The reality of climate change in Switzerland

Series Switzerland Explained, Episode 2:

In landlocked Switzerland temperatures are rising faster than in regions which benefit from the ocean’s cooling effect. The first video in our two-part series shows how climate change is affecting the Swiss landscape, economy and people.

While average global temperatures are 0.85 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, Switzerland has seen an increase of two degrees over the same period. Since 1850, its glaciers have lost 60% of their volume. As they continue to melt, the country risks losing an important reservoir, affecting farming, hydropower production and transport on Europe’s main waterways.

Meanwhile, the Swiss travel a lot by train, and Swiss trains run on hydroelectric power. But high levels of convenience and consumption of imported goods jack up the national carbon footprint. How does Switzerland compare to other countries? Find out in this video.
 

Series Switzerland Explained

• Episode 1: 1. How the Swiss asylum system works
• Episode 2: 2. The reality of climate change in Switzerland
• Episode 3: 3. How Switzerland is trying to combat climate change
• Episode 4: 4. Why is Switzerland so expensive?
• Episode 5: 5. What is it like to work in Switzerland?
• Episode 6: 6. Switzerland’s four languages
• Episode 7: 7. How to become Swiss
• Episode 8: 8. Commodity trading in Switzerland, explained