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DW
3 days ago
- Science
- DW
What are the real impacts of melting glaciers? – DW – 05/30/2025
Glaciers are the planet's frozen water banks. They sustain water supply, ecosystems, and even cultural traditions. But many of these sprawling beds of ice are melting. Why does that matter? The collapse of a glacier in the Swiss Alps this week has underscored the impacts of a warming world on the ice-packed parts of planet Earth. When the melting Birch glacier on crumbled on Wednesday, it engulfed the picturesque village of Blattern in the country's southern Wallis region. Glaciers and ice sheets store about 70% of the world's freshwater reserves. High- altitude regions are often dubbed the world's "water towers" because they gradually release meltwater in the summer, sustaining towns and farms downstream. Two billion people globally rely on glacial melt for their day-to-day water needs, researchers say. Yet, as the world gets hotter, the ice is thawing. Glaciers around the world are now melting at twice the rate measured just two decades ago. Between 2000 and 2023, they lost an ice mass equivalent to 46,000 Great Pyramids of Giza. And this is impacting communities worldwide. Some regions are left with too little water while others struggle with too much. Melted ice from glaciers in the Andes contributes almost 20% of the annual water supply of Huaraz in Peru Image: Patricioh/Dreamstime/IMAGO Gl aciers as crucial freshwater resource The residents of the small western Peruvian town of Huaraz draw almost 20% of their annual water supply from melting ice. But Andean glaciers are thawing even faster than elsewhere. This poses a risk of flooding. In a decade-long lawsuit, one resident of Huaraz sued a German energy company over the potential risk to his home from a mountain lake that is filling with melt water at rapid rates. A bridge in Hassanabad village, Pakistan partly collapsed when a glacial lake burst and caused flash floods on May 7, 2022 Image: AFP Meltwater d amages infrastructure and makes mountains unstable It is not only in Peru that huge glacial lakes form when glaciers thaw. When they become too full, deadly floods can wash away buildings, bridges and wipe out fertile land, like in Pakistan, where a glacial lake burst in October 2023. The 2023 flood swept away part of the land, houses and a community hall in Hassanabad village, leaving behind steep and dangerous cliffs. Image: Akhtar Soomro/REUTERS That same month in neighboring India, a lake of melted ice overflowed and killed 179 people. Scientists estimate that globally, at least 15 million people are vulnerable to sudden flooding from thawing ice, most of them living in India and Pakistan. Since 1990, the volume of water in mountain lakes has increased by around 50%. The collapse of the Birch glacier in Switzerland caused a landslide of rock and ice that covered most of the 300-strong village of Blatten in mud. Though residents had been evacuated as a precaution, one man is missing in what scientists call the latest dramatic example of climate change's impact on the Alps. There are also now fears that a nearby river will be blocked causing flooding in the region. Swiss glacier collapse partially destroys village of Blatten To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Dwindling water supply for agriculture and electricity generation As glaciers shrink, they eventually reach a threshold — known as peak water — at which runoff declines. As a result, less melt water flows downstream with potentially far-reaching consequences. Reduced water supply has forced local farmers, who traditionally grew corn and wheat, to change both their crops and water management. Some communities in the Andes have now switched to growing a bitter potato variety that is more resilient to drought. Unstable water supply is also stalling electricity production. In Chile, 27% of power is generated by hydroelectric dams which critically depend on meltwater. In 2021, the Alto Maipo plant was shut down due to dwindling flow. Melting ice sheets increase sea levels Massive ice blocks like Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica are retreating at an alarming rate Image: Cover-Images/IMAGO It's not only glaciers in high altitudes that are melting — but also those in the ocean, like Thwaites Glacier in Western Antarctica. This frosty giant is the size of the US state of Florida and has been deemed "very unstable." Scientists say it is thawing on all sides. The melting of sea ice crucially contributes to rising sea levels. Thwaites Glacier has been dubbed "doomsday glacier" for its potential impact on what some researchers call 'abrupt' sea level rise. On the low-lying island of Fuvahmulah in the Maldives, workers are building a dyke to protect the land against sea level rise Image: Christophe Geyres/ABACA/picture alliance In the last 25 years alone, melting glaciers have caused global sea levels to rise almost 2cm (0.7 inches). This might not seem like much, but low-lying islands like Fiji and Vanuatu in the Pacific are at risk of disappearing under the waves. In addition more than 1 billion people in megacities like Jakarta, Mumbai, Lagos, Manila live within ten kilometers from the coast and protective dykes are only a temporary solution as sea levels continue to rise. Ice traditions under threat Pilgrims descend a rock face in Ocongate, Peru after a ceremony on the glacier during the annual Qoyllur Rit'i festival Image:Glaciers also hold spiritual and cultural significance. Every year, tens of thousands of pilgrims gather at one of Peru's most sacred glaciers, the Colquepunco, for a religious festival. In the past, ice blocks were carved from the glacier and carried down to local communities who believed in their healing properties. But as the glacier vanishes, this ancient tradition has come under threat. Less snowfall for Alpine ski resorts One in eight ski resorts could lose its natural snow cover by 2100, making tourists flock to higher altitudes like at Passo Tonale in Italy Image: Nikokvfrmoto/Pond5 Images/IMAGO The Presena glacier in Italy, a popular destination for skiers, has reportedly lost a third of its volume