Glaciers around the world melt faster than ever, and this can have catastrophic effects. It can reduce water availability for two billion people. In Europe, the most melted glaciers in the Alps and Pyrenees, losing about 40 percent of the cover. One of the recent studies predicts that by the end of the 21st century we will lose half of the global glacial mass.
The glaciers melt faster than ever. This is a shocking conclusion from the latest UNESCO report. – If we look at the last years, we actually had five worst years in history. We observe how we lose glaciers from year to year – says Michael Zemp from the monitoring of glaciers in the world.
The great glacier in the Bernese Alps is 20 kilometers long. It weighs 10 billion tons. Annually, over a million tourists visit it. His future is threatened.
– glaciers in Switzerland have shrunk by about 40 percent since 2000. We lost the 40 percent of these 40 percent in just two years – informs Martina Barandun, a glaciologist from the University of Fryborg.
To stop this process, the average surface temperature of the earth must fall by at least 2 degrees – Swiss scientists alert.
– Our research shows that in Switzerland we will lose at least 70 percent of the total volume of glaciers. This is the best scenario. It is real provided that we do not emit more carbon dioxide after 2050, around the world. This worst scenario says that we can lose all glaciers in Switzerland until 2100 – emphasizes Matthias Huss, director of the glaciers monitoring team in Switzerland.
WWF Polska: Our security is not only defenseMagda Łucyan/Fakty TVN
The melting of glaciers affects the level of seas and oceans
If we do not stop climate change, the glaciers will simply disappear, and this will contribute to economic, environmental and social problems.
– On a globe scale, we have about 275,000 glaciers that disappear quickly. The World Meteorological Organization announced a month ago that 2024 was the warmest year in history. We had several record months in terms of temperature – alerts Stefan Uhlenbrook from the World Meteorological Organization.
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This also affects the water level in the seas. If the glaciers still melt at this pace, until 2100 the water level can increase by a meter. – Protection of glaciers is a necessity, also a strategy for survival – says Stefan Uhlenbrook.
Fastern flood in Zamość, storms in Lesser Poland. Climate change intensifies such phenomenaKatarzyna Górniak/Fakty TVN
An insect that lives in glaciers, threatened
The Patagonian ice dragon from Chile is one of the few creatures that it is able to survive in extreme conditions. The Patagonian dragon spends his whole life in frozen glaciers. The insect can survive at a depth of up to 40 meters. It is considered an indicator of glacial water purity. It works like a natural filter, feeds on algae and bacteria.
– High temperatures make the glaciers melt, and this makes the dragon deprive of the habitat. We combined research on the dragon and how climate change affects the glaciers and habitats of this species. This insect is a guardian of climate change in the region – informs Maribet Gamboa, a scientist from the University of Chile.
On World Water Day, Greenpeace draws attention to another problem – more frequent and longer persistent drought in many regions. Heavy rains bring only apparent, temporary relief and lead to dangerous floods.
Source of the main photo: Reuters