A Scientific AI Predicts the Alps Will Soon Lose Up to 65% of Their Ice Volume

By 2050, the European Alps could lose up to 34% of their ice volume even if, by an unlikely scenario, global warming were to suddenly cease.

This prediction stems from a ground-breaking computer model associated with artificial intelligence, resulting from the collaboration between the University of Lausanne, the University of Grenoble, ETH Zurich, and the University of Zurich. The model, which incorporates machine learning algorithms and climate data up to 2022, highlights the inertia of the climate-glacier system, suggesting that glaciers will continue to shrink even in the absence of new greenhouse gas emissions.


However, the most realistic scenario is less comforting. Without drastic changes, the melting trend observed over the last twenty years could lead to nearly half (46%) of the Alps' ice volume disappearing by 2050, a figure that could even reach 65% based on data from the past ten years.

This study, published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, stands out for its short-term perspective, aiming to make predictions more concrete and urgent for our generation. It raises crucial questions about the future of our water reserves, the impact on infrastructure, and the natural environment of the region.

Utilizing artificial intelligence to refine these models marks a significant advancement. Researchers used deep learning methods to train their model to incorporate complex physical concepts from actual climatic and glaciological data, making projections both more accurate and efficient.

This study confronts us with a concerning reality: even by stopping global warming today, we are already on a path of significant alpine glacier loss. The need to act is more pressing than ever to try to preserve this natural heritage for future generations.