New research from Christoph Marty, a climatologist at the Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Researchin Davos has shown a continuous and marked reduction in snow coverage at lower altitudes - indicating a critical loss of habitat for the common Snowman, normally found in gardens at an altitude of between 200 and 800 meters where the majority of Swiss children live.

The release of Marty’s research - based on records from 34 weather stations between 200 and 1,800 metres above sea level going back for at least 60 years - marks the first time that ’snow days’ at these altitudes have been investigated. The research suggests that with winter city temperatures currently hovering close to the melting point of snow we are on the verge of a tipping point, which could see snowmen wiped out forever.

Analysis of data from Italy, Austria, Germany and France shows similar patterns elsewhere in Europe.

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You probably find that you need to use some sort of "ice melt" to help with the job, but we all know that most of these products are not without environmental side effects. In fact, it's been quite obvious for some time that most existing solutions are not environmentally-friendly, but super eco-friendly solutions are still not available.

Of course, there are ways to be less damaging to the environment when deicing pavement. You might want to take a couple of Advil for this one, because it's going to get a little manual around here.

The first step is to stop the ice before it starts. Clear snow before ice has a chance to form. If you're dealing with ice from freezing rain, Treehugger recommends that you break up that ice with a flat hoe. However, that may not be entirely reasonable depending on the area that you are working with, and the amount of ice.

One of the more environmentally friendly compounds out there (or less toxic, at least) is CMA - calcium magnesium acetate. If you put it down before the snowfall, it will even help stop ice from forming. It's a great alternative to salt, however it becomes much less effective in temperatures lower than the mid-20s.

One final recommendation is use whatever product you choose sparingly. Put down just enough to help you break up the ice so that you can remove it more easily.

Rebecca says: I'm feeling for you all right now. We're expecting a temperature drop here in Miami this weekend. A high in the mid-60s is a push for us, but we've pledged not to complain after seeing what the rest of the country is up against. Stay warm and drink some fair-trade hot cocoa!

Resources:

Environmental Literary Council, Impacts of Deicing

ENN, Environmentally Friendlier Ways to De-Ice Pavement?

University of Nebraska, Winter Deicing Agents for the Homeowner

University of Maryland, Melting Ice Safely