Federal Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel has drawn attention to the worrying effects of climate change in mountain regions. "The impacts of climate change are among the most serious threats to the Alpine ecosystem. Here, nature responds with particular sensitivity, because nowhere else in Europe are so many sensitive natural geographic regions found within such a relatively small area. In the Alpine region in particular, it is becoming apparent that some of the negative impacts of climate change can no longer be avoided", said Gabriel, speaking today on International Mountain Day.
The Minister pointed out that glacial retreat and the increasingly frequent natural disasters in mountain regions are not the only concerns. The local population's economic base is also at risk. Gabriel emphasised that climate change will have major impacts on tourism, a key economic sector in the region, so strategies must be developed swiftly to mitigate and if possible avoid the disastrous impacts on local people's living conditions and on the ecosystems.
In November 2006, at Germany's initiative, the IXth Conference of Contracting Parties to the Alpine Convention adopted a declaration on climate change in the Alps. Gabriel explains: "Climate change is already so far advanced that adaptation strategies now need to be developed as a priority for regions particularly at risk." The Alpine countries will therefore produce an action plan containing recommendations for activities specific to the Alpine region by 2008. The latest scientific findings indicate that warming will be 1 degree Celsius higher in the Alpine region than the worldwide average.
The Minister, who has just returned from talks in China, emphasised that the industrialised countries must continue to play a leadership role in international climate protection. However, he said that it is also important to encourage major emerging countries such as China and India to make an active and internationally coordinated contribution in line with the opportunities available to them. "Ambitious climate protection policy and economic development are not conflicting aims; on the contrary, they complement each other. Germany is demonstrating that active climate protection can stimulate the economy and employment and drive forward innovation". Germany is making climate protection a key focus of its EU and G8 Presidencies in 2007.