since 1990. And natural snow in the European Alps is expected to decline by 42% by the end of the century. Scientists estimate that many ski resorts worldwide won't be profitable anymore in the future. Warning systems and artificial glaciers can help Early warning systems like this weather station in the Karakoram mountain range in Pakistan can help adapt to the threats of melting glaciers Image: Akhtar Soomro/REUTERS Locals can adapt to some of these dangers. In the Pakistan village of Hassanabad, an early warning system has been installed to monitor activity at the nearby Shisper glacier. Should there be a need for a warning, it can be communicated through external speakers in the village. In the neighboring Ladakh region, researchers are experimenting with growing artificial glaciers that can mitigate water shortage in summer to meet this challenge. But these strategies can only work up to a point. Scientist say the best way to tackle receding glaciers is to slow the rising temperatures that are heating the Earth. Edited by: Anke Rasper
The Star
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Cricket-Stokes hopes to be dominant all-round force again after return from surgery
FILE PHOTO: Cricket - Third Test - England v Pakistan - Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi, Pakistan - October 25, 2024 England's Ben Stokes REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro/File Photo LONDON (Reuters) -England test captain Ben Stokes hopes he can become a dominant force with both bat and ball again when the all-rounder returns from hamstring surgery, with a busy summer ahead that includes high-profile series against India and Australia. The 33-year-old has been out of action since tearing his left hamstring in December and underwent surgery in January to get rid of an issue that has plagued him in recent years. The talismanic all-rounder, who has occasionally been forced to play as a specialist batter because of the injury, said he had gone through one of the longest rehab periods of his career. "I've worked incredibly hard on all aspects of everything, from my cricket to fitness, and know I'm going to be in a position when I am back on the field to potentially be in physically the best possible shape I have been in," he told Sky Sports. Stokes will return to the England side for a one-off test against Zimbabwe from May 22 at Trent Bridge before they host India for five tests followed by the Ashes series in Australia. The Durham player was pleased with how his training had gone but was aware that playing a real match will be more demanding. "As excited as I am to get back on the field I do know it's going to be different to my training," he said. "But in terms of my role as a player, that full seamer, batting at six, trying to dominate every situation I find myself whether I've got a bat or ball in my hand is what I want to get back doing out on the field, on the biggest stage. "I know I've done it before, it's something I've very confident in myself I can do." (Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty in New Delhi; editing by Peter Rutherford)
The Star
09-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Cricket-South Africa appoint Conrad as white-ball coach
FILE PHOTO: Cricket - ICC Men's Champions Trophy - Semi Final - South Africa v New Zealand - Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan - March 5, 2025/REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro/File Photo CAPE TOWN (Reuters) -South Africa have named Shukri Conrad as their limited overs coach after he led the country to the World Test Championship final where they face Australia at Lord's from June 11-15. The 58-year-old Conrad, who took over the Test team in January 2023, replaces Rob Walter, after he resigned last month for personal reasons, and will be in charge across all formats. "Coaching the Test side has been the greatest privilege of my cricket journey, and to now oversee the white-ball teams as well is something unbelievably special," Conrad said in a statement from Cricket South Africa. "South African cricket has incredible white-ball talent. There's a strong foundation to build on, and I believe we have what it takes to achieve something special." South Africa will co-host the next 50-over Cricket World Cup in 2027 along with Zimbabwe and Namibia. A veteran of the domestic coaching circuit, Conrad has enjoyed great success, leading to the WTC final appearance. South Africa also made the final of last year's T20 World Cup, but let a commanding position slip as they lost to India, and reached the semi-finals of the 2023 50-over World Cup and the recent ICC Champions Trophy. Their next limited overs assignment is a tri-series in Zimbabwe that also involves New Zealand in July. Later in the year they tour Australia, England and India. (Reporting by Nick Said; Editing by Ken Ferris)
The Star
08-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Tinder parent Match cuts 13% of workforce, forecasts revenue above estimates
FILE PHOTO: The dating app Tinder is shown on a mobile phone in this picture illustration taken September 1, 2020. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro/Illustration/File Photo (Reuters) - Match Group on Thursday forecast second-quarter revenue above Wall Street estimates and said it would reduce 13% of its workforce to cut costs, as the Tinder parent plows ahead with its business revamp plan. The layoffs are the first major structural change at Match since new CEO Spencer Rascoff took the helm in February and was tasked with tackling a slowdown in user engagement. The online dating industry has hit a rough patch as persistent inflation and a lack of innovative features prompted consumers to move away from dating apps such as Tinder and Bumble. In response, Match and Bumble have been refining their applications and introducing artificial intelligence features such as AI-enabled discovery to make it easier for users to improve their dating outcomes. Match, which also owns dating apps Hinge and OkCupid, has introduced features such as "double date" and Game Game, which was a voice-based experience that allowed users to practice flirting with an AI date, to better cater to Gen-Z audiences. The double-date feature, which allows users to team up with a friend and match with other pairs, is resonating with its younger audience, with 90% double-date profiles from users under 29, CEO Rascoff said. Its revenue per paid user increased to $19.07 from $18.87 a year ago. For the second quarter, the company forecast revenue between $850 and $860 million, above analysts' average estimates of $846.7 million, according to data compiled by LSEG. Match is also testing new features to boost its security and verification programs and has seen a more than 15% reduction in bad actor reports. For the quarter ended March 31, the company's revenue declined by 3% to $831 million, beating estimates of $827.5 million. Rival Bumble on Wednesday reported a more than 7% fall in first-quarter revenue, but met market estimates. (Reporting by Kritika Lamba in Bengaluru; Editing by Devika Syamnath)
