In 2026, researchers in the Swiss Alps tested a novel method to slow glacier melting by using biodegradable sheep's wool instead of traditional plastic covers. The experiment took place on the 3000 Glacier in the Diablerets region, where four students from the University of Lausanne placed two patches of wool on the ice. Each patch covered 100 square meters and was made by a local company called Fisolan. The wool was compared to a control patch made of a synthetic geotextile, a material commonly used to protect glaciers. Initial results suggest that the wool may have been as effective as the plastic in reducing melting, potentially by more than 50 percent. The team monitored the patches throughout the summer by taking biweekly measurements. They used stakes planted in the center of each covered area to track the amount of snow and ice lost over time. To keep the wool covers in place against strong winds, they used recycled malt bags filled with gravel. The wool remained intact and functional under the harsh mountain conditions, showing no signs of degradation. These findings are preliminary, but they offer a promising alternative to the synthetic materials that have been used for over two decades. For years, synthetic geotextiles have been used in Switzerland to protect glaciers from summer melting. These materials, made of polyester and polypropylene, are effective in slowing ice loss but have environmental drawbacks. As they degrade from wind and weather, they release microplastics into mountain waters, which can eventually reach the food chain. In 2025, an exhibition in the Swiss town of Vevey raised awareness about this issue. Art historian Nathalie Dietschy highlighted the damage caused by these synthetic covers, leading to the development of the Keep It Wool project. This initiative aims to repurpose sheep's wool, which is often discarded in Switzerland due to a lack of commercial markets. The country produces a significant amount of wool annually, but much of it goes unused. Switzerland's glaciers have been losing mass rapidly, with nearly 40 percent of their ice disappearing over the past 20 years. Around 1,000 small glacial formations have already vanished entirely. While the geotextiles used today cover only a tiny fraction of the country's glaciers, they help preserve about 300,000 cubic meters of snow each year. However, this amount is minuscule compared to the over one billion cubic meters of ice lost annually. The researchers behind the Keep It Wool project acknowledge that even if the wool method were expanded, it would not be enough to stop the retreat of Alpine glaciers. They emphasize that a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions is essential to address the broader issue of climate change. The data collected from the 3000 Glacier will be analyzed further in the coming months to better understand the potential of this new approach.