“Devastating Before and After: Man’s Photos Show Drastic Melting of Switzerland’s Rhone Glacier”
Glaciers worldwide are rapidly melting due to climate change, with rising global temperatures fueling the shrinking of these colossal ice formations. Recently, a man shared two pictures that vividly capture the devastating impact of climate change on Switzerland’s Rhone Glacier.
The first picture shows the man and a woman standing against the backdrop of the white glacier 15 years ago. In stark contrast, the second picture taken recently shows a very different scene, with the glacier visibly smaller and receded. The man, identified as Duncan Porter, shared these images on social media, expressing his sadness at the drastic changes he witnessed.
According to a LinkedIn post by a charity called Protect Earth, Porter is a volunteer who actively works to combat the escalating climate and biodiversity crises. His post has garnered over 1.8 million views and has sparked a wave of concern and discussion among users.
Many users expressed their shock and sadness at the melting glacier, with one individual commenting, “You’re both doing far better than the glacier.” Another user pointed out the historical trend of glacier retreat, stating, “Glaciers have been retreating since the 1800s.”
In a report by the New York Times, glacier scientist Daniel Farinotti shared that Rhone Glacier has retreated approximately half a kilometer since 2007, with a large glacial pond forming at its base. Farinotti explained that the darkening surface of the glacier absorbs more sunlight, leading to increased melting. It is projected that Rhone Glacier, one of Switzerland’s largest glaciers, will shrink by at least 68 percent by the end of the century.
The pictures shared by Duncan Porter serve as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to address climate change and its devastating effects on our planet. The rapid melting of glaciers like Rhone Glacier highlights the pressing need for global action to mitigate the impacts of climate change before it’s too late.