A number of European resorts are turning to eco-friendly initiatives to fight the increasing problem of glacial melt, according to a report in The Independent.

Resorts go green
The newspaper's report focuses on several popular resorts in Northern Italy, where officials have begun the process of covering the Presena glacier with a high-tech insulating blanket. Many resorts in the region are following suit as they look to minimise the sport's ecological impact.

Over 970,000 square feet of insulating material is being used to cover endangered areas of the Presena glacier, which is in the scenic province of Trento. Previous tests with the material in the region proved a great success, reducing by ice melt by up to 60 per cent compared with exposed areas of the glacier.

Environmental research suggests that these preventative measures are more important than ever, as the Presena glacier lost around 39 per cent of mass in the ten years between 1993 and 2003.

Worldwide efforts
However, it's not only Italian resorts trying to demonstrate their eco-friendly credentials. In Germany, the highest mountain in the country, the Zugspitze has seen key areas covered by reflective tarpaulin since early June, whilst many resorts are turning to renewable power methods in order to become more green.

In the USA, several resorts have performed well in the environmental stakes, including Aspen and Squaw Valley.

[source: www.independent.co.uk ]