The white magic is wearing thin

Until now, the white snow has been able to hide the effects of climate change in the Alps, but not this winter. Last week I was back in the high altitudes of the Engadine mountains to take some recent photos, and what I saw was quite alarming.

There is little snow, and even at 3000 and 4000 meters above sea level it is very limited. The fresh snow is the source of new ice and thus feeds the glaciers. After the hot summer of last year, a thick snow cover would be the best thing that could happen, unfortunately this fresh snow is missing so far in the current winter.

I have been visiting these mountains for many years and have seen the effects of climate change first hand. Warmer temperatures caused by climate change are causing the snow to melt earlier in the year, giving the glaciers less time to form new ice. The result is that glaciers will continue to lose volume and continue to shrink.

Over the next few weeks, I will be allowed to exhibit photos of the Engadin mountains in the main tent of the Snow Polo Tournament and then at the White Turf in St. Moritz.

As a photographer my goal is not only to raise awareness, but to motivate each individual to make the right choices in their lives and their environments, and to shape their surroundings as much as possible in harmony with nature. Whether we can achieve a turnaround of climate change is certainly justified question nevertheless, I think it is important that everyone does what is possible in his own context.