Climate change threatens our mountains: winter sports in danger!

Climate change threatens our mountains: winter sports in danger!

Köln, Deutschland - An expert forum with 14 climate and sports research institutions from Germany, Austria and Switzerland has published a position paper on winter and mountain sports in the context of climate change. According to the German Sport University of Cologne, the document, which is an updated version of the previous version of 2022, is now being expanded to include mountain sports in summer. Prof. Dr. Ralf Roth, who heads the forum, emphasizes that global warming has caused an average increase of 2.5 ° C in Germany and even 3.1 ° C in Austria in recent decades. Experts predict that the annual middle temperature in the D-A CH area could increase by a further 2 ° C by the end of the century, which will have serious consequences for winter sports, especially in the depths and medium-sized locations below 1,500 meters.

The position paper explains that the meteorological conditions for technical snow production change drastically. A decline in the natural snow cover and shorter snowmaking times have already been recorded, which results in higher water and energy requirements. However, these are not the only challenges. The climate change scenarios show an increase in the winted settings in the Alpine region, while in deeper regions there is a risk of a decline in snowfall. In summer, more intensive dryness episodes and small -scale heavy ranges can be expected, which favor MURE outputs and slope slips.

effects on the alpine infrastructure

In addition, the alpine infrastructure is significantly stressed by climate change. The German Alpine Association (DAV) reports that water shortages and heavily rain -related damage to huts and paths have become reality. For example, the increased Murent activity requires higher maintenance. Shear areas such as the suspension bridge between the Langtalereckhütte and the Ramolhaus are demonstrable consequences of the glacier decline, which has led to a withdrawal of glaciers around 500 meters since 1990. The Langtalferner has melted by 130 meters in the past ten years.

These changes require extensive measures. Among other things, the DAV is actively against the problems with the introduction of water savings tap in huts and an early closure of the new Prague hut due to water shortages. In addition to the more environmentally friendly energy supply, the range of food is also adapted to the climatic challenges.

glacier melt and its global consequences

The melting of the glacier is another central problem. Statistics show that around 273 billion tons of ice has been lost every year since 2000, which has contributed to an increase in sea level of around 18 mm. Over 275,000 glaciers worldwide are threatened by the negative consequences of climate change. In the Alps, a large part of the glacier area could have disappeared by the middle of the century, according to estimates, at least two thirds of the alpine glaciers will be lost, even under optimistic scenarios.

The glaciers are not only crucial water reservoirs, they also reflect solar radiation and cool our climate. Over 3 billion people worldwide rely on the melting water of mountain glaciers. The loss of these ice masses can have far -reaching negative effects on the ecosystem and water supply in many regions.

A clear manner of action of the current scenarios is: responsibility for future generations in the field of sport and tourism is high. Therefore, both DSHS and DAS experts ask all actors in the industry to take immediate measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to climate impacts. This is the only way to protect nature and the associated economy.

In 2025, the International Year of Glacier Protection was also proclaimed, with hope for more investments in glacier monitoring in order to better assess the dramatic decline in glaciers. Increased surveillance is essential because it lacks precise measurement data in many regions.

In the long term, all actors involved must continuously develop adaptable strategies in order to meet the enormous challenges that climate change in winter and mountain sports as well as the alpine nature.