How Switzerland lost 20 percent of its ice in five years
Summary
Switzerland has lost nearly 20 percent of its glacier ice in five years because of very hot summers and less snowfall in winter. Scientists say this rapid melting is caused by human-driven climate change and could affect the country’s water supply and tourism.Key Facts
- Swiss glaciers lost 5.5 percent of their ice volume during the year ending September 30, 2026, and nearly 20 percent since 2021.
- In some places, glacier thickness dropped by as much as 10 meters over the summer of 2026.
- A measuring pole showed a loss of three meters of ice at nearly 3,000 meters elevation during just August and September 2026.
- The summer of 2026 was the hottest recorded in Switzerland.
- There was little snow in the winter, so glaciers had less protection from heat.
- Glaciers lost about 2.2 trillion liters (581 billion gallons) of water between July and September 2026.
- This water loss is more than four times the yearly drinking water used by all Swiss households.
- Glacier loss threatens Alpine tourism, which supports about 4 percent of Switzerland’s jobs.
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