Glacier Melting and Its Impacts/वैश्विक तापमान वृद्धि कैसे प्रभावित कर रही है विश्व भर के पर्वतीय क्षेत्रों को:

What’s Happening?

• • Glaciers are melting at an unprecedented rate due to global warming. According to the World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS), glaciers in Greenland and Antarctica have lost over 9,000 billion tonnes of ice since 1975, equivalent to the size of Germany.
  • Between 2000 and 2016, the global mass loss of glaciers was 133 billion tonnes annually, contributing significantly to sea-level rise.
  • In the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) report, mountain glaciers are melting faster than lower-altitude ones, with a 30% loss of glacier mass since 1975.
• Consequences:
  • Sea-Level Rise: Melting glaciers contribute to rising sea levels, with an annual mass change of 302 gigatonnes (Gt) of ice loss, leading to a 1 mm per year rise in sea levels.
  • Water Supply Issues: Glaciers are critical water sources for downstream communities. Their rapid melting disrupts water availability, leading to shortages.
  • Ecosystem Disruption: Melting glaciers affect ecosystems by altering water temperatures and availability, impacting aquatic life and biodiversity.

2. Accelerating Permafrost Thaw:

• What’s Happening?
  • Permafrost (permanently frozen ground) in high-altitude mountain regions is thawing at an accelerated rate due to rising temperatures.
  • This thaw releases organic carbon and other nutrients into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change by increasing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Consequences:
  • Increased Greenhouse Gases: Thawing permafrost releases methane and carbon dioxide, potent greenhouse gases that further accelerate global warming.
  • Geological Instability: Thawing permafrost destabilizes mountain slopes, increasing the risk of landslides, rockfalls, and other hazards.

3. Decline in Snow Cover:

• What’s Happening?
  • Snow cover in mountain regions has significantly reduced, with a 7.5% decrease in persistent snow cover between 1979 and 2022, according to a 2024 study.
  • The reduction is more pronounced in new snow and previously unmelted snow, indicating a shift in precipitation patterns (more rain than snow).
• Consequences:
  • Water Resource Strain: Reduced snow cover affects water availability for downstream communities, as snowmelt is a key water source.
  • Impact on Ecosystems and Tourism: Less snow impacts winter tourism (e.g., skiing) and disrupts ecosystems dependent on seasonal snow.

4. Erratic Snowfall Patterns:

• What’s Happening?
  • Global warming is causing erratic snowfall patterns in mountain regions. While some areas experience reduced snowfall, others see extreme snowfall events due to increased moisture in the atmosphere.
  • The UNESCO report notes that warmer temperatures are shifting precipitation from snow to rain, particularly in lower-altitude regions.
• Consequences:
  • Flooding Risks: Increased rainfall instead of snow leads to higher runoff and flooding risks in downstream areas.
  • Agricultural Impact: Erratic snowfall affects agriculture in regions dependent on snowmelt for irrigation.

5. Global Mass Loss of Glaciers:

• Data Insights:
  • A graph in the article shows the annual mass loss of glaciers (in meters of water equivalent per year) from 1975 to 2020. The loss has accelerated over time, with a peak loss of 0.80 meters in recent years.
  • The cumulative loss of glacier mass has been significant, contributing to the global sea-level rise of 302 gigatonnes annually.
• Implications:
  • The accelerated glacier melt is a clear indicator of climate change, with long-term consequences for water resources, sea levels, and global climate patterns.

6. Why This is Significant:

• Economic and Social Impact:
  • Mountain regions support 300 million people globally, providing water, food, and energy resources. The rapid changes in these regions threaten livelihoods, especially for communities dependent on glacier-fed rivers.
  • Reduced snow and glacier melt will impact agriculture, hydropower, and water supply in downstream areas.
• Environmental Impact:
  • The loss of glaciers and snow cover disrupts ecosystems, affecting biodiversity and increasing the risk of natural disasters like floods and landslides.
  • Thawing permafrost releases greenhouse gases, creating a feedback loop that worsens global warming.
• Call for Action:
  • Experts like Sudeep Thakuri from the World Meteorological Organization emphasize the need for robust climate policies to mitigate these impacts.
  • The article highlights the urgency of addressing climate change to protect mountain regions and their downstream communities.

7. Climate Explained: Why This is Significant

• Billion People Affected: Around 1 billion people downstream of mountain regions are at risk due to changes in water availability and increased natural hazards.
• Feedback Loops: Melting glaciers and thawing permafrost create feedback loops that accelerate global warming, making it harder to mitigate climate change.
• Policy Frameworks: The article stresses the need for global policy frameworks to address these issues, as current efforts are insufficient to curb the rapid changes in mountain regions.

Summary:

The article underscores the severe impacts of global warming on mountain regions, including accelerated glacier melting, permafrost thaw, declining snow cover, and erratic snowfall patterns. These changes have far-reaching consequences, such as rising sea levels, water scarcity, increased natural hazards, and ecosystem disruption. With 300 million people directly dependent on mountain resources and 1 billion downstream at risk, the article calls for urgent climate action and robust policy frameworks to mitigate these effects and protect vulnerable regions.