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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Patrick Barkham

Global heating is turning white Alps green, study finds

A view of the Mont-Blanc range in the French Alps.
Rising temperatures from global heating and increased rainfall are prolonging the growing season on the Alps. Photograph: Philippe Desmazes/AFP/Getty Images

The impact of global heating on the Alps is visible from space, with the snow-white mountains increasingly colonised by green plants, according to a study of high-resolution satellite data.

Vegetated areas above the treeline in the Alps have increased by 77% since 1984, the study says. While retreating glaciers have symbolised the speed of global heating in the Alpine region, researchers described the increases in plant biomass as an “absolutely massive” change.

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