The future of snow tourism in Spain is increasingly uncertain. The increase in global temperature due to climate change draws a critical situation for the world. ski resorts SpanishThis will come at the expense of artificial profits in the face of an increase of 2 to 4 degrees above pre-industrial levels, with the consequent cost of water and energy to produce it.
That’s one of the results of the study published today in the journal Nature. Nature Climate ChangeThe most comprehensive study to date on the human impact of climate change. 2,234 European ski resortsA total of 984 square kilometers of slopes is half the current stretch worldwide.
To arrive at these conclusions, the investigation analyzed, among other things, the volume of normal and artificial snow, if used, that European ski resorts needed to operate between 1961 and 1990, according to Efe. It is stated that the global temperature increase in this period was 0.6 degrees.
Based on this reference, scientists Predictions of what will happen in global increments of 2 and 4 degreesIf there is no significant reduction in CO2 emissions in the next two decades, these are the values we will go to.
The result is resounding and alarming: more than half of Europe’s ski slopes do not have enough snow It will operate from a temperature increase of 2 degrees, and if we reach a 4 degrees increase compared to pre-industrial levels, this rate rises to 98 percent.
According to the study, the stations that can best resist will be those of most Northern countries, but southern countries, including Spain, will be the ones that will see the survival of these facilities put the most at risk.
Artificial snow: a double-edged sword
snow balls They are generally considered a lifeline when there is no natural snow, but may not be the solution in case of global warming due to the resources they consume. At the moment when more than 25% artificial snow is needed for a ski slope to work, scientists Demand for water and electricity to increase profits rapidlyThis significantly increases the carbon footprint of every skier and jeopardizes the sustainability of snow tourism under these conditions.
ANDIn the case of Spanish stationsDemand for water and electricity to produce artificial snow will increase by 10% annually if global temperature rises by more than 2 degrees Celsius, and by 20% annually if it rises above 4 degrees Celsius.
Increase in energy demand will trigger the carbon footprint per skier, which will grow by 13% In the context of 2 more degrees and 25% if there were 4 degrees. Currently, the carbon footprint per skier in Spain is approximately 1.6 kilotonnes of CO2 equivalent.
Led by Hugues François, an engineer at the French Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment, the study aims to provide detailed information and insights to the tourism industry and European governments, which, according to the researchers, must seek economic alternatives for the tourism industry. areas dependent on winter sports as the energy and water cost of maintaining the slopes may be unsustainable.
Reference work: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-023-01759-5
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