Sheep wool is being tested to slow the melting of glaciers in Switzerland

As Switzerland struggles to stop glaciers from melting due to global warming, researchers in the Alps are testing whether sheep wool, one of the country's most underrated natural resources, could offer a solution.

In order to slow down the melting of the ice sheets, which have shaped the high Alps geography for thousands of years, with heat waves, synthetic tarpaulins have been laid on ice and snow surfaces for many years to reflect sunlight and reduce heat absorption during the summer months.

However, these tarpaulins, which are mostly made of plastic, cause pollution by scattering microplastic fibers into the environment.

According to Reuters agency, within the scope of the 'Keep It Wool' project carried out under the leadership of the environmental organization Summit Foundation and the University of Lausanne, sheep wool is being tested instead of synthetic covers in order to slow down the melting of the Tsanfleuron Glacier in Western Switzerland.