In the heart of Switzerland, in the imposing Gotthard massif, the reality of climate change is becoming painfully visible. The glaciers that have dominated this area for centuries are melting at an alarming rate. Where once lay vast ice masses, bare rock and meltwater streams now appear.
The Gotthard massif is a major water reservoir of Europe. Declining glaciers are putting increasing pressure on the natural water supply. Waterfalls carry less water, and streams that once flowed permanently fall dry more often in summer.
The landscape is also changing dramatically. Early in the season, rock previously covered with snow and ice is exposed. It not only slows down melting, but also affects the visual character of this mountain world.
The Gotthard massif thus symbolises the wider effects of global warming. Not just for Switzerland, but for the whole of Europe. The melting of these glaciers reminds us how fragile our natural balance is.
Welcome to my photo gallery. Living close to the Dutch coast myself, as a professional photographer I am also inspired by landscapes of the dunes the beach and the sea. Many images here were taken by a medium format camera and offer unprecedented image quality. I also.. Read more…