This week the collapse of a glacier in Swiss Alps has reduced the effects of a warming world on the snow -filled parts of the planet Earth.
When the melting birch glacier declined on Wednesday, it attacked the picturesque village of Blaton in the southern Wallis region of the country. A The debris mound has closed the road to the Lonza River, which has increased the risk of floods.
About the stores of glaciers and snow sheets 70%of the world’s freshwater reserve. The area of the high altitude region dubbed the world’s “water towers” because they slowly release melted water in summer, maintain cities And Farm In the below direction.
Two billion Researchers say that people rely on melting glacial melting globally for their day-to-day water needs. Nevertheless, as the world is hot, ice is melting.
Glaciers around the world are now melting twice twice, which was measured two decades ago. Between 2000 and 2023, he lost an ice mass equal to 46,000 great pyramids of Giza.
And it is affecting communities around the world. Some areas are left with very little water, while others struggle too much.
shineAciers is an important freshwater resource
Huraz, a resident of the city of small western Peru, pulled out about 20% of his annual water supply from snow. But Andian Glacier is melting faster than elsewhere.
This poses a risk of floods. In a dickadelong trial, a resident of Huraz filed a case against a German energy company from a Mountain Lake at a possible risk of his home, filling up with melted water at a rapid rate.
Molten water DFreedom Infrastructure, makes mountains unattractive
It is not only in Peru that huge glacial lakes are formed when the glaciers melt. Whereas Y becomes very full, deadly floods can wash buildings, bridges and wipe fertile land, such as in Pakistan, Where a glacial lake exploded October 2023.
He The same month in neighboring India, a lake of melted ice was swept away and 179 people died. Scientists estimate that globally, at least 15 million people are unsafe for sudden floods with stutter ice, Detention Of Tham LiviIn NG India and Pakistan. Since 1990, the amount of water in the mountain lakes increased by about 50%.
The collapse of the birch glacier in Switzerland created a landslide of rock and ice, which covered most of the 300-fighter village of blast in mud. Although the residents were evacuated as a precaution, a man is missing What scientists called the latest dramatic example of the impact of climate change on the Alps.
Shrinking Water supply for agriculture, power generation
As soon as the glaciers shrink, they finally reach a threshold – known as a peak water – on which the runoff falls. As a result, low melted water flows downwards with potential far -reaching consequences.
Low water supply has forced local farmers who traditionally grive corn and wheat, so that they could change both their crops and water management. Some communities in the Andes have now switched to increase the diversity of a bitter potato which is more flexible to pass.
Unstable water supply is preventing power generation. In Chile, 27% of the electrical power generates from hydroelectric, which significantly depends on meltwater. In 2021, Alto Mapo plans to stop whether due to declining flow.
Melting Snow sheet Sea level is rising
It is not only a glacier in high altitude that are melting, but also that in the sea, like thwites glacier in Western Antarctica. This frosty is the size of the veteran American state of Florida and is “very unstable”. Scientists have said that this is Melting on all sides.
melt The severity of the sea snow contributes to the rising levels of the sea. Thwights Glacier is dubbed “Doomsed Glacier”, which some researchers have said “sudden” to increase sea level.
In In the last 25 years, the global sea level has increased by about 2 cm (0.7 inches) due to melting the glaciers. This may not look too much, but the lower islands such as Fiji and Vanuatu in the Pacific Ocean are at risk of disappearing under the waves. In addition, more than 1 billion people in megacity like Jakarta, Mumbai, Lagos and Manila live within 10 kilometers (about 6 mi) of the coast. The protective dike is only a temporary solution, as the sea level keeps rising.
Snow in traditional danger
Glaciers Therefore, have spiritual and cultural significance. Every year, thousands of pilgrims gather in one of the holiest glaciers of Peru for a religious festival. In the past, snow blocks were carved from glacier and taken to local communities that believed in their healing properties. But as the glacier disappears, this ancient tradition is in danger.
Low snowfall for alpine ski resorts
A popular destination for the skier has allegedly lost a third of its volume since 1990, a popular destination for Skier. European Alps is expected to fall by 42% by the end of the natural snow. Scientists estimate that many ski resorts worldwide will not be profitable in future.
Warning system and artificial glacier can help
local Some of these may be suited to dangers, In the village of Pakistan The initial warning system has been set up to monitor activity in Hasanabad, nearby Shisper Glacier. What warnings should be required, it can be communicated through external speakers in the village.
In Neighbor Ladakh region, researchers are experimenting with growing Artificial glacier Summer can reduce water scarcity to meet this challenge.
But thesis strategies Only one point can work. The scientist says that the best way to deal with the glaciers is to slow down the rising temperature to heat the earth.
Edited by: anke rasper