Straits Times
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Reduced to rubble: India strikes alleged headquarters of militant groups in Pakistan's heartland
People offer funeral prayers for a man who was killed in an Indian strike in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, May 7, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer Supporters of Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML) wave flags during a rally in support of Pakistani Army following India's military strikes on Pakistan, in Islamabad, Pakistan, May 7, 2025. REUTERS/Fayaz Aziz Damaged rooftop of Bilal Mosque is seen after it was hit by an Indian strike in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, May 7, 2025. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro Police officers look on as a cameraman films the Bilal Mosque, after it was hit by an Indian strike in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, May 7, 2025. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro A general view of a damaged portion of a mosque, after it was hit by an Indian strike, in Muridke near Lahore, Pakistan May 7, 2025. REUTERS/Gibran Peshimam MURIDKE, Pakistan - Video footage from the early hours of Wednesday shows a bright flash from the residential Islamic seminary outside Bahawalpur in central Pakistan as India attacked its neighbour in response to the killing of Indian tourists in Kashmir. The seminary was emptied of its students in recent days as speculation grew that would be targeted by India, but the family of Masood Azhar, founder of the Jaish-e-Mohammed Islamist militant group, was still there, according to the group. Ten of Azhar's relatives were among 13 people killed in the strike, including women and children, the Pakistani military said. Thousands of people turned out for their funerals at a sports stadium later in the day, shouting "Allah Akbar", or God is Great, and other religious chants. "(Indian Prime Minister Narendra) Modi's brutality has broken all norms," the group said in a statement. "The grief and shock are indescribable". It said that five of those killed were children and the others included Azhar's sister and her husband. It did not respond to a request for comment on why the family was still at the site. Azhar, who has not been seen for years, and his brother, Abdul Rauf Asghar, deputy head of the group, did not appear to have attended the funeral prayers. The road to the site was cordoned off after the strike. Further north, around half an hour after midnight, four Indian missiles hit a sprawling complex in Muridke over six minutes, a local government official said. The attack demolished a mosque and adjacent administration building and buried three people in the rubble. A sign outside describes the site as a government health and educational complex, but India says it is associated with militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Delhi and Washington blame LeT for the 2008 attack on the Indian city of Mumbai that killed more than 160 people. LeT, which has has denied responsibility for that attack, is banned. The attack left other buildings in the complex untouched. A local official said that normally there were up to 3,500 staff and students at the site, but almost everyone had been evacuated in recent days as they feared it would become a target. Hafiz Saeed, leader of LeT and its successor organizations, is in a Pakistani jail since being convicted in 2020, on terror financing charges. He says his network, which spans 300 seminaries and schools, hospitals, a publishing house and ambulance services, has no ties to militant groups. Delhi said it had conducted pinpoint strikes on the two headquarters of its militant adversaries, part of what it said were nine "terrorist camps" targeted. "Over the last three decades Pakistan has systematically built terror infrastructure," it said in a briefing on the attacks. Pakistan said India had hit six sites, killing 26 people and wounding 46, all "innocent civilians". Officials and experts said India's attack on its neighbour, its most significant in decades, fulfilled a long-cherished goal, but Islamabad warned that it would hit back. The conflict between India and Pakistan has been confined in recent decades mostly to the disputed mountainous region of Kashmir. But the air strikes in the towns of Bahawalpur and Muridke were seen in Islamabad as a major escalation. India said seven of its targets were used by Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, both Islamist groups designated "terrorist" organisations by the U.N. Security Council. India launched the attacks in response to the killing of 26 people, mostly tourists in Indian Kashmir last month. Jaish says that it carries out educational and charity work in Pakistan and its militant activities are only in India. Delhi says that it runs training camps in Pakistan, as well as indoctrination schools, and that it launches militants into India. For decades Hindu-majority India has accused Pakistan of supporting Islamist militants in attacks on Indian interests, especially in Kashmir. Pakistan denies such support and in turn accuses India of supporting separatist rebels in Pakistan, which New Delhi denies. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
