Climate change is doing more than just melting glaciers in the Alps—it’s actually shifting the border between Italy and Switzerland!
CNN and other media outlets reported that the Swiss government has acknowledged how melting glaciers are redrawing the natural landscape and redefining national borders. Italy is set to approve the border change based on an agreement made last year to realign the boundary between the two countries.
The border between Italy and Switzerland spans about 359 miles (approximately 578 km), with around 25 miles (about 40 km) covered by glaciers. One of the highest peaks in the Alps, the Matterhorn (14,692 ft), also lies along this border.
In Switzerland, glaciers lost 4% of their volume last year, marking the second-largest decrease following a 6% reduction in 2022.
CNN reported that this situation signals how much humanity is altering the world through fossil fuel usage, driving up the speed of global warming. Europe is experiencing the fastest temperature change, with its effects prominently visible in the glaciers.
Matthias Huss, a glaciologist from the University of Zurich and director of the Swiss Glacier Monitoring Network (GLAMOS), emphasized that despite heavy snowfall in the winter of 2024, glaciers are still melting at an alarming rate. And unfortunately, they show no signs of stopping.
Italy and Switzerland are expected to announce the exact changes to the new border once they’ve approved the realignment.
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