Study: Climate change threatens the future of Europe’s ski resorts
Climate change threatens the future of many ski resorts in Europe. According to a new study, artificial snow is no longer sufficient to offset snow loss.
About half of all ski destinations in Europe are at risk of snow shortages if global warming increases average temperatures by 2 degrees Celsius, said the researchers behind the study, which was published in the journal Nature Climate Change.
Ski destinations in the Alps will be hit the hardest by climate change, the study predicts.
If world temperatures increase by 3 degrees this century, 91 percent of European ski centers risk having too little snow for winter sports. But if global warming reaches 4 degrees, almost all ski destinations on the continent are at risk of snow shortages, according to researchers.
Europe is one of the world’s largest ski destinations, and around half of the world’s ski resorts are located here. The study looked at 2,234 ski destinations in 28 European countries.
If the world succeeds in limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees – a goal outlined in the Paris Agreement – only 32 percent of mountain resorts will be at high risk of snow shortages, according to the study. This proportion can be reduced to between 14 and 26 percent with the help of artificial snow production.
(NTB)
“Hardcore zombie fan. Incurable internet advocate. Subtly charming problem solver. Freelance twitter ninja.”
