UK Environmental news
 | Friday 26th June 2009 Melting Glaciers Force New Border Agreement in the Alps Climate change is causing a dramatic rift in the Alps and the creation of two distinct climatic zones. The shocking discovery has revealed that the southern areas are receiving considerably less snow and hence drying out, while the northern Alps have seen a 10% increase in rain and snowfall leading to the increased risk of flooding. These changes are rapidly advancing and are set to create unique localised problems for communities in these areas. One such problem that perhaps best demonstrates the issue is the proposed redrawing of the international border between Italy and Switzerland. The previous 1941 agreement between the countries defined the edge of certain glaciers as the official border. These glaciers are now in retreat and legislation is being prepared in Rome to redefine the border, based on the edges of underling rocks. Swiss law allows the border to redrawn within the current framework but Italy is required to create new legislation for the act. Alpine communities in the south that focus on tourism are seeing falling numbers of visitors due to reduced snowfall and the knock on effect is increased water shortages. At the same time northern settlements are faced with an increase in flooding and mudslides. The changes are also affecting local animal and plant populations. Alpine species are being driven higher into the mountains while species native to warmer lowlands are slowly gaining ground on the lower slopes. |
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