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CLIMATE CRISIS

Climate change transforming Switzerland ‘into Tuscany’, scientists warn

Rising temperatures in Switzerland caused by climate change are gradually transforming the famous Alpine scenery so it looks more like the dryer region of Tuscany, an environmental group has warned.

Published: 8 August 2022 16:55 CEST
Climate change transforming Switzerland 'into Tuscany', scientists warn
Switzerland is taking on the colour of Tuscany., scientists warn. An aerial picture taken on September 15, 2020 shows the Castello di Brolio castle (Rear) towering over the Ricasoli company lands and vineyards, the most extensive in the Chianti Classico area, in Gaiole in Chianti, Tuscany. (Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA / AFP)

Global warming is leading to a “tuscanisation” of Switzerland’s landscape, the Swiss Foundation for the Protection and Management of Landscape (Sl-Fp) warned on Monday.

And the transformation could have major consequences on the country’s tourism industry.

The increasing number of heatwaves and dry periods over the past twenty years in Switzerland have already had a big impact on the landscape.

On Monday the foundation warned that as these episodes increase, the colour of the Swiss landscape will visibly change due to the reduction in the amount of water feeding the landscapes.

READ ALSO: Why Switzerland’s glaciers are melting faster than usual this summer

It warned that “the romantic ideal of a ‘green’ and water-rich Switzerland seems to be undergoing a lasting transformation”.

They dominant colour of green will be replaced by lighter shades of yellow and brown that are reminiscent of the dry landscapes of the Tuscan valleys, the foundation wrote in a press release.

It also warned that at higher levels the retreat of glaciers and drop in the volume of water means the moraines high up in the mountains will vegetate at a much slower rate, meaning the Swiss mountains will be less green.

Natural streams and waterfalls are also drying up, a situation seen in Italy, in the Piedmontese and Ligurian Alps, notes the foundation.

READ ALSO: ‘An impossible dream’: Will we come to dread Swiss summer in future?

According to the foundation, increasing water loss and warmer temperatures have an impact on biodiversity and reduce landscape variety.

The changing landscape will also reduces the recreational value of the mountains and therefore hit the tourism industry hard, it warned.

A 2014 report by scientists that looked at the tangible ways the climate crisis will change Switzerland said that whilst melting glaciers was the most talked about change there are other ways the country will be affected.

“Agriculture will face increased heat stress for livestock, and tree species distribution will change. The tourist industry will have to cope with shorter ski seasons  and the urban population will be exposed to more heat days,” the report said.

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FLOODS

IN PICTURES: What’s the latest after Switzerland hit by devastating floods?

Parts of Switzerland including the canton of Graubünden and the resort of Zermatt were hit by huge floods over the weekend which left buildings and roads destroyed. Here's the latest as two people remain missing.

Published: 24 June 2024 15:18 CEST
IN PICTURES: What's the latest after Switzerland hit by devastating floods?

A massive thunderstorm on Friday night unleashed the rivers in the eastern canton, causing a rock and mud avalanche in the municipality of Misox.

The resort of Zermatt, in nearby canton of Valais, was also impacted and was temporarily cut off from the rest of the country.

Additionally, landslide of mud and rubble destroyed a part of the north-south axis of the A13 motorway.

The collapsed section, between Thusis (GR) and Bellinzona (TI), is an important throughway for both passenger and commercial traffic, as it connects Switzerland with Italy.

This photograph shows signs at the entrance of the hamlet of Sorte, south of Lostallo in the Moesa Region in the Swiss canton of Graubunden (Grisons) after violent downpours caused floods and landslides on June 23, 2024. Photo by Piero CRUCIATTI / AFP

This aerial photograph shows a view of the hamlet of Sorte, south of Lostallo in the Moesa Region in the Swiss canton of Graubunden (Grisons) after violent downpours caused floods and landslides on June 23, 2024. Photo by Piero CRUCIATTI / AFP

According to the Graubünden cantonal police, this section will remain out of service “for months,” including the busy summer holiday period.

This is the update on these events:

Missing people

One of the victims, a woman, was found alive in rocks and mud on Saturday, and taken to a hospital. 

This photograph shows rocks around houses in the hamlet of Sorte, south of Lostallo in the Moesa Region in the Swiss canton of Graubunden (Grisons) after violent downpours caused floods and landslides on June 23, 2024. Photo: Piero CRUCIATTI / AFP

The body of a man was found eight kilometres from where he went missing, police said.

The other two people remain missing at this point and  “the probability of finding them alive is low,” said William Kloter, spokesperson for Graubünden police.

Zermatt

After having been suspended over much of the weekend, public transport to the famous Alpine resort, where no cars are permitted, is again operating on a regular schedule.

You can find all the timetable here. 

The A13 motorway

While the repair work on the 200-metre collapsed section has already began, it is still unclear how long the motorway closure will last, given the extent of damage.

The Buffalora bridge on the A13 did not suffer too much damage.

This aerial photograph shows a view of the A13 motorway section which collapsed in an area flooded by the Moesa river near Mesocco in the Graubunden (Grisons) canton in Switzerland on June 23, 2024. -(Photo by Piero CRUCIATTI / AFP)

However, a spokesperson for the Federal Roads Office told public broadcaster SRF on Monday that “with a bridge, you have to be able to ensure the structural stability. Work can only really begin once the floodwaters have receded. And that depends on the weather conditions.”

So what is the weather forecast for the affected areas?

According to meteorologist Simon Eschle, “there is no widespread rain in sight over the next few days. There will be occasional thunderstorms on Tuesday or Wednesday, but overall, there should be some relief for now.”

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