Alarming Update: Glaciers in the Alps Melting at Unprecedented Rate, Only a Few Left by 2050

Feb 24, 2024 at 2:59 PM Update: 2 hours ago

Glaciers worldwide, especially in the Alps, are in dire straits. Global warming is causing the ice masses to melt. Scientists see this happening faster and faster. “By 2050, there will be only a few glaciers left in the Alps.”

When Hans Oerlemans is asked about his favorite glacier, the emeritus professor of Meteorology does not have to think long. He has visited the Morteratsch Glacier in Switzerland more than a hundred times to study the state of the ice. And it is “miserable,” says Oerlemans.

The glacier, a moving mass of ice about 6 kilometers long, is shortening by 20 to 30 meters every year in the low-lying parts. And that image is typical of all large glaciers in Europe, Oerlemans tells NU.nl from Switzerland. “They’re getting smaller and smaller.” According to the scientist, this is happening faster and faster worldwide.

Glaciologist Harry Zekollari has been researching the more than four thousand glaciers in the Alps for years. Just like Oerlemans, this scientist has also seen the condition of the ice masses deteriorating for years. “In addition, last year and the year before were dramatic for European glaciers,” says Zekollari. “In Switzerland, about 10 percent has already disappeared in that short period of time.”

No glacier left if warming continues

This is due to a rise in temperature. In the last few years, but especially decades. A glacier feeds on snow, and cold air then ensures that the snow no longer melts away. The pressure then ensures that the snow is converted into ice. But due to climate change, less snow falls and glaciers are melting faster.

A glacier reacts slowly to weather conditions and lags behind by about thirty to forty years. “If we could keep the climate constant from now on, they would still shrink for years,” says Oerlemans. “Even then, in 2050 you will only have a few glaciers left in the Alps. A lot of small glaciers have already disappeared.”

This pessimistic picture is confirmed by scientific publications. Like this wrote scientists last year that even if the Paris agreement (limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, ed.) is respected, a quarter of the world’s glaciers will still disappear by 2100.

And that’s still an optimistic scenario; The Earth is currently heading towards 2.5 to 2.9 degrees of warming. If this continues, there will no longer be a glacier in the Alps, both scientists fear.

Rock avalanches and sea level rise

And we notice the consequences of that. In addition to being special natural phenomena, glaciers have important functions for people. The meltwater from glaciers is used in Switzerland and Austria to generate electricity through hydroelectric power stations. And glaciers are a source of drinking water in Europe.

In addition, dangerous situations can arise if glaciers shrink. Rock avalanches, which sometimes occur when a glacier shifts or shrinks, can pose problems for both tourism and transport in the mountain regions.

But scientists also predict consequences of the disappearing ice masses on a global scale. For example in the Netherlands: the meltwater from glaciers can cause sea levels to rise. “Although the effect of the Alpine glaciers alone is minimal,” says Oerlemans.

The consequences are much more drastic when you add everything up, including the glaciers in the Himalayas, Alaska and the Andes. In that case, sea levels would rise by thirty centimeters, a recent study shows.

The disappearance of the Alpine glaciers also has an effect on rivers. The water level then decreases because melt water no longer ends up in the river. An example is the Rhine, into which the melted water of the Swiss glaciers flows.

A lack of meltwater therefore causes drought, which in turn can have consequences for agriculture. But according to the scientists, this effect is still small in Europe.

Giant ‘fleece blanket’ protects Rhône Glacier

Some countries are experimenting with technological solutions to prevent melting. For example, mountain regions are looking at the effects of snow spraying on the glaciers. And Switzerland has the famous Rhône Glacier with a gigantic UV-resistant ‘fleece blanket’ packed. The blanket must keep out the heat during the summer months.

Oerlemans thinks this is a great initiative. But the scientist also thinks that this kind of solution is more of a drop in the ocean: it only offers solutions for the local consequences of one shrinking glacier. “We cannot use technology to tackle the global problem. To do that, we will have to limit global warming.”

Zekollari agrees. “Whether our grandchildren will see glaciers depends on what we do now to reduce our emissions.”

The Rhône Glacier in Switzerland is wrapped up against melting. Photo: Getty
2024-02-24 13:59:59


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