I have been living in Crans-Montana, Switzerland for the past three and a half years while attending university.  While eating my fair share of raclette (cheese covered potatoes), fondue (melted cheese), and frankly more cheese, I have pondered how the Swiss manage to be so sustainable.  While in many ways Switzerland is known for its sustainability and its environmental regulations such as trash bag tax (Swiss Info); that is not so apparent in Valais. 

Valais, unlike most Swiss cantons, does not have many environmental regulations.  This makes Valais stand out against the other Swiss cities like Bern or Zurich. For example, within article 6 of the Zurich constitution states the need to be sustainable, environmentally, socially and economically; through these regulations it has even been named most sustainable city by Lonely Planet in 2016.  Valais on the other hand, has just a few sustainable developments like Grande Dixence, a hydroelectric dam, and focuses most of its sustainability on large projects and not as much individually which can be seen through their 16 actions for sustainability where only one measure engages the population through regulation (Valais Sustainability).   However, the green and eco-friendly mindset in the Valais allow them to be sustainable merely through their culture and less through their regulations.
 
This cultural sustainability can be seen through the love of local products.  Buying local is first and foremost in Valasian’s lives.  On the mountains vineyards stretch from top to bottom, making for gorgeous landscape photos in the summer and delightfully succulent grapes in the fall.  Many locals are farmers that produce grapes for local wines, raise cows for the assiette valaisian, and even produce some sweets which are sold at the local fairs and festivals.

In a restaurant, it’s unheard of ordering a wine from the Napa Valley or from Chile.  Rather you’ll order a white or red wine made right in your back yard.  In Sierre , Valais, there is even a local wine festival called VINEA that showcases wonderful Swiss wines. Even the food you eat is mainly locally produced.  Many restaurants pride themselves on noting that the meat that they use in their products comes from the Valais or at least from Switzerland.  This thinking supports the local farmers, protects the environment, and increases your health because everything is fresh and doesn’t need to travel long distances.