In Italy, one of the consequences of global warming worries the authorities: the melting of the Alpine glaciers.
At the Presena glacier, in the north of the peninsula, thousands of square meters of white canvas are installed to cover it and slow down the phenomenon.
The purpose of this canvas: to protect the alpine ice from the summer heat.
Since 1993, this glacier has indeed lost more than a third of its volume.
Not a miracle cure
In total, some 120,000 m2 of canvas were installed, reflecting the light and protecting the alpine ice from the summer heat.
"We came here to see the glacier and take a walk, but in fact it is covered. Let's hope that at least it helps to preserve it!"
reacts a tourist.
"It really makes us think about climate change and its impact in mountain areas," adds another visitor.
For Christian Casarotto, glaciologist, the cover of this glacier is not a miracle cure.
"These tarps cannot be seen as a solution, especially since they can only be installed on small glaciers", he explains.
According to him, to counterbalance the melting of the glaciers, it is necessary above all to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases, responsible for the increase in temperatures.
If nothing is done, glaciers below 3,000 meters will disappear before the end of the century.
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