In the light of the poor season in Europe, more research has indicated that global waming could be more more significant in the Alps than elsewhere.

A report from the Swiss Department of the Environment released today supports previous French reseach and indicates there could be a major impact. It is now generally accepted that in the last 50 years the climate has changed as a result of human activity on a worldwide scale with a 6 degree increase forecast by the mid-century. However, in Switzerland, the warming could be appreciably more significant.

According to experts, between 1961 and 1990 alone, temperatures increased by 1 degree in Switzerland compared to 0.6 degrees elsewhere.

The report suggests this will have a considerable impact on wintersports tourism. This season has already been tough for resorts below 1800m, but in the future it looks as if higher resorts will be similarly affected.

The report concludes that the extent of climatic change depends on greenhouse gas emissions. Switzerland itself has a target of reducing CO2 emissions by 10%.

This will help, but don't forget you can do your own bit by being 'green' when and where possible. Either that or we accept that anyone wanting to ski in 50 years' time will have a two month season if they want to do their sliding on real snow in the great outdoors...

[Warning - Political Comment Alert:

Natch, it would make a difference if the USA, which produces a quarter of the world's total greenhouse gas emissions, despite having only 4% of the population, would take global warming more seriously. President Bush last week announced he was abandoning a campaign promise to regulate CO2 emissions. Time to count those votes again???

Tell George what you think in the Friends of the Earth campaign]