Climate history and environmental impact
Measuring of river runoff (field course in geomorphology of the Master in Earth and Environmental sciences).
Abstract: Geology and landscapes of the alpine regions have been strongly influenced by the presence and action of glaciers during the last 2 Million years. Glaciers and glacial rivers are also at the origin of the most important drinking water and construction material resources. Therefore, climate variations are responsible of major morphological and geological modifications of wide areas of the globe.
Since the end of the last ice age (that means during the last 11’000 years), climate variations are attenuated; however they still have a major impact on the life conditions. The knowledge and comprehension of the climate changes and their impact have become essential in the professional life of geologists and environmental scientists. As a consequence, the curricula of our Section now include a rich offer of lectures and practical work (including field work) on the Bachelor, Master and PhD levels.
Complete version: Geology and landscapes of the alpine regions have been strongly influenced by the presence and action of glaciers during the last 2 Million years. Glaciers and their meltwater have eroded some of the valleys far below the sea level; glacial moraines, glaciolacustrine sediments and gravels of glacial rivers have then filled the basins. The hills and slopes of the Swiss Plateau have been polished generating the present glacial morphologies and their charming landscapes. In Switzerland, the main resources for building materials and drinking water are directly related to these glacial processes during the recent geological history. Therefore, we recognize that climate variations have taken control of the geological processes that shaped the country landscape.
Since the end of last ice age, ca. 11,000 years ago, the impact of climate change have been less brutal. However, its influence still exists as climate is a basic parameter of livelihood for a large part of the world population, e.g. with respect to agricultural production; also natural risks (storms, floods, landslides) are directly dependent on climatic variations.
Measuring meteorological parameters in front of the Mont Miné glacier; field course in the framework of the course “ Climate change and Alpine environments” of the Master in Earth and Environmental sciences.
For example, at the end of the Middle Ages, the mild climate was followed from about 1500 AD by a degradation, known as the "Little Ice Age." In the Alps, about 2 ° C lower average annual temperatures, accompanied by seasonal changes in precipitation and/or the length of the winter season, triggered the advancing of glacier tongues, a lowering of the upper limit of forests, reduction of the surface of arable land and pastures, and finally a significant emigration. This situation was reversed at the end of the 19th century, with a gradual warming, followed by the current global warming, which is influenced by a significant human contribution, mainly through massive greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.
Issues related to the relationship between climate change, environmental adaptations and the consequences for our society are currently facing a great public interest. They are also of interest to graduates of the Section of Earth and Environmental Sciences, who in their professional life, will have to find answers to many questions and challenges posed by environmental change.
At the University of Geneva, theoretical teaching and practical training on climate and environmental change are available as well in our Section, or (in collaboration with the social sciences) at the Institute of Environmental Sciences (ISE) from the first year of the Bachelor studies to the Masters in geology and in environmental science (MUSE). They start in the first year of the Bachelor in Earth environmental sciences as part of the course of general geology, then continue through teachings in geomorphology, Earth history, global change, limnogeology, quaternary geology, ecology, atmosphere sciences, glacial geology, etc. The Master in Environmental Sciences dedicates workshops and a week of fieldwork to the study of the Alpine environment subject to climate change. During his week, students examine and measure not only the glacial retreat from all angles, the recolonization of the glacier foreland by flora and fauna, but also the consequences of global warming on water resources for hydropower and impact on the tourism. The graduation certificate of geological hazards and climate (CERG.C) provides training devoted to the study, prevention and management of geological hazards and climate. Finally, many PhD thesis are dedicated to questions on climate and environmental impact.
W. Wildi