Swiss glaciers have suffered what experts describe as a "disastrous" year of ice loss, a development that scientists warn puts downstream water supplies under increasing pressure.
Researchers monitoring the alpine ice say the pace of melting this season was unusually rapid. While they described the extent of the losses as severe, they also noted that such accelerated retreat is becoming less surprising in light of the current trajectory of global warming.
The shrinking ice carries implications for a range of water users. Glaciers act as natural reservoirs, releasing meltwater that can sustain river flows in summer months; a continued decline in glacial volume therefore raises concerns about summer water availability for communities, agriculture and hydropower, scientists say.
Experts are calling attention to the need for both mitigation and adaptation. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions remains central to limiting future warming, they say, while suppliers and policymakers will likely need to plan for changed water cycles, enhanced monitoring and new management strategies to cope with more variable supplies.
The losses in Switzerland reflect a broader pattern of glacier decline observed in many mountain regions around the world. Scientists say the episode underscores the urgency of international efforts to address the root causes of climate change and to prepare societies for its accelerating impacts.