Shafaqna English– In response to rapid glacial retreat in the Swiss Alps, researchers are testing whether sheep’s wool can be used as an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic covers currently employed to protect ice from solar radiation.
While plastic tarpaulins have been effective, they shed microplastics and contribute to pollution. The “Keep It Wool” project, spearheaded by Summit Foundation and the University of Lausanne, is now using wool on the Tsanfleuron Glacier to assess its effectiveness.
This summer’s unprecedented heat has caused snow to vanish weeks ahead of schedule, fueling ice melt that has been linked to landslides and flash floods, including a recent disaster in the Himalayas. According to project manager Timothee Steiner, the initiative aims to both reduce waste—since up to 70% of Swiss wool is discarded every year—and test a sustainable solution.
Source: Reuters