Is snow in the city just a problem, or a resource of undervalued importance?
If it's winter, it's snow. This, however, has been in short supply lately. Drivers, who were finally not surprised by winter, are happy, and those who do not have to trudge through it, marching on the sidewalk, are happy. All in all, therefore, it could be considered unnecessary for us - especially in the city. In the mountains? Yes, let it be - preferably for our winter vacation. But that's about it. After all, there are only problems with it in the city.
However - are we sure? Snow is a resource that plays an important role in ecosystems, especially in Poland, where seasonal precipitation contributes to maintaining the country's water balance. White fluff and ice is also water, and this melting water moistens the soil, fertilizes it and feeds groundwater, which is of considerable importance for the environment and agriculture. Unfortunately, as a result of climate change, there is a decline in the frequency of snowfall in favor of rain, which increases the risk of drought and lowers groundwater levels[1]. Average winter temperatures in Poland have risen in recent decades, which means that conditions conducive to snowfall - temperatures below 0°C - are becoming less frequent. Instead, the winter months see rainfall, which has a completely different impact on the environment.
The snowcover acts as a natural water store, releasing water gradually as it melts, allowing the soil to be evenly moistened and groundwater to be replenished in the spring. When snow is replaced by rain, rainwater drains more quickly from the earth's surface into rivers instead of seeping into the soil. This phenomenon leads to faster surface runoff, the faster the more concreted the surface. This limits the effective replenishment of water resources and increases the risk of drought, especially during the later months of the year.
The lack of snowcover also leads to faster... cooling of the soil. Yes, cooling. Snow insulates the soil and protects its top layers from deep freezing. In its absence, the soil is exposed to greater damage from sudden frost, and this effectively weakens the condition of plants and their growth in the spring and affects the abundance of agricultural yields.
snow solastalgia
The lack of snow affects not only the functioning of the environment, but also our sense of cultural and aesthetic identity. Memories of winter landscapes, making snowmen or sledding are becoming increasingly distant. The loss of these experiences particularly affects older generations, who remember snowy winters as an integral part of the Polish climate and traditions. Solastalgia, a term introduced by Australian philosopher Glenn Albrecht, describes the feelings of longing, sadness and anxiety associated with environmental degradation in the place where we live[2]. In the context of Poland, where snow was a permanent feature of the winter landscape for decades, its absence can be considered one of the manifestations of this phenomenon. A winter without snow symbolizes a changing world that deviates from the familiar and cherished patterns of nature[3]. If you feel a certain loss behind the snowy view outside your window - you are not alone(a).
But what is there to miss
On the other hand, snowfall in cities is a nightmare. Anyone who has had to function in a winter aura knows the city knows that even a small but few days' precipitation generates numerous logistical, urban and social challenges. When it rains, residents' quality of life declines[4]. Snowfall and icy sidewalks cause mobility difficulties, especially for the elderly, people with mobility disabilities and parents with baby strollers. Slippery surfaces significantly increase the risk of falls, which in many cases end in fractures and hospitalization. Statistics from Polish cities show an increase in the number of orthopedic injuries during the winter months. The number of winter injuries in Poland increases by about 30% during the winter months. Soft tissue injuries, hip fractures, wrist fractures and other injuries are the most common consequences of falls. In the older age group, each injury is associated with serious health consequences, such as immobilization, postoperative complications and even increased mortality. It is estimated that nearly 25% of elderly people who experience a fall never regain their previous mobility[5]. Falls can have serious health consequences for the elderly, such as hospitalization or the development of complications, such as pneumonia as a result of prolonged immobilization. And this generates additional burdens for the health care system.
rally on the sidewalk
One of the most common solutions to slippery sidewalks is to sprinkle them with road salt. Unfortunately, this has a serious negative impact on the environment. Salinization of the soil along streets inevitably leads to damage to the root systems of trees, reduces their ability to take up water and causes their weakening and even death. Dendrologists indicate that salt has a greater impact on urban tree degradation than air pollution[6]. Not only does road salt damage soil and vegetation, it also negatively affects groundwater quality. And that's a simple way to permanently weaken local ecosystems.
Another solution is brines, or solutions of salt in water. Due to their lower salt concentration, they are less harmful to the environment, yet just as effective in counteracting ice. Alternative chemicals, such as calcium chloride or magnesium chloride, are less harmful, but their use comes at a higher cost[7].
