Should we say goodbye to French wines and glaciers?
Global warming has affected France just like any other part of our planet. Yet, when in the summer of 2003 a heat wave stroke Paris and resulted in thousands of fatalities, the French realized it was time to acknowledge the climate change. Ironically, many homes, hotels and public places started to install air-conditioning systems, which had hardly ever been used in the country before, even though A/C systems contribute to global warming!
As for grapes, if the heat was to increase and rains become heavier, French Bordeaux grapes could lose the necessary sugars they need to develop at the right time to turn into perfect wines . Burgundy could be affected through their Pinot Noir grapes which would not grow their specific thin skin that loves cool climates.
French glaciers, just like their Swiss cousins, are melting dramatically. I take my American guests to see the breathtaking Sea of Ice in Chamonix when they travel to France on my tours, and whithin the last 5 years, I have noticed a huge difference. Every year, a few steps are added to the stairs we use to reach the ice cave carved in the glacier. Alpine galciers have lost 20% of their area. If the trend does not stop, 75% of Alpine glaciers are likely to be gone by 2050, 100% by 2100.
The Alps and its glaciers are Europe reservoir, birthplace of rivers such as the Rhine, the Rhone or the Po. So,what will we drink if wines can only be grown in Sweden and if towns like Evian cannot bottle their miracle water any more?
Let’s hope there will always be some monks brewing beer or mixing plants for Chartreuse Liqueur to quench our thirst! Until then, cheers or … à votre santé!
The picture has been taken by one of our guests when traveling to France with French Escapade.
My name is Jackie Grandchamps. In 2003, I founded French Escapade, offering another way to travel in small groups of 8. "Don't be a tourist, be our guest" is the moto and spirit of my company.
Check www.frenchescapade.com
Through this blog, I will provide information about France, Belgium, California, (soon Italy) but also some stories from my guests on the tours.
Learn more about the company in the French Escapade section of this blog.
April 3rd, 2008 at 4:10 am
Every time I visit this website I loose my assurance that everything written here is real. But even if it’s not true, I keep on visiting it because it’s interesting. There are many posts which you can’t find anywhere else.
April 4th, 2008 at 3:47 am
Thank you for your message. I’m glad you find my articles interesting.
My sources are inspired by my reading of very serious magazines and newspapers from Europe and the USA, or by my own experience of France and Belgium.
I hope you will keep on reading blog.
Take care
August 17th, 2008 at 2:22 am
Your blog is interesting!
Keep up the good work!