Glaciers in Switzerland have lost nearly 20% of their mass since 2018, experts reported on Thursday. The Swiss glaciers are melting at an alarming rate, with this year witnessing the second-largest decrease on record due to unprecedented heatwaves across Europe.
A study by the Glacier Monitoring in Switzerland (GLAMOS) revealed a 5.5% decline in glacier mass this year alone. Over the last five years, nearly a fifth of the ice mass has vanished, raising concerns about future water supplies.
GLAMOS chief Matthias Huss cautioned that the long-term survival of Alpine glaciers is in jeopardy. He labelled 2026 as a “catastrophic year,” noting that low winter snowfall and record summer temperatures have contributed to significant ice loss. Huss warned, “This is a glacier that isn’t surviving. There will probably be no ice in 10 or maybe 15 years.”
The report highlights the urgent impact of global warming, particularly in Europe, which is warming faster than any other continent. Huss explained, “The warming that we are experiencing now can be attributed 100% to anthropogenic climate change. Without human emissions or fossil fuels, we wouldn’t have any warming at the moment.”
