The average temperature climbed to 7.4 degrees Celsius last year from an average 5.8 degrees between 1991 and 2020, the Swiss environment ministry reported on Monday.
This resulted in glaciers losing six percent of their mass – or three cubic kilometres – which is the fastest melt recorded in one year.
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Global warming caused 60% of Swiss heat deaths in summer 2022
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Human-made global warming was responsible for around 60% of Swiss heat deaths last summer.
A string of sweltering temperatures saw a reading of 38.3 degrees in Geneva in August. Only the heatwave of 2003 saw hotter daily temperatures.
Several lakes saw water levels fall to record lows while other watercourses and springs dried up before being revived by late summer rainfall.
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Switzerland risks seeing another record glacier melt in 2023, says glaciologist
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The year 2023 looks set to be another bad one for Swiss glaciers, with snow cover around 30% below the average of the last ten years.
A total of 131 forest fires were reported, which is above the recent annual average of 109.
The months of May until September witnessed 474 heat-related deaths, which is the worst death toll since the 1,402 in 2003.
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Climate change: Swiss cities combat heat islands
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Local authorities across Switzerland are planting trees, replacing asphalt surfaces with green ones or installing misting systems.
The figures were released on the same day as the Geneva-based World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) reported concerns at high sea temperatures and the loss of Antarctic ice.
The WMO could not predict the impact of El Niño on the rising temperature patterns.
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Female gorillas prevent inbreeding by avoiding groups with male relatives
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Female gorillas do not change groups randomly. They avoid the males they grew up with, thus preventing inbreeding, according to a study by the University of Zurich.
Chinese cryptocurrency exchange Jucoin to set up Swiss offshoot
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Zug's Crypto Valley is getting a new addition. The Chinese cryptocurrency exchange Jucoin will set up its European headquarters in Baar, as the company announced on Wednesday.
Natural disasters lead to second most expensive half-year for insurers
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The wildfires in California and storm damage have led to the second most expensive first half of the year ever for the insurance industry.
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Switzerland risks seeing another record glacier melt in 2023, says glaciologist
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The year 2023 looks set to be another bad one for Swiss glaciers, with snow cover around 30% below the average of the last ten years.
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July 2022 in Switzerland was one of the hottest since measurements began in 1864, according to the weather service of the national broadcaster.
Greenpeace warns of global warming impact in Switzerland
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The environmental organisation, Greenpeace, has warned that Switzerland is more affected by global warming than the global average.
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.