UNESCO Pessimistic report: Recently published UNESCO reportagencies UN dealing with, among others The study of climate change and their impact on people's lives is not optimistic. Melting and retreating glaciers can threaten food and water safety two billion people. The climate crisis causes the glaciers to retreat and reduction rainfall in mountain regions.
Why does the melting of glaciers affect agriculture? About a billion people live near the mountains, but a food threat can affect up to twice as much a population. Agriculture largely depends on the waters flowing down the mountains that are powered from melting snow and ice. Mountain glaciers belong to the largest resources of fresh water on earth. It all depends on the melting rate and when it occurs. The water should be released in warmer periods and remain in the permanent state during winter. Higher temperatures are disturbing this process.
Growing phenomenon: As research indicates, in some places in eastern Africa, the glaciers decreased by as much as 80 percent. In the Andes over less than 30 years, losses reach from one third to half. In Europe glaciers suffered the most in the Alps and Pyrenees, losing about 40 percent coverings. One of the recent studies predicts that by the end of the 21st century we will lose half of the global glacial mass.
Trouble not only for the poor: – water flows down, but Food uncertainty goes up. The mountains provide 60 percent Our sweet water, but communities that protect these key resources, belong to the most endangered food shortage – said Alvaro Lario, president of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and chairman of UN -Water. Areas in developing countries are particularly at risk, but not only. Drought has also covered regions such as the American Stan Colorado, where the problem has been occurring for almost a quarter of a century.
Not only water shortage: Less water, drought and food shortages are just one of the problems resulting from the melting of glaciers. Ice surface It also reflects sunlight. If it runs out, sunny heat will be absorbed by the dark surface of the earth, heating it even more.
Higher temperatures are also more fast flowing rainwhich additionally falling on the snow will increase the number of avalanches. Rapid release of water from glaciers can lead to floods on the slopes and valleys. In turn, melting eternal cold releases methane from the discovered mountain soils. The EU has launched the Liquidice program, under which numerous experts are examining in detail how melting the ice cover affects the climate. However, the study itself is not enough, and without taking decisive actions, numerous difficulties involving changes will deepen.
Read also: Warm winter is already causing problems. Poland needs rain
Sources: UNESCO, The Guardian, nortresearch.no