germany - wrapping up glaciers is no solution to climate change
Climate change is already having a significant impact in the Alps, where the average temperature in the region has risen to nearly 2◦C over the past century. Glaciers have dramatically reduced in size and continue to melt. By 1980, they had been reduced to half their original size and since then another third of the ice mass has been lost. When I go hiking in the Alps, I now have to climb much higher in order to reach the foothills of the glaciers. Where they used to extend right down into the valleys, these days only debris and mud remain. Scientists predict that by 2100, the glaciers at the Zugspitze will have disappeared completely – and that, within 30 years, the snow line and the permafrost borderline will have moved 300 metres higher up the mountain
Climate change is already having a
significant impact in the Alps, where the average temperature in the
region has risen to nearly 2◦C over the past century. Glaciers have
dramatically reduced in size and continue to melt. By 1980, they had
been reduced to half their original size and since then another third
of the ice mass has been lost. When I go hiking in the Alps, I now have
to climb much higher in order to reach the foothills of the glaciers.
Where they used to extend right down into the valleys, these days only
debris and mud remain. Scientists predict that by 2100, the glaciers at
the Zugspitze will have disappeared completely – and that, within 30
years, the snow line and the permafrost borderline will have moved 300
metres higher up the mountain.
When I go hiking in the Alps, I now have to climb much higher in order to reach the foothills of the glaciers. Where they used to extend right down into the valleys, these days only debris and mud remain. Scientists predict that by 2100, the glaciers at the Zugspitze will have disappeared completely – and that, within 30 years, the snow line and the permafrost borderline will have moved 300 metres higher up the mountain.
Climate change is already having a significant impact in the Alps, where the average temperature in the region has risen to nearly 2◦C over the past century. Glaciers have dramatically reduced in size and continue to melt. By 1980, they had been reduced to half their original size and since then another third of the ice mass has been lost. When I go hiking in the Alps, I now have to climb much higher in order to reach the foothills of the glaciers. Where they used to extend right down into the valleys, these days only debris and mud remain. Scientists predict that by 2100, the glaciers at the Zugspitze will have disappeared completely – and that, within 30 years, the snow line and the permafrost borderline will have moved 300 metres higher up the mountain.
The thawing of the permafrost threatens some severe consequences. As the surface rocks loosen, this not only poses a very real danger to hikers and climbers at the rock face but also greatly increases the likelihood of avalanches which could destroy whole villages below.
The tourist industry is growing increasingly alarmed – and yet, in
my opinion, the measures they have so far taken against the impact of
climate change have been both costly and ineffective. At the glacier of
the Zugspitze, for example, huge plastic wraps have been brought out
onto the glacier to prevent it from melting. The wrap is supposed to
reflect the sun’s rays but weighs in at a prohibitive 64,000 Euro for
2,500 square metres. Other regions chose to invest in snow canons
which are equally costly. To cover one kilometre with artificial snow,
you need 630,000 Euro for the machines alone and then another 40,000
Euro per annum to let them run.
I believe that the local authorities would be better off changing the type of tourist activities they offer in the region. If you provide, for example, hiking, mountain biking, horse riding or pony and trap tours, you not only save a great deal of money but also protect the environment. In my opinion, there should be a climate and sustainability audit for all public investments. Rather than investing in snow canons, more funds should be made available for alternative activities. That way, you would also save energy – a significant climate protection measure in itself.
Richard Mergner, Director of Friends of the Earth Bavaria
