Scientists in Switzerland say the country’s glaciers have experienced one of the most severe annual declines ever recorded.
New measurements indicate that Swiss glaciers lost approximately 5.5% of their ice during the past year, making it one of the largest reductions on record. Researchers attribute the losses to a combination of heatwaves and unusually dry weather conditions.
The findings have renewed concerns about the long-term impact of climate change on mountain ecosystems, freshwater supplies and tourism.
Experts warn that continued ice loss could have significant environmental and economic consequences for communities that depend on glacier-fed water systems.
