campaign' to Re-ignite Climate Debate

Switzerland's Green Party is launching a high-profile "heat campaign" designed to mirror the government's public health messaging during the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign, featuring posters with advice like "drink water regularly" and "ventilate during cooler hours," aims to draw attention to the dangers of heatwaves and pressure federal and cantonal authorities to take more decisive action on the climate crisis.

Party president Lisa Mazzone stated that the resemblance to official government campaigns is intentional. "We expect the federal government and cantons to finally treat the climate crisis as a crisis and take measures to protect people at work, on the street, or at home from the heat," Mazzone said. The party is investing a five-figure sum in the week-long campaign, which will feature posters at major train stations across the country.

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The similarity to the federal government's official Corona campaign is intentional.

The timing of the campaign, during the summer holidays and with no immediate elections or referendums, suggests a strategic effort by the Greens to re-center climate change on the political agenda. The party's electoral success is strongly linked to public discourse on environmental issues; when climate change is a prominent topic, the Greens tend to gain support.

Currently, the party faces challenges as public attention seems to have shifted away from climate concerns, despite Switzerland experiencing its second major heatwave this year. While farmers desperately need rain and communities face restrictions on water usage, media coverage often focuses on the hot weather itself rather than the underlying climate crisis. The campaign seeks to counter this trend and remind the public and policymakers of the urgency of environmental action.

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We expect the federal government and cantons to finally treat the climate crisis as a crisis and take measures to protect people at work, on the street, or at home from the heat.