The average temperature climbed to 7.4 degrees Celsius last year from an average 5.8 degrees between 1991 and 2020, the Swiss environment ministry reported on Monday.
This resulted in glaciers losing six percent of their mass – or three cubic kilometres – which is the fastest melt recorded in one year.
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Global warming caused 60% of Swiss heat deaths in summer 2022
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Human-made global warming was responsible for around 60% of Swiss heat deaths last summer.
A string of sweltering temperatures saw a reading of 38.3 degrees in Geneva in August. Only the heatwave of 2003 saw hotter daily temperatures.
Several lakes saw water levels fall to record lows while other watercourses and springs dried up before being revived by late summer rainfall.
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Switzerland risks seeing another record glacier melt in 2023, says glaciologist
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The year 2023 looks set to be another bad one for Swiss glaciers, with snow cover around 30% below the average of the last ten years.
A total of 131 forest fires were reported, which is above the recent annual average of 109.
The months of May until September witnessed 474 heat-related deaths, which is the worst death toll since the 1,402 in 2003.
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Climate change: Swiss cities combat heat islands
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Local authorities across Switzerland are planting trees, replacing asphalt surfaces with green ones or installing misting systems.
The figures were released on the same day as the Geneva-based World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) reported concerns at high sea temperatures and the loss of Antarctic ice.
The WMO could not predict the impact of El Niño on the rising temperature patterns.
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In many parts of the world people are increasingly suffering from intense heat. How do you cope with the rising temperatures?
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Industrial policies are back in fashion, not only in the United States but also in the EU. Should Switzerland, where various industries are struggling, draw inspiration from such policies?
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A committee of Switzerland’s House of Representatives has found the people’s initiative to limit fireworks too extreme, but has suggested a counter-proposal.
UN investigators report evidence of crimes in Syria and call for national dialogue
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UN investigators in Geneva report ample evidence of crimes in Syria and urge the regime to follow through on its promise of a national dialogue.
Swiss Trade Union warns EU deal could threaten wages
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The Swiss Trade Union Federation warns that the new bilateral agreement between Switzerland and the EU could threaten wage protection and public services.
Credit Suisse fines from Mozambique scandal to fund victims’ compensation
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The fines imposed on Credit Suisse for the Mozambique scandal will be allocated to a fund for the victims, amounting to $105.5 million.
‘Confederation is a subsidy machine’: Swiss finance minister
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The Swiss government is a machine for distributing subsidies to various actors in the country, says finance minister Karin Keller-Sutter.
Lack of funds ends third bid to salvage Säntis ship from Swiss lake
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A third attempt to salvage the steamship Säntis, lying at the bottom of Lake Constance in Switzerland since 1933, has failed before it has even begun.
Nestlé Waters on trial in France over illegal waste dumps
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Bottled water producer Nestlé Waters to stand trial, accused of illegally dumping waste and maintaining unauthorised dumps.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
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Switzerland risks seeing another record glacier melt in 2023, says glaciologist
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The year 2023 looks set to be another bad one for Swiss glaciers, with snow cover around 30% below the average of the last ten years.
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July 2022 in Switzerland was one of the hottest since measurements began in 1864, according to the weather service of the national broadcaster.
Greenpeace warns of global warming impact in Switzerland
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The environmental organisation, Greenpeace, has warned that Switzerland is more affected by global warming than the global average.
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.