Swiss project tests sheep's wool as a way to slow glacier melt

As Swiss glaciers continue to retreat, researchers in the Alps are testing whether an overlooked agricultural byproduct could help protect sections of ice from summer melting.

The "Keep It Wool" project, led by the Summit Foundation and the University of Lausanne, is using sheep's wool as an alternative to synthetic geotextile covers on parts of Glacier 3000.

Glacier operators have traditionally placed reflective tarpaulins over small areas of snow and ice during the warmer months. The covers reduce the amount of sunlight and heat absorbed by the surface, slowing the rate of melting. However, many are made from plastic-based materials that can shed microfibers into the environment.

The project's organizers are also seeking a new use for Swiss wool, much of which is thrown away each year.

"Between 40 and 70% of sheep's wool is wasted in Switzerland," said project manager Timothée Steiner. "Our idea is to use this underutilized material to create a tool for protecting glaciers."

The trial grew out of a university project involving four master’s students. In June, two wool prototypes made by Swiss company Fisolan were installed on Glacier 3000, covering a combined area of 200 square meters.

Researchers monitored the site every two weeks and compared the performance of the wool blankets with that of a conventional synthetic geotextile cover.

Initial findings have been encouraging. Steiner said the measurements showed that melting beneath the wool was limited to roughly the same extent as beneath the synthetic material. The thicker of the two wool prototypes performed slightly better.

"We're really very happy with the results," Steiner said.

Fisolan employee Niklaus Sagesser said he had initially doubted whether wool would be sufficiently durable for use in such demanding conditions.

"I thought it wouldn't be stable enough," he said. "But it's wool."

For the students involved, the experiment provided an opportunity to see their research tested outside the classroom.

"At the beginning, we had a lot of preconceived notions. We didn't know if it would work," said student Elliot Gaffiot. "Now we have a result we can see and even touch. It worked incredibly well."

The project's supporters acknowledge that wool blankets cannot address the wider causes of glacier loss. Protective covers currently protect only around 0.02% of Switzerland's glacier surface, while scientists say the long-term solution remains a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Still, Steiner said natural materials could provide a more environmentally friendly option wherever temporary glacier protection is needed.

The team will continue assessing the wool prototypes to determine how well they withstand weather conditions and whether the material could be used on a larger scale.