One of the most traditional and available ways to counteract slipperiness on sidewalks and roads is the traditional sprinkling of sand or gravel (sometimes still ash). Using these comes with some limitations. First, sand does not remove ice or snow, but only reduces their slipperiness - so sprinkling must be repeated regularly if precipitation occurs again. Second, sand accumulates on sidewalks and streets after winter. This, in turn, requires additional dedicated cleaning and can put a strain on storm drains. However, it seems incomparably less threatening to the environment. Sound like a lot of extra work? Well, there are already regulations in place that prohibit such drastically affecting agents as salt.
salt ban
Many German cities have banned the use of road salt by private individuals. Instead, authorities are recommending the use of sand, gravel or grit, which are less harmful to the environment. Violations carry hefty fines of up to €10,000[8]. Similarly, Switzerland has decided to limit the use of road salt, replacing it with non-chemical materials such as gravel or sand[9]. The Canadian province of Ontario, for its part, has opted to use less harmful salt brine, as well as mechanical snow removal technology[10].
Krakow, too, is attempting to move away from salting in favor of using coffee grounds in 2021. The City Greenery Board has been sprinkling park alleys on a test basis, inspired by Lviv's efforts[11]. However, grounds contain chemical compounds with bactericidal and fungicidal properties that can negatively affect the soil microflora, limiting plant growth. Studies indicate that adding as little as 2.5% coffee grounds to the soil can significantly inhibit crop growth. If you plan to do so, it's worth bearing in mind that using them may not comply with waste management regulations[12].
Considering the experience of other countries and knowing how much damage road salt can cause, it seems logical to conclude that Poland should consider introducing more environmentally friendly solutions in managing winter maintenance of infrastructure. If it is already necessary to use salt, its impact should be reduced as much as possible, if only by introducing protective barriers around trees to protect their trunks and root systems from salt.
snow bumps
Snow is a resource of great importance for the water balance and ecosystems in Poland. There should also be a place for it in the city, but regulated in some way. It may be a challenge to manage the precipitation, but just by the way cities clear snow, they show who is prioritized. In practice, it often happens that during the mechanical clearing of snow from the streets, the snow is pushed onto sidewalks or pedestrian crossings, creating high heaps that effectively prevent free movement. Such a situation not only makes life difficult for the elderly, parents with prams or people with disabilities, but also highlights the inequality in the treatment of urban space - priority is given to automobile traffic at the expense of pedestrians. Ensuring the equality of all traffic participants seems an obvious platitude, but in reality it gets lost under the snow. Snow removed from the roadway should not block pedestrian crossings or restrict the availability of sidewalks or bike paths (yes, you ride on them in the winter too - think of couriers delivering food to you, for example).
Can a winter urban landscape not frustrate us? Of course. The Nordic countries are a perfect example. Snow is a great indicator of who is most important in a city - the person in the car, the pedestrian, or maybe nature?
Magdalena Milert
[1] Hydrological cycle. The impact of snowfall on the water balance. Wodnesprawy.co.uk. Accessed from: https://wodnesprawy.pl. As of: 18.01.2025.
[2] Albrecht, G. (2005). Solastalgia: A new concept in human health and identity. PAN Partners.
[3] Climate change and winters in Poland. Wprost.pl. Accessed from: https://www.wprost.pl. As of: 18.01.2025.
[4] Why is it snowing less and less in Poland? Wprost.pl. Accessed: https://www.wprost.pl. As of: 18.01.2025.
[5] Krysinska, M., Domoslawska-Żylinska, K., & Fronk, M. (2017). Injuries among people over 60 years of age - report. Warsaw: National Institute of Public Health. Accessed on: National Institute of Public Health, as of: 17.01.2025.
[6] Dendrologist: salt on roads harms trees. Science in Poland. Accessed from: https://naukawpolsce.pl. As of: 18.01.2025.
[7] Salt spread on roads makes trees die. TVN24.pl. Accessed: https://tvn24.pl. As of: 18.01.2025.
[8] Germany: fines for sprinkling salt on roads. Dojczland.info. Accessed: https://dojczland.info. As of: 18.01.2025.
[9] Swiss cantons restrict road salt. Spidersweb.co.uk. Accessed: https://spidersweb.pl. As of: 18.01.2025.
[10] Salt restriction programs in Ontario. Local Government Roads Online. Accessed: https://www.drogisamorzadoweonline.pl. As of: 18.01.2025.
[11] TVN24. (2023). Krakow spills coffee grounds on sidewalks in parks instead of salt and in addition to sand. Accessed at: https://tvn24.pl/krakow/krakow-sypia-fusy-po-kawie-na-chodniki-w-parkach-zamiast-soli-i-oprocz-piasku-st6642776. As of: 18.01.2025.
[12] Pomorska.pl. (2021). Coffee grounds instead of salt for icy sidewalks? Revolutionary idea may be harmful and illegal. Accessed at: https://pomorska.pl/fusy-z-kawy-zamiast-soli-na-oblodzone-chodniki-rewolucyjny-pomysl-moze-byc-szkodliwy-i-nielegalny/ar/c4-15435133. On: 18.01.2025.
