1 Background - mountain.PROJECTS

TURKU UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY PUBLICATIONS B Nr 4glacier origin (Roland 2003). A hydro power plant needs both short and long term scenariosof glacier resource in order to plan the activities. In a short term, glacier retreat wouldincrease the glacier power availability, which would diminish after the glacier is disappeared(Figure 44). An advancing glacier is producing melt water and hydropower as well, but lessthan a retreating glacier. Through the nationwide electricity networks glacier power isimportant not only to the countries of origin, but also to the customers. In 2003, a group ofFinnish power companies bought a share of the hydro power plant next to Svartisen, whichacquires its hydro power from the glacier. There were two reasons for the action. Firstly,precipitation has been very small during the last years in Finland, which has been noticed inFinnish hydropower stations. Secondly glacier power does not produce green house gases.Due to the Kioto agreement it is good that power companies have part of the power producedby hydropower. Before the decision, the availability of the resource was studied carefully.Tourism and glacier hazardsThe natural beauty of glaciers has attracted people through times (Figure 45). Today glaciatedregions are popular tourists attractions offering a source of livelihood in remote areas (Ives1991), and are popular destinations for skiers, mountaineers and hikers. In some areas ofScandinavia and Alps glaciers are important to local and regional tourism. Due to thedecreasing snowfall in the Alps during the recent years, alpine skiing business has facedserious problems (Figure 46). On a glacier the ski slopes are easy to maintain since from acold surface snow does not melt as fast as from a ground. In addition, glacier topography isalso ideal for slalom. With retreating glaciers there are less skiing possibilities. Glacialenvironments are interesting also for summer tourists and hikers.Figure 45. Tourists admiring the beauty of Hintereisferner and Weisskugel on August 13, 2003.(Photo: Petri Pellikka).66