Glaciers are losing volume, an alarming sign of climate change

A new alarm signal is being sounded from the climate zone. Switzerland's glaciers are melting at an accelerated rate, losing 24% of their volume between 2015 and 2025, according to a new study published by the Swiss Glacier Monitoring Network (Glamos). Researchers warn that, without a drastic reduction in global emissions, almost all Alpine glaciers could disappear by the end of the century, according to AFP. The year 2025 recorded another "considerable melting" of glaciers, close to the record of 2022. A snowless winter and heat waves in June and August led to a 3% decrease in volume, according to data collected from about 20 glaciers and extrapolated to the national level.

"For about 20 years, all Swiss glaciers have been losing ice, and the pace is accelerating," said Matthias Huss, director of Glamos. At the famous Rhône glacier, one of the most visited in Switzerland, specialists have seen dramatic losses. "Here, the glacier has lost 100 meters of thickness, maybe even more, in the last 20 years," Huss explained.

Tourists who arrive in the area do not hide their surprise and disappointment. "It's really sad that it's melting so quickly!" an Argentine visitor told AFP.

• Impact on water and energy

Swiss glaciers play a crucial role in drinking water supplies and hydroelectric power generation. Their loss accelerates the risks related to the security of freshwater resources in Europe, especially in times of drought. According to the report, Switzerland has lost 30 km³ of ice since 2000, and the area of its glaciers has shrunk by 30%. If CO₂ emissions remain at current levels, almost all of Switzerland's glaciers - which account for more than half of the Alpine glacier volume - will disappear by 2100.

Since the 1970s, more than 1,100 Swiss glaciers have completely disappeared.

• A problem for the entire Alpine chain

The phenomenon affects not only Switzerland, but also Austria, France and Italy. In France, researchers estimate that by 2100, glaciers will have almost completely disappeared. "The retreat of glaciers destabilizes the mountain and can cause catastrophic collapses, as happened recently in the village of Blatten,” warned Huss. June 2025 was the second warmest June ever recorded in Switzerland, with the zero-degree isotherm sometimes rising above 5,000 m. However, a sudden cooling in July, with fresh snow at high altitudes, mitigated the disaster and avoided a new negative record.