Swiss glaciers continue to melt despite better year
Swiss glaciers this year recorded their lowest ice loss since 2013, but still lost 1% of their volume due to climate change, according to the Swiss Academy of Sciences.
This content was published on
1 minute
Keystone-SDA/jc
This is despite abundant snow in the winter and a relatively cool summer in 2021, the academy’s Cryospheric Commission said on TuesdayExternal link.
While the retreat of Swiss glaciers over the last three decades has been “immense”, the conditions were right in 2021 to give the glaciers a breather, it continued. “Unfortunately, in times of climate change, even a ‘good’ year is not good enough for the glaciers. The loss of ice continued, albeit at a slower pace.”
Measurements by Swiss glacier monitoring network GLAMOS documented ice loss on all 22 glaciers measured. Although the losses were smaller than in recent years, no gains were recorded for any of the glaciers. It can be assumed that this applies to the vast majority of Swiss glaciers, although there may be a few exceptions at special locations like small glaciers with a lot of avalanche snow, head of GLAMOS Matthias Huss told Swiss news agency Keystone-SDA.
Glaciers in the northern Valais (southwest Switzerland) came closest to equilibrium, he said. Glaciers in southern Valais, in Ticino and in the east, however, suffered almost the same losses as the average of the last ten years.
More
Why melting glaciers affect us all
Alpine glaciers could disappear by the end of the century. The consequences will be felt not only in the Swiss Alps but throughout Europe.
Swiss invention: 90-year anniversary of first T-bar ski lift
This content was published on
On Monday it will be 90 years since the world’s first T-bar ski lift went into service in Davos. This Swiss invention was an instant success.
Iran summons Swiss ambassador over US and Italy arrests
This content was published on
Iran has summoned the Swiss ambassador, who represents US interests, to protest against the arrest in the US and Italy of two Iranians.
Swisscom receives greenlight for acquisition of Vodafone Italia
This content was published on
The takeover of Vodafone Italia by Swisscom is nearing completion. All relevant authorities have now approved the €8 billion (CHF7.45 billion) deal.
Novo Nordisk stock market plunge drags down Swiss device maker Ypsomed
This content was published on
The Danish pharmaceutical giant, Novo Nordisk, faced setbacks on Friday that weighed on the share price of Swiss injection device manufacturer Ypsomed.
Swiss press react to EU deal with mix of euphoria and scepticism
This content was published on
Swiss media reaction to the agreement between Switzerland and the EU varies widely. Some are celebrating, while others worry about what is to come.
Swiss Solidarity donations to tackle child abuse top CHF4 million
This content was published on
Swiss Solidarity, the humanitarian arm of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), has raised over CHF4 million ($4.3 million) to tackle child abuse.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
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.