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Adapting to climate change - SOER 2010 thematic assessment: Climate change is happening and will continue to have far-reaching consequences for human and natural systems. Impacts and vulnerabilities differ considerably across regions, territories and economic sectors in Europe. Strategies to adapt to climate change are necessary to manage impacts even if global temperature stays below a 2 °C increase above the pre-industrial level. The EU adaptation framework aims at developing a comprehensive strategy by 2013, to be supported by a clearinghouse for sharing and maintaining information on climate change impacts, vulnerability and adaptation.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Thematic assessments
Alps — The impacts of climate change in Europe today: Located in Signals — every breath we take › Signals 2010
Comparison of active layer thickness from boreholes in the Alps, Norway and Svalbard: The figure shows the comparison of the active layer thickness from boreholes in the Alps, Norway and Svalbard.
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Mountain permafrost (CLIM 011) - Assessment published Sep 2008: A warming of mountain permafrost in Europe of 0.5-1.0 o C was observed during the past 10-20 years. Present and projected atmospheric warming will likely lead to wide-spread thaw of mountain permafrost. Warming and melting of permafrost is expected to contribute to increasing the destabilization of mountain rock-walls, the frequency of rock falls, debris flow activity and geotechnical and maintenance problems in high-mountain infrastructure.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Mountain permafrost
Observed permafrost temperatures from selected boreholes in European mountains: The figure shows observed permafrost temperatures from 10 m (left) and 20 m (right) depth and their evolution for selected boreholes in European mountains: the sites of the PACE transect and two additional sites in Switzerland (Matterhorn and M.d. Barba Peider) and one in Norway (Dovrefjell).
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Permafrost (CLIM 011) - Assessment published Nov 2012: In the past 10–20 years European permafrost has shown a general warming trend, with greatest warming in Svalbard and Scandinavia. The active layer thickness has increased at some European permafrost sites. Several sites show great interannual variability which reflects the complex interaction between the atmospheric conditions and local snow and ground characteristics. Present and projected atmospheric warming is projected to lead to widespread warming and thawing of permafrost. Warming and thawing of permafrost is expected to increase the risk of landslides, ground subsidence and flash floods from bursting glacial lakes. Thawing of permafrost also affects biodiversity and may accelerate climate change through release of CO2 and CH4 from arctic permafrost areas.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Permafrost
Permafrost and tree line: Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Probability of complete loss of northern Fennoscandian areas suitable for palsas: The figure shows the probability of complete loss of northern Fennoscandian areas suitable for palsas during the 21st century estimated using a probabilistic projection of climate change for the SRES A1B scenario
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Temperature distribution within a mountain range containing permafrost: Note: Permafrost is present in the blue area bordered by a black line.
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Temperature measured in different boreholes in mountain permafrost in Switzerland 1987-2007: Note: Measured at ca
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs