Switzerland is on the verge of expanding its national borders, largely due to accelerating climate change.
The expansion comes with the increased melting of glaciers, some of which define part of the country’s 800+ kilometre border with Italy. About 7,000 km of Switzerland’s borders with its neighbors are defined by natural features such as rivers, lakes, mountains and glaciers. Only the last is showing signs of serious change.
So far, there’s little net change as Switzerland has gained a bit and lost a bit, but the long-term pattern of glacial retreat along will likely shift more land. Swiss topographical experts point out that glaciers are mainly on the north sides of mountains, and as they retreat, so does the border, heading south.
Alain Wicht, the key official, pointed out that “when an accident occurs, the question arises as to which country is responsible. And when train lines or roads cross the Alps, it should be clear whether they should stick to Italian or Swiss regulations for their construction and maintenance.”
