Today there are 215,000 glaciers in the world. Even if the Paris Agreement’s 1.5 degree goal is maintained, more than half of it will melt away by the end of the century.
This is demonstrated by a new study published in the journal Science.
– Each increase in temperature ensures more melt, Regine Hock, co-author of the study, tells AFP.
If global warming continues at its current rate, which corresponds to an increase of 2.7 degrees Celsius, more than 68% of glaciers could disappear.
The scale and consequences of such a meltdown could be much greater than previously thought.
Flew in the snow by helicopter
It calls for cuts in greenhouse gases
Melting glaciers can contribute to rising sea levels, threaten the water supply of billions of people, and increase the risk of floods and other natural disasters.
If the temperature rises by just 1.5 degrees, mean sea level could rise by 9 centimetres. If the current trend continues, the increase is likely to be 11.5 centimetres.
These scenarios suggest a 23% increase over previous research.
Now the researchers are sounding the alarm and underlining the importance of reducing global greenhouse gas emissions to limit the consequences of the melting of glaciers.
Fear another winter of crisis
– End of skiing
Worse, it will affect small glaciers, which are an important source of both water and employment for millions of people. This is especially true in central Europe and the high mountain areas of Asia.
– In these regions there are many small glaciers. They are truly at the heart of society and the economy in these places, said Dr David Rounce, who is the study’s lead author The Guardian.
The Alps and the Pyrenees are mountainous areas that are in danger of losing most of their glaciers. By 2050, glaciers are predicted to be 70% smaller, with the smallest of them already completely gone.
The snow-capped mountain tops will then be replaced by rocks. This will create challenges for ski resorts. This was stated by Wim Thiery, professor of climate at the University of Brussels Sky News who is pessimistic about their future
– By the end of the century, skiing in the Alps as we know it will be over, he says.
This winter has been particularly warm in Europe. Several countries set heat records for January, including Poland, which recorded a temperature 4 degrees hotter than its previous record.
– The crisis is not over
– There is hope
While the study’s findings aren’t the most encouraging for the climate, study author Regine Hock believes the worst losses can be avoided.
– Whether that happens or not will depend on world decision makers, he says.
– If you reduce the temperature rise, the loss of glaciers will be reduced. In this sense there is also some hope, he adds.
