On Thursday, December 6, 2018, the Science-Actions association invites you to a Café Scientifique exploring the theme “The Mountains: The End of the Eldorado?” The event will take place at Le Beaujolais restaurant in Chambéry and will begin at 8:00 p.m.
This science café is being held as part of the International Mountain Professions Festival (FIMM).
Mountains: Is the Golden Age Over?
A hundred years ago, Savoie sent out its young chimney sweeps and oyster shuckers. Today, it attracts tourists from all over the world. In between, the region has capitalized on its “white gold.” Fifty-nine winter sports resorts. Over 20 million overnight stays related to snow. But is this model of development sustainable? Between 1900 and 2017, the average temperature rose by 2.1°C in the Northern Alps, compared to 1.1°C globally. Below 1,600–1,700 meters, snow cover at the beginning and end of the season has become problematic. The race for artificial snow is on. All resorts have relied on snow cannons, but how long can this strategy withstand global warming? Those at higher altitudes can always expand toward the highest peaks at the expense of remaining natural areas, but should we continue to artificialize the mountains and degrade the environment? Should we continue pursuing snow at any cost, prioritizing the wealthiest clientele, or should we change our development model by better addressing environmental concerns and diversifying activities? Should we do both—with high-altitude resorts and low- or mid-mountain resorts each following their own development strategies?
Featuring:
- Georges Marchand, a former ski resort operator who now works as a consultant in ski resort development and management;
- Annie Rouard, professor at the University of Savoie Mont Blanc and director of the university’s “Montagne Inventive” tourism cluster;
- Christophe Chaix, an expert in climate change and regional adaptation atthe Alpine Agency for Regions in Chambéry;
- André Collas, representative of FRAPNA-Savoie, in Chambéry.
SCIENTIFIC CAFÉS
Cafés Scientifiques (or "Cafés Sciences et Citoyen, Débat") allow the general public to discuss a variety of topics, often related to current events, with experts, researchers, and professionals in a friendly atmosphere. They are organized by the Science-Actions association, in collaboration with:
- Savoie Mont Blanc University
- the city of Chambéry
- the Eureka Gallery
- the Beaujolais Restaurant and theAstrée cinema
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