Italy, Switzerland Change Borders as Glaciers Melt
02:00
13 ต.ค. 2024 เวลา 11:49
02:00
13 ต.ค. 2024 เวลา 11:49
คำอธิบาย
Borders between countries sometimes change after wars or international agreements, but part of the border between Italy and Switzerland is changing because of melting glaciers.
Large sections of the border are defined by different parts of the glacier, for example the lines of ridges in the ice.
But climate change has caused glaciers across Europe to melt and this has changed the positions of the glaciers' ridges and the natural boundaries between the countries.
The two countries have been talking about the new borders for a number of months. Switzerland signed the new border agreement at the end of September and it's waiting for Italy to do the same.
Part of the border is close to the popular Swiss ski resort of Zermatt. Some of the slopes will be affected by the border change, although skiers shouldn't need to worry about carrying their passports up the mountain!
In fact, both countries are in the Schengen area, so anyone with a visa to visit one of them will usually be able to visit the other without any problems.
The changes have been made so that it is clear which of the two countries is responsible for maintaining certain areas.
But both countries' economic interests were also considered when the new borders were agreed, Bloomberg said.
According to 2023 data, Switzerland's glaciers lost 4% of their volume in 2023, after losing a record 6% of their volume in 2022.
The region has had less snow and warmer summers in recent years.
Some glaciers have no ice left, and the situation will only get worse if nothing is done about climate change, experts say.
According to a 2023 study, up to half of the world's glaciers could disappear by 2100, even if we make progress with targets limiting climate change.