Because of the climate book: accusations of double standards against SP-Nordmann

class=”sc-29f61514-0 icZBHN”>

Heat waves, droughts, floods – climate change worries us more than ever. The national councilor of the Vaudois SP, Roger Nordmann (50), recently published a book on this subject: “Urgence: Énergie et Climat”, published by Favre publishing house in Lausanne (German edition: “Climate protection and energy security”).

Now dpsuisse, the umbrella organization of the Swiss graphics industry, has focused on the book. In an open letter to Nordmann published on Wednesday, the association accuses the author of double standards. The reason: Nordmann’s book was produced in neighboring countries – and not in Switzerland. dpsuisse rejects the approach as unacceptable.

A book that addresses the climate crisis must also be a physical example of sustainability and transparency, the letter continues. “When it comes to this subject, an author should not care where the book is printed. I lack tact. Because there are enough printers that could produce the book in Switzerland,” Beat Kneubühler (50), director of dpsuisse, told Blick.

1000 Swiss companies

The publishing and graphics industry in Switzerland is sustainable and innovative, assures Kneubühler. More than 1,000 companies and several thousand employees are ready to execute such an order locally. It is therefore not necessary to have a book on the subject of climate emergency produced abroad.

Nordmann’s publisher sees one thing in particular in the letter: unnecessary arguments. He writes to Blick: “We are an independent publisher and publish about 50 books a year.” Some books would – if possible – be made in Switzerland. Others, as with all Swiss publishers, produced abroad. Adds: “We offered Mr. Nordmann’s book for 26.50 francs. If we had printed it in Switzerland, it would have been 10 to 20 francs more expensive.”

Nordmann does not want to participate in the discussion

The Vaud Council of States itself takes the letter and the accusations calmly. He says: “As an author, I simply sign a contract with a publisher. He is then responsible for printing and distribution.” Nordmann explains that he does not want to participate in this dispute, but finds it a bit bizarre when the Swiss Printers’ Association attacks a Swiss publishing house and essentially shoots itself in the foot.

He adds: “The book market in French-speaking Switzerland is considerably smaller than in German-speaking Switzerland. As an author, I am happy that there are still publishers in French-speaking Switzerland with whom I can publish.”

Dpsuisse calls for climate compensation

It is not enough to hand over the production order to a publishing house and then stop worrying about the ecological aspects and transparency of the project, dpsuisse shoots back. And the letter also calls for concrete measures.

We therefore call on National Councilor Nordmann and the Favre publishing house to fulfill this responsibility. “For example, it would be desirable for Myclimate to receive climate compensation later and for a possible second edition of the book to be printed in Switzerland,” says Kneubühler.

Source:Blick