By the time you hold this edition of “Swiss Review”, or read it online, Switzerland’s exceptionally hot, dry summer will be in the past. An extreme summer of record temperatures, depleted groundwater levels, animal feed shortages, tinder-dry forests, and increased hospital admissions caused by the heat. Our glaciers also suffered badly, although these masses of ice have been melting for quite some time already. Since 2000, Switzerland’s 1,400 or so glaciers have diminished in volume by almost 40 per cent. As global warming continues unabated, they are set to melt even faster.
What is it like up there on the ice? How do the scientists work out how quickly and by how much the glaciers are melting? And what would it mean if these stunning natural wonders vanished completely? Glaciers define the Swiss Alps. They act as reservoirs and are popular tourist magnets of cultural value.
“Swiss Review” visited the mountains to find out. Our editor and our photographer put on their crampons and observed as two scientists from ETH Zurich took readings on the Scex Rouge glacier in the Vaud Alps. Their findings are sobering, as we explain in our lead article. But a prominent Swiss glaciologist tells us he has not lost all hope.
Thanks to the blistering summer, this year’s National Day celebrations were relatively muted. Fireworks were banned almost everywhere because of the risk of fires. This ban could become permanent – if the electorate endorses a popular initiative seeking to restrict their use across Switzerland. The debate ahead of the 29 November vote has polarised opinion, not least within our editorial team.
Three other items will appear on the ballot sheet, including the referendum on a proposed VAT hike to fund the 13th state pension payment, which was approved by voters in 2024 and will be made to all eligible recipients at the end of 2026. Parliament’s decision to increase VAT was preceded by much political wrangling. We look back at this debate and explain the formalities of the 13th payment to all Swiss Abroad.
State pension; National Day fireworks; glaciers – Switzerland in a nutshell. We all have some say on these issues. And not just at the ballot box.
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