On June 27th and 28th, 2024, the first Alpine Climate Summit took place for the first time on the Tyrolean side of the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain.
Tiroler Zugspitz Arena (OTS) – Around 100 visitors, 55 experts, 10 controversial panel discussions, some of which were recorded for well-known TV broadcasters, online platforms and high-reach podcasts – the first edition of the Alpine Climate Summit on the Zugspitze was met with great public interest and a positive response 3000 meters ended on Friday.
The Alpine Climate Summit brought together experts from science, meteorologists and climate activists with representatives from business and leading media in the Alpine region. The aim of the summit meeting on the Tyrolean side of Germany’s highest mountain was to create an open climate for encounters and to gain different perspectives on one of the defining topics of our time – climate change – based on scientific facts. In some very intensive discussions about change, challenges and opportunities, it became clear that there must be reorientation and concrete action in all areas, but that the networking of people and disciplines who think differently is urgently needed.
A refreshingly different concept
„It was very gratifying that very different worlds came together here and that some very intensive exchanges could take place
said the well-known glaciologist Andrea Fischer, Scientist of the Year 2023 from the Academy of Sciences and representative of the Advisory Board, a summary. In this context, the concept of the Alpine Climate Summit is “refreshingly different” than conventional scientific conferences. “Here you can escape your own ‘bubble’ and despite the very emotional, difficult topic, there was a sense of optimism, which is absolutely necessary. Because climate change has arrived and we, as we live in the Alps, have to prepare for possible massive changes, otherwise things can become difficult.
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Speed of climate change is a problem
It represented the numerous climate researchers from Germany, Austria and Switzerland who were present Marc Olefshead of the climate research department at GeoSphere Austria, to the point: “We are recording the highest Co2 concentration in two million years. The speed is the problem, as it is around 25 times faster than most natural changes in the climate system.
“The fact that science and practice come together much more closely is enormously important – the new dialogue platform can achieve a lot here, they also said Ralf Roth, head of the Institute for Outdoor Sports and Environmental Research at the German Sport University Cologne and the Int. Expert Forum Climate.Snow.Sport – DA-CH: “Warming is a fact, we have to save Co2, now is the time to act.
Roth welcomed the fact that economic perspectives were also discussed in addition to the scientific classifications. It’s also about actually bringing about the necessary transformation in practice with confidence and concrete, ambitious goals.
Innovations can be part of the solutions
The Habitat Tirol Group with its subsidiaries Location Agency Tirol, Agrarmarketing Tirol and Tirol Advertising were also strongly committed to the expert summit, also to show that innovations are part of the solution. The consequences of climate change on the Alpine habitat, agriculture and tourism were the focus of exciting discussions as hosts Karin Seiler (Managing Director of Tirol Werbe), Matthias Pöschl (Managing Director of Agrarmarketing Tirol) and Marcus Hofer (Managing Director of the Tyrol Location Agency). On behalf of the Habitat Tirol Group, Hofer summarizes: “The topics of climate change adaptation and climate positivity in particular are often not yet sufficiently known to the public. At the same time, there are already many companies that have firmly anchored these issues in their corporate policies and products. Innovations can be part of the solutions to the challenges of climate change.
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Dialogue platform should be further developed
The Tiroler Zugspitz Arena region hosted the Alpine Climate Summit. Their chairman Theo Zoller also drew a positive conclusion: “The event was a great success because it became clear that it can only work in networks. We heard many well-founded points of view, opinions and facts and it became clear: We have to take action – better today than tomorrow. But always together!
“In this sense, we also hope that this innovative dialogue platform can be continuously developed further.
Young journalists reported on the expert summit
As part of the Alpine Climate Summit, young journalists were given the opportunity to gain valuable practical experience under real-time conditions. The participants of the teaching editorial team accompanied the Alpine Climate Summit on site and reported live from the event’s panel discussions.
The summit meeting was made possible by, among others, the Habitat Tirol Group with its subsidiaries Location Agency Tirol, Agrarmarketing Tirol, Tirol Advertising and the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena Region, which are hosting the AlpenKlimaGipfel. A team of representatives from various disciplines was formed around the organization, which guaranteed the high-quality program. Part of this team includes PD Mag. Mag. Dr. Andrea Fischer (glaciologist, Scientist of the Year 2023) and Univ.-Prof. Dr. Ralf Roth (Head of the Institute for Outdoor Sport and Environmental Research at the German Sport University Cologne and the International Expert Forum Climate.Snow.Sport – DA-CH).
Further material and photos at: Pressemappe AlpenKlimaGipfel
All information on the live blog: liveblog.tt.com
Website: www.alpenklimagipfel.jetzt
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