Shocking Photos Reveal 25% Loss of Switzerland's Rhone Glacier in 15 Years Due to Climate Change
August 7, 2024Duncan Porter, a software developer from Bristol, recently shared two striking photos of Switzerland's Rhone Glacier taken 15 years apart, showcasing the glacier's dramatic retreat due to climate change.
The couple first visited the glacier in August 2009 and returned in August 2023 with their teenage daughters, capturing the same viewpoint, which revealed a starkly different landscape.
The original photo depicted a large sheet of ice, while the recent one revealed craggy grey rock and a lake in the foreground, highlighting the glacier's significant loss.
Matthias Huss, head of the Swiss Glacier Measurement Network Glamos, confirmed that the Rhone Glacier has experienced substantial volume loss over the years, with a 25% reduction in the last 15 years.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that if global warming continues, only a fraction of the Alpine glaciers may remain by the end of the century.
Climate change is a critical and urgent issue, with glaciers melting at unprecedented rates due to rising global temperatures, and the summer of 2023 was the hottest on record.
This record heat contributed to an additional four percent loss of glacier volume, exacerbating the ongoing crisis.
Comments on Porter's viral post reflect widespread concern about the rapid melting of glaciers and the implications of climate change, with many expressing sadness and resignation.
According to a World Economic Forum report, Swiss glaciers have experienced a 10% decline in total volume over just two years, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
Porter expressed that witnessing the glacier's retreat evoked feelings of helplessness, but he emphasized that individuals can take meaningful action against climate change.
Despite facing attention from climate-denying accounts online, Porter remains focused on positive feedback and constructive discussions regarding climate awareness.
Porter's post has resonated widely, garnering over 4.2 million views on social media, highlighting the increasing public engagement in climate protection efforts.
Summary based on 8 sources
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Sources
The Guardian • Aug 6, 2024
‘It made me cry’: photos taken 15 years apart show melting Swiss glaciersEuronews • Aug 6, 2024
British tourist’s photos of disappearing Swiss glacier go viralIndia Today • Aug 5, 2024
Pics of Switzerland glacier taken 15 years apart show impact of climate change