Stepping outside, the scene resembled Switzerland, yet the atmosphere felt different. The majestic white-capped Alps stood reflected in the turquoise waters of Lake Lucerne. As I walked along the waterfront, the air was not the usual crisp, cool mountain breeze of my past visits. This time, the weather was scorching and humid, much like Luzon in the Philippines.
Soccer fans dressed in red and white gathered along the waterfront. They watched a FIFA World Cup match between Switzerland and Bosnia-Herzegovina on jumbo TV screens. Each time Switzerland scored, cheers pierced the humid air.
These conditions reminded me of a previous reporting trip to Switzerland. I hiked the Rhône Glacier with a Swiss glaciologist. He explained that his country faces significant climate vulnerability. Temperature extremes occur more often, causing some of the world’s fastest glacier retreats.
Switzerland won the World Cup match that evening. However, it continues to struggle against climate change.
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