Swiss climate scientists are sounding the alarm over the severe effects of global warming on the alpine environment.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/ug
The slopes in the Alps and elsewhere have become increasingly unstable as the permafrost soil keeps getting warmer, says Konrad Steffen, director of the Federal Institute for Forest and Landscape Research.
The climate crisis has been a focal point for the United Nations this week and for Swiss parliament which is mulling introduction of a tax on airline tickets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The thawing of the polar caps sets free reserves of carbon stored in the ice for thousands of years, according to Steffen, who was quoted on Wednesday in a statement of the Swiss Academy of SciencesExternal link.
Steffen is one of the more than 100 researchers from nearly 40 different countries contributing to the latest report of the Nobel Prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
“We can preserve the essential parts of the iconic high mountain regions by a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions,” added Carolina Adler of the Swiss-based research network, Mountain Research InitiativeExternal link.
In the report, published on Wednesday, the IPCC says the sea levels will rise by up to 0.84 centimetres at the end of this century, likely making some island nations uninhabitable due to global warming.
Carbon tax
Meanwhile, the Swiss Senate has decided in principle to impose a tax of CHF30 to CHF120 ($30-$120) on airline tickets to curb air traffic.
Senators also came out in favour of increasing a tax on fuel imports to 12 centimes maximum per litre by 2025 – a six-fold increase on the current import tax.
The decisions came despite warnings by representatives of the mountain regions.
The other parliamentary chamber, the House of Representatives has yet to tackle the revision of the carbon law. The House threw out the government bill in a first reading last December.
The Swiss government pledged to beef up its Paris Agreement pledges and become climate-neutral by 2050, saying that the target is feasible by using already available technologies and renewable energy.
More
More
Snapshots of a changing alpine climate
This content was published on
Retreating glaciers leave behind polished stone, waterfalls and small lakes of exquisite beauty. Unterfinger’s striking images tell a story of climate change that began with the last ice age and continues – at a more rapid pace – today. Swiss researchers at the federal technology institute, ETH Zurich, say that warmer winters leading to more…
What can be done to protect biodiversity in your country?
Swiss voters are set to decide on a people’s initiative calling for better protection of ecosystems in the country. Have your say on the September 22 vote.
Swiss investigate four people linked to Russian oligarch
This content was published on
The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland is investigating four individuals linked to Russian oligarch Suleyman Kerimov.
Swiss government scrambles to deal with egg shortage
This content was published on
From September 1, more eggs intended for consumption may be imported into Switzerland. In allowing this, the government wants to secure the supply of eggs for consumers.
This content was published on
Agricultural research sees new development opportunities for Swiss sparkling wines in the face of declining wine consumption. In a survey, half of consumers expressed a willingness to pay more for local products than for foreign ones.
Locarno spotlights filmmakers from South America and Caribbean
This content was published on
The Open Doors section of the Locarno Film Festival has named the winners for 2024. The spotlight is on the South American and Caribbean regions.
Storm paralyses trains to popular Swiss tourist resort
This content was published on
The railway line between Zweilütschinen and Grindelwald in central Switzerland is expected to remain closed until Friday following heavy rains.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss scientists and virtual reality focus on shrinking glaciers
This content was published on
As climate researchers predict virtually ice-free Alps by 2100, a virtual reality exhibition helps people envision what that means.
Largest Alpine glacier could lose half of volume by century’s end
This content was published on
Swiss researchers have used 3D modelling to calculate how severely global warming is impacting ice cover on the Aletsch Glacier.
This content was published on
On average, Switzerland is about 1.9° Celsius hotter now than in 1864. Where and by how much have temperatures most drastically changed?
Climate warming is global and fast, say Swiss experts
This content was published on
Swiss scientists have discounted allegations that the current climate change is a recurring phenomenon in the history of mankind.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.