Recent studies reveal concerning facts about our planet’s glaciers. In the Alps, only 110 out of about 3,200 glaciers may survive into the next century. Meanwhile, the Pyrenees in the Iberian Peninsula are set to lose their last 15 glaciers by the mid-2030s.
If we can keep global warming to 1.5°C or 2°C, in line with the Paris Agreement, the Alps are still projected to lose 87% to 92% of their glaciers. However, if temperatures rise by 4°C—something we were trending towards before the 2015 climate accord—nearly all Alpine glaciers would vanish by 2100, leaving just 20 behind.
Most Central European glaciers are expected to melt away in the next 20 years. Scientists predict that “peak extinction” will likely occur soon after 2025.
Glaciers in northern regions, like those in Iceland and the Russian Arctic, might stand a better chance of survival. According to expert Van Tricht, these glaciers hold large volumes of ice and are less sensitive to temperature changes. However, smaller Alpine glaciers are very vulnerable; for instance, the Rhône glacier can only withstand a rise of 2.7°C.
The Rocky Mountains in Western Canada and the U.S. are facing similar challenges. Under a warming scenario of 2.7°C, a staggering 96% of the nearly 18,000 glaciers there could disappear this century. This highlights a broader trend: as global temperatures rise, glacial regions everywhere are feeling the heat.
Overall, the crisis facing our glaciers reflects a larger environmental issue. According to a recent report from the World Glacier Monitoring Service, the planet has already lost over 28 trillion tons of ice in the past 50 years, causing sea levels to rise and affecting ecosystems worldwide. As we contemplate the future of our glaciers, it’s essential to remember that their fate is intertwined with our own.
For more detailed information on glacial changes, you can refer to the Cambridge Journal article.
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Climate adaptation,Climate change,Emissions,Environment,Water
