Being Vice-chair of the climate change charity WRAP means I’m well aware of all the compelling data and information around the impact of climate change. Sometimes however, it just jumps out at you from your own personal experience.
I’ve been skiing with a group of friends in Argentiere – in the Chamonix Valley – for many years. At the summit of the Bochard lift, there is a viewpoint where you get beautiful views of Mont Blanc. Not surprisingly I’ve taken many a picture there.
From that point, you also get a sight of the Mere de Glace, a huge glacier that runs down the north side of the Mont Blanc massif. We have skied it a number of times, down the 20km+ Valley Blanche run.
I was recently organising some pictures and found two taken from the top of the Bochard: one in 2008 and one in 2017. Looking more closely, what struck me was how much the Mere de Glace had dropped in just 9 years. Talking to friends who have been on the glacier recently, it’s dropped even more – and faster.
To all those who don’t think climate change is happening, just go and take a look for yourself!