High in the Swiss Alps, the Rhone Glacier has long been a majestic and vital feature of the landscape, serving as the source of the Rhone River and contributing to the waters of Lake Geneva. Despite its slow retreat since the Ice Age, the rapid acceleration of its melting in recent years has alarmed scientists and locals alike. Efforts to slow this retreat, such as covering the glacier with protective blankets during warmer months, highlight the urgency of the situation. However, it was a pair of photos posted by Duncan Porter, a software developer from England, that brought the stark reality of this melting to the forefront of public consciousness. Taken 15 years apart, in August 2009 and August 2024, the images show a dramatic transformation: what was once a vast, icy expanse now reveals a body of water and barren patches of dirt where the glacier has receded. The stark difference between these two images has left many viewers shocked and heartbroken.

The impact of Porter’s images is amplified by the broader context of glacial loss in the region. Since 1850, Alpine glaciers have lost about 60% of their volume, and in Switzerland alone, 10% of this loss occurred within just two years, 2022 and 2023. While a significant increase in snowfall in 2024 offered a reprieve, the long-term damage is evident in the images captured by Porter. Glaciologists like Matthias Huss have underscored the urgency of the situation, showing how even increased snowfall can rapidly disappear under rising temperatures. Despite some dismissive comments from climate change skeptics, who argue that glaciers have always melted, the unprecedented speed of this melting is what truly concerns experts. For Porter, the overwhelming response to his post—both positive and negative—has further fueled his commitment to raising awareness and advocating for action against climate change.