Home / Environment / Sheep's Wool: A Biodegradable Glacier Shield?
Sheep's Wool: A Biodegradable Glacier Shield?
3 Sep
Summary
- Swiss researchers are testing sheep's wool to slow glacier melt.
- Wool blankets performed as well as synthetic covers in early tests.
- Project highlights need for emissions cuts to combat climate change.
In the Swiss Alps, an innovative experiment is exploring the use of sheep's wool to combat glacier melt. The "Keep It Wool" project, a collaboration between the Summit Foundation and the University of Lausanne, is trialing wool coverings on the Tsanfleuron Glacier. This initiative seeks a biodegradable alternative to conventional plastic geotextiles, which can pollute with microfibres.
Four master's students developed the concept, leading to the placement of wool blankets on 200 square meters of the glacier in June. Early results, documented by bi-weekly measurements, indicate the wool covers were as effective as synthetic ones in limiting melt.
Project manager Timothee Steiner noted the experiment also addresses the issue of underutilized Swiss wool, with a significant portion typically discarded annually. Despite the encouraging early findings, project backers stress that this is not a sole solution to climate change. Scientists reiterate that reducing greenhouse gas emissions is crucial for slowing ice loss.
This experiment occurred amidst record heat this summer, which accelerated snow melt on glaciers, leading to increased ice loss. Such loss has been linked to environmental hazards, including rockslides and flash floods.
