Climatic change and its possible impacts in the alpine region

This paper provides a brief overview of climatic change as observed in the 20(th) century in the alpine region, and the shifts in mean and extreme climates that may occur in coming decades if so-called << global warming >> is of the amplitude and speed projected by numerous climate models. The impacts of climatic change may be significant on many fragile systems in the mountain environments, notably snow and ice, hydrology, vegetation, natural hazards, and of course on humans and their economic activities, and these will be briefly discussed. Finally, the overview paper is completed with some remarks concerning adaptation options in the face of climatic change, notably through the application of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.