Photos Of Switzerland's Glacier 15 Years Apart Show Rapid Climate Change Effects

Climate change is dramatically reshaping our planet, with rising temperatures causing extreme weather events and widespread environmental impacts. From more frequent heatwaves to severe storms, these effects are extensive. A striking example of this is the rapid melting of glaciers. Recently, an X user captured Switzerland’s Rhone Glacier over a span of 15 years.

Duncan Porter, in a recent post, shared two pictures highlighting the impact of climate change on the glacier. The first photo, taken 15 years ago, features Porter and a woman with the glacier’s vast expanse in the background. The second, a recent image, shows the glacier’s significant retreat, showing the dramatic change over time. He wrote, “Fifteen years minus one day between these photos. Taken at the Rhone glacier in Switzerland today. Not gonna lie, it made me cry.”

Since being posted online, Porter’s post garnered significant attention online, racking up over 4 million views. Many took to comment section to express the concerns over the effects of climate change,

One user commented, “We used to think that #ClimateChange was a “slow-moving” problem. But an entire glacier just vanished in 15 years. We have no time to waste. #EndClimateSilence #EndFossilFuels.”

Another shared, “This picture reminds me of visiting the natural history museum of Vienna about a decade ago – they had an exhibition about “our disappearing glaciers” back then and I cannot imagine how much worse it might be now.”

Someone else urged, “Take a look at this photo and really let it rest with you for a moment,” and another added, “We are IN CLIMATE CHANGE now. It’s not coming, we are in it. Mainstream News doesn’t cover the devastation being wrecked around the world which is downright criminal.”

“Glaciers respond to climate, not weather. And the climate is clearly changing,” a person pointed out.

“So what is anyone doing about it? Taking photos and crying? It’s happening before everyone’s faces and yet nobody seems to actually build up the urge to make a difference,” another wrote.

The comments continued to pour in with one person writing, “Oh… the snow… oh my goodness… We’re never going to GET back…,” while another shared, “This. Is. Terrifying.”

A similar scenario was captured by photographer Neil Drake, who recreated a 1918 photo of an Arctic glacier to highlight its dramatic melt over the past 104 years.

Sharing the images on Reddit, Drake wrote, “Two photos of the same glacier in the Arctic taken 104 years apart.”