Stefan Glowacz warns: mountains must not become a amusement park!

Stefan Glowacz warns: mountains must not become a amusement park!

In the picturesque Alps around Garmisch-Partenkirchen, not only majestic peaks rise, but also fundamental questions about the future of mountain sports and tourism. Stefan Glowacz, a renowned extreme mountaineer and climber, shares his profound concerns about developments in the region. At the age of 60, Glowacz looks back on a childhood in Oberau that was characterized by untouched nature and unforgettable adventures. Today, however, he feels increasingly concerned about the changes that threaten the mountains. "In the past I went by bike to the Eibsee and could enjoy nature. Now the crowds can hardly be endured," says Glowacz, criticizing the event and overgrowth of the alpine space. His goal is to preserve access to nature so that the protection of nature comes into focus. He is aware that tourism also leaves an ecological footprint that should not be underestimated.

Especially at a time when the glaciers of the Alps go back dramatically due to climate change, Glowacz 'attitude is particularly relevant. Alpenverein.de notes that Gletscher has withdrawn by 150 to 200 meters in the past 100 years. This not only leads to an increase in rock and clumps, but also to an acute problem of water shortage in the Alps. Melting water becomes a lifeline for many rivers in summer, and at the same time some huts have had to take water -saving measures. The changes in the climate bring considerable risks for mountain athletes - from the increased danger from stone strikes to health problems due to extreme temperatures.

sustainability instead of ski lifts

In Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the ski areas are often only artificially snowed, while the surrounding valley remains green. Glowacz describes the plans to build new ski lifts as "short -sighted" and calls for a rethink. He and Bavaria's Environment Minister Thorsten Glauber agree that skiing must be reconsidered in the long run. "We have to expect global warming, and the last glaciers in Bavaria could disappear until 2034," warns Glowacz. Glauber, on the other hand, sees scope for faster project implementations in the planned environmental impact tests to promote tourism without reducing the content exams.

glowacz 'warnings are not unfounded: at a time when temperatures in the Eastern Alps have already risen by 2 ° C and forecast an increase of 3 to 5 ° C by the end of the century, the stability of the mountains becomes increasingly fragile. Süddeutsche.de highlights the connection between climate change, tourist overuse and the necessary preservation of nature. It remains to be seen whether mountain sports can continue to exist in its current form, but one thing is clear: the call for a sustainable handling of nature is getting louder.