Friday, August 21, 2009

Warming threatens Aussie ski fields: expert

ABC News Online, Fri Aug 21, 2009 

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/21/2663126.htm?site=news

An academic has a pessimistic outlook for Australian snow resorts because of climate change.

Associate Professor Catherine Pickering, of Griffith University, says global warming has reduced the amount of snow falling on resorts and has increased the fire risk in summer.

She says lower altitude ski resorts will be affected first.

"[There will be a] 60 per cent decline in the areas that receive 60 days of snow, so we're going to have a lot less snow," she said.

"If you're looking at the total amount of snow, there's already been a 30 per cent reduction in the last 30 years. If your looking at the maximum depth, we're looking at a 40 per cent reduction already."

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