THREATS FROM GLACIERS SHOULD BE IN SAME RISK CATEGORY AS CYCLONES AND QUAKES

Climate Crisis Impact on Glaciers:

• World Meteorological Organization’s report, “The Global Climate 2011-2020,” highlights glaciers as a crucial indicator of the climate crisis.
• From 2011 to 2020, global glaciers thinned by approximately one meter per year on average, reflecting the impact of greenhouse gas emissions.

Regional Variability and Overall Pattern:

• Despite significant regional differences, a consistent trend shows glaciers shrinking across all world regions.
• Reference glaciers, used for long-term assessments, are disappearing as winter snow, essential for glacier health, melts away during summers.

Projected Disappearance of African Glaciers:

• Glaciers on the Rwenzori Mountains and Mount Kenya in Africa are projected to vanish by 2030, with those on Kilimanjaro following by 2040.
• Rapid growth of pro-glacial lakes and the risk of glacier lake outburst floods (GLOF) pose additional threats to ecosystems and livelihoods.

Impact on Catastrophic Events:

• Glacial melt contributed to significant flooding disasters, such as the Uttarakhand floods of June 2013.
• Recent GLOF events, like the destruction of the Chungthang dam in Sikkim, emphasize the urgency of addressing glacier-related risks.

Accelerated Disappearance in Hindu Kush Himalayas:

• A separate report by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development reveals glaciers in the Hindu Kush Himalayas disappearing 65% faster in the 2010s than the previous decade.
• Global greenhouse gas emissions’ current trajectory may lead to a 55% to 75% decline in glacier volume by the end of the century.

Need for Early Warning Systems:

• Despite awareness of Himalayan glacier risks, there is no early warning system for potential GLOF events.
• Urgent need to elevate glacier-related threats to the same risk category as cyclones, floods, and earthquakes.

Comprehensive Risk Assessments and Infrastructure Development:

• Emphasizes the importance of comprehensive risk assessments, vulnerability mapping, and infrastructure development with high standards of care.
• Calls for authorities to prioritize and address the threats posed by contracting glaciers, ensuring preparedness for potential GLOF events.