When Matthias Huss first visited Rhône Glacier in Switzerland 35 years ago, the ice was just a short walk from where his parents parked the car. Today, it's a half-hour trek from the same parking spot, and the glacier's retreat has become alarmingly evident.
A recent study by the World Meteorological Organization revealed that in 2024, glaciers outside the major ice sheets lost 450 billion tonnes of ice, equating to enough water to fill 180 million Olympic swimming pools. This phenomenon has been especially pronounced in Switzerland, where recent measurements reveal that glaciers have lost a quarter of their ice within the last decade.
Photos from the past and present illustrate this stark transformation vividly. Satellite images showcase how the Rhône Glacier has changed since 1990, revealing a growing lake where ice once prevailed.
Experts like Prof Ben Marzeion from the Institute of Geography at the University of Bremen emphasize that the glaciers are now in a climate hostile to their survival, with the melting accelerated by global warming. In 2022, a significant benchmark was crossed when nearly 6% of Switzerland's remaining ice disappeared in just one year.
As observed by glaciologists, smaller glaciers such as the Pizol have vanished completely. The Gries Glacier has retreated approximately 2.2 kilometers in the last century, illustrating the drastic extent of ice loss. In fact, the Great Aletsch Glacier has receded by about 2.3 kilometers over the past 75 years.
This rapid retreat has severe implications not only for local ecosystems but also for communities relying on glacier meltwater for agriculture and daily use. About 800 million people, particularly in Asia’s high mountains, depend on this resource, making the situation critical.
Yet, the path to mitigating this crisis lies in collective action against climate change. Research suggests that if global warming is limited to 1.5°C, half of the world's remaining mountain glaciers may be preserved. Still, our current trajectory points to a potential rise of 2.7°C, which could lead to the loss of three-quarters of these vital ice reserves.
For scientists, witnessing the fate of glaciers is both heartbreaking and empowering. “We have it in our hands,” says Prof Hock, calling for immediate action to reduce carbon footprints and combat the climatic forces threatening these magnificent structures.
