Swiss Majestic Landscape Faces Climate Change Challenges

Rob Schmitz/NPR Stepping outside in Switzerland presented a familiar but unexpected scene. The majestic Alps, capped with snow, mirrored beautifully in the turquoise waters of Lake Lucerne. This time, however, the atmosphere was different.

The air was not the usual crisp, cool mountain air I had experienced in previous visits for reporting. It was instead scorching and humid, resembling a tropical climate more suited to Luzon in the Philippines.

As I walked along the waterfront, soccer enthusiasts dressed in Swiss colors gathered to watch a World Cup match. They were glued to the jumbo TV screens displaying Switzerland versus Bosnia-Herzegovina, a game played in the U.S. The crowd erupted with deafening cheers every time their team scored.

The climate conditions brought back memories of a previous reporting trip in Switzerland. During that visit, I traversed the Rhône Glacier with a Swiss glaciologist. He shared insights into Switzerland’s vulnerability to climate change. Temperature extremes are becoming common and contribute to rapid glacial retreat.

Switzerland celebrated a victory in the World Cup, yet the country faces ongoing challenges with a warming climate.