Will European ski resorts have no snow to slide on? A large amount of artificial snow production may lead to a vicious cycle in the European skiing industry
On August 28th local time in Europe, French researchers published a study in the academic journal Nature Climate Change. After comparing and analyzing more than 2200 ski resorts in 28 European countries and regions, it was found that at the current rate of greenhouse gas emissions, more than half of the ski resorts in Europe may have "no snow to slide".
This study was jointly conducted by several researchers from the French National Academy of Agricultural Sciences. The research assumes that the global average temperature has increased by 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre industrial levels, making one-third of the 2234 ski resorts on the European continent highly susceptible to insufficient snow cover. If the global average temperature is 2 degrees Celsius higher than pre industrial levels, which is the goal set by the Paris Agreement, then 53% of European ski resorts will face severe snow shortage, and if the temperature rises by more than 4 degrees Celsius, 98% of European ski resorts will face severe snow shortage.
Samuel Sommert, a researcher at the French National Meteorological Research Center, said that all ski resorts will face the impact of worsening snowfall. Therefore, when considering the development strategies of these resorts, it is necessary to approach them from the perspective of adapting to climate change.
In fact, in recent years, multiple ski resorts in Europe have been affected by climate change. It is becoming increasingly common in Europe to pave race tracks with artificial snow on slopes without snow cover. This study, for the first time, takes into account the cost of energy and water used to produce artificial snow, as well as the carbon footprint. The study shows that even in places where the cost of artificial snow is low enough to sustain the operation and profitability of ski resorts, it will still exacerbate global warming due to its increased energy demand, leading to a vicious cycle. Research has shown that if all snow fields in the European Alps were to implement artificial snow making, the annual electricity consumption would be equivalent to the electricity consumption of 130000 households of four. According to data from the Italian Environmental Union, about 90% of Italy's ski slopes rely on artificial snow making, and Italy's ski slopes in the Alps may soon consume the same amount of water each year as a city with a population of one million. Research has pointed out that climate change has led to severe drought in many parts of Europe, and in this context, there is not enough water resources for the skiing industry.
It is reported that almost half of the world's ski resorts are located in Europe, generating approximately 28 billion euros, equivalent to approximately 221.1 billion yuan, annually, and playing an important role in maintaining the local economy.
