Swiss glaciers lose 5.5% of ice in near-record year

Swiss glaciers lost an estimated 5.5% of their remaining ice over the past year, a near-record melt driven by intense summer heatwaves, according to Glacier Monitoring Switzerland. Scientists warn the rapid loss threatens future water supplies for farming, hydropower and transport, and could destabilise mountain slopes. Meltwater released between July and September reached 2.2 trillion litres.