In a poignant reminder of climate change’s impact, a recent social media post has gone viral, showing dramatic changes in Switzerland’s Rhone Glacier over the past 15 years. Shared by user Duncan Porter on X (formerly Twitter), the post has garnered significant attention, with over 3.9 million views and 76,000 likes.
Porter’s post features two photographs taken in front of the Rhone Glacier. The first image, captured 15 years ago, depicts Porter and a companion with the majestic glacier in the background. In stark contrast, the second image, taken recently, shows a significantly receded glacier, emphasizing the dramatic environmental changes that have occurred.
“Fifteen years minus one day between these photos,” Porter wrote. “Taken at the Rhone Glacier in Switzerland today. Not gonna lie, it made me cry.” The visible retreat of the glacier underscores the broader issue of glacier melting driven by rising global temperatures.
The post has sparked widespread reactions from users on social media. Many expressed shock and concern over the rapid pace of environmental degradation. One user commented, “Same for me when I go to Graubuenden and see the state of the glaciers around the Bernina Pass; they have reduced dramatically over the 25 years I have been going there.”
Another user reflected, “People grow old and hairlines, and glaciers recede. That’s life on earth! Long after we’re dust, glaciers will once again cover Earth. Fact.”
The emotional response highlights a growing awareness of the urgency of climate action. As the United Nations reported last year, the world’s glaciers are melting at unprecedented rates, with the past eight years being the warmest ever recorded. The rise in global temperatures and greenhouse gas concentrations has led to alarming environmental consequences, including record-high sea levels and ocean temperatures.
Porter’s photos serve as a stark visual representation of the broader issue of climate change, emphasizing the need for immediate action to address this global crisis. As glaciers continue to retreat and climate indicators hit new records, the urgency for comprehensive environmental strategies and policies becomes increasingly apparent.
Sources By Agencies
