In news– A study conducted by the UN body has found that a third of the glaciers on the UNESCO World Heritage list are under threat, regardless of efforts to limit temperature increases.
Key findings-
- The UNESCO study, in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), showed that these glaciers have been retreating at an accelerated rate since 2000 due to CO2 emissions, which are warming temperatures.
- They are currently losing 58 billion tons of ice every year – equivalent to the combined annual water use of France and Spain – and are responsible for nearly 5% of observed global sea-level rise.
- Researchers have identified a total of 18,600 glaciers in these 50 sites. Together, these glaciers cover around an area of 66,000 sq km.
- The glaciers under threat are in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America and Oceania.
- The study said, it was still possible to save the other two-thirds, if the rise in global temperatures did not exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to the pre-industrial era.
- In addition to drastically reduced carbon emissions, UNESCO is advocating for the creation of a new international fund for glacier monitoring and preservation.
- Such a fund would support comprehensive research, promote exchange networks between all stakeholders and implement early warning and disaster risk reduction measures.
- Half of humanity depends directly or indirectly on glaciers as their water source for domestic use, agriculture, and power.
- This study highlights the urgent need to cut greenhouse gas emissions and invest in nature-based solutions, which can help mitigate climate change and allow people to better adapt to its impacts.
- Fifty UNESCO World Heritage sites are home to glaciers, representing almost 10% of the Earth’s total glacier area.
- They include the highest (next to Mt Everest), the longest (in Alaska), and the last remaining glaciers in Africa.
Source: The Hindu
