Carcass of the Ice Beast

In 2009, thermally reflective blankets were used to cover a large portion of the once-mighty Rhone Glacier, home to Europe's largest man-made ice cave. Intended to slow the glacier's retreat, 15 years later and the battle is lost. The coverings have deteriorated, hanging in tattered shreds over the last blocks of ice, like the torn skin of a colossal, dying beast. Only five years ago, this lake did not exist. As the ice receded away up the mountain, a great depression was left. This quickly filled up with meltwater, or what could be considered, the blood of the glacier. This series reflects on the immense dedication shown by a few determined individuals striving to save their home. Yet, their actions ultimately proved futile. It stands as a powerful reminder that localised efforts alone cannot overcome climate change; only unified, global collaboration can make a difference. With the ice now gone, an urgent mission to retrieve the blankets is underway. If they are not collected, they are at risk of entering the river system, causing further ecological damage. You can observe the blankets rolled up, ready to be airlifted away and disposed of. With 2025 being declared the United Nations International Year of Glacier's Preservation, a global collective response is overdue.