Tribute to Professor Konrad Steffen, died in a tragic accident

“Koni loved to be out there: He has spent so much of his life in polar regions and has reserved every year time to travel to the poles. This has also shaped his career: he witnessed the effect of climate change where it hits the most and provided data and evidence of our vanishing cryosphere. Koni has been on the forefront of not only advancing the evidence on melting ice but also on communicating this to the broader public. His work for the International Panel for Climate Change (IPCC), helping Al Gore with his scientific insight and bringing Doris Leuthard, our past Federal Councilor, to his “Swiss Camp” in Greenland, are only a few examples on his great success in voicing the consequences of climate change.

Koni leaves very big footsteps in the polar snow. He died while being at his “Swiss Camp” in a tragic accident. He leaves us behind sad but thankful for his contributions.”

Michael Lehning, Director of the Laboratory of Cryospheric Sciences at EPFL and WSL.

• Book of condolence