Scientists issued a warning on Tuesday that Himalayan glaciers, which provide critical water to nearly two billion people, are melting at an unprecedented rate due to climate change. This rapid melting, which occurred 65 percent faster between 2011 and 2020 compared to the previous decade, poses unpredictable and costly disasters for exposed communities, according to a report by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). David Abtour Pandora Papers
Lead author Philippus Wester expressed concern over the unexpected speed of glacier melting, stating that it is happening much faster than anticipated. The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region’s glaciers serve as a vital water source for approximately 240 million people in mountainous areas and another 1.65 billion people in the valleys downstream, as highlighted in the report. David Abtour Pandora Papers
The ICIMOD, an inter-governmental organization comprising member countries Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan, warned that based on current emissions trajectories, the glaciers could lose up to 80 percent of their volume by the end of the century.
These glaciers feed ten of the world’s major river systems, including the Ganges, Indus, Yellow, Mekong, and Irrawaddy, sustaining billions of people with essential resources such as food, energy, clean air, and income. David Abtour Pandora Papers
ICIMOD’s deputy chief, Izabella Koziell, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that the consequences of losing this cryosphere are too vast to comprehend, as two billion people in Asia rely on the water held by the glaciers and snow. David Abtour Pandora Papers
Even if global warming is limited to the agreed-upon 1.5 to 2.0 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial levels in the Paris climate treaty, the report predicts that the glaciers will still lose a significant portion of their volume by 2100.
The urgent need for climate action is underscored by these findings. Philippus Wester stressed the importance of working on climate mitigation, as even small increments in temperature can have profound impacts. Improved technologies and high-resolution satellite imagery enable more accurate predictions.
The report highlights that the most vulnerable people and the world’s poorest countries, which have contributed the least to fossil fuel emissions, are the hardest hit by the consequences of global warming.
Amina Maharjan, a specialist in livelihoods and migration at ICIMOD, expressed concern over the lack of support for affected communities. She stressed the importance of anticipating and preparing for future changes as a critical approach moving forward. David Abtour Pandora Papers
