Latest news with #Andean
Time of India
a day ago
- Science
- Time of India
What are the real impacts of melting glaciers?
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 Blatten in the country's southern Wallis region. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A mound of debris has clogged the path of the Lonza River, increasing the risk of flooding. 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 affecting communities worldwide. Some regions are left with too little water, while others struggle with too much. Glaciers are a 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 decadelong 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 meltwater at a rapid rate. Meltwater damages infrastructure, makes mountains unstable It's 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. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 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 there 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. Dwindling water supply for agriculture, electricity generation As glaciers shrink, they eventually reach a threshold — known as peak water — at which runoff declines. As a result, less meltwater 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 increasing sea levels 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 have said 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 . In the last 25 years alone, melting glaciers have caused global sea levels to rise almost 2 centimeters (0.7 inches). This might not seem like much, but low-lying islands like Fiji and Vanuatu in the Pacific Ocean are at risk of disappearing under the waves. In addition, more than 1 billion people in megacities like Jakarta, Mumbai, Lagos and Manila live within 10 kilometers (about 6 miles) of the coast. Protective dikes are only a temporary solution, as sea levels continue to rise. Ice traditions under threat 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 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 in the future. Warning systems and artificial glaciers can help Locals can adapt to some of these dangers. In the Pakistani 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.
DW
2 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
Time Out
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
First look: This historic wing of The Met just got a major update
After a four-year renovation, The Metropolitan Museum of Art has reopened its galleries dedicated to the arts of Africa, the Ancient Americas and Oceania. These historic galleries, housed within the Michael C. Rockefeller Wing, are packed with 1,800 artworks spanning five continents and hundreds of cultures. To celebrate the opening, the Upper East Side museum is hosting a daylong festival on Saturday, May 31 with performances, live music, art making and more. It's free with museum admission—which is always pay-what-you-wish for New Yorkers. Max Hollein, The Met's CEO, described the 40,000-square-foot Rockefeller Wing's reopening as 'much more than a renovation.' Instead, he said at a grand opening event, 'it's a re-envisioning of one of the museum's most important spaces.' Inside the galleries, you'll find several objects on view for the first time, including new acquisitions of contemporary African works and new commissions by Indigenous artists for the Oceania galleries. Also don't miss a gallery dedicated to light-sensitive ancient Andean textiles, which is the first of its kind in the United States. It's a re-envisioning of one of the museum's most important spaces. New features, such as documentary films, audio commentary, artist bios and expanded wall text, help to provide contemporary perspectives and offer deeper engagement with the work. As for the design, expect brighter galleries with a custom-designed sloped glass wall adjacent to Central Park and a dramatic entryway where curved ceilings arch above carved wooden ancestor poles made by artists in West Papua. Inside the sprawling wing, you'll find a vast exploration of cultures. For example, you can learn about manifestations of faith in the western Sahel's communities, then discover funerary carvings from New Ireland. See a golden staff from Ghanian royalty dating back to the 1930s, as well as a collection of ornate ear flares dating back to to the 1300–1400s in Peru, to name a few. To update the galleries, the museum team worked with collaborators across the globe. Signage in the galleries points out the provenance (or chain of custody) of the pieces. All of the works at The Met were acquired from private individuals who obtained the pieces in the region or through the intentional art market. Or the museum purchased the pieces from commercial galleries or public auctions. The new space was designed by WHY Architecture in collaboration with Beyer, Blinder, Belle Architects LLP and with The Met's Design Department. Each gallery's look is meant to pay homage to the architectural vernaculars of each featured region. The Rockefeller Wing first opened in 1982, beginning as the personal collection of Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller. It helped to expand the worldviews of the art inside The Met's walls. 'You will see human ingenuity and cultural ingenuity,' Hollein said. 'It's a celebration of the richness of culture, of global artistic expression and how everything is connected.' Highlights from each gallery Arts of Africa Explore The Met's collection of sub-Saharan African art through 500 works highlighting major artistic movements and living traditions from across the subcontinent. The new galleries present original creations spanning from the Middle Ages to the present, including a 12th-century fired clay figure shaped in Mali's Inner Niger Delta and the fiber creation Bleu no. 1 by acclaimed innovator Abdoulaye Konaté. A quarter of the works are on display at The Met for the first time. Arts of the Ancient Americas These galleries feature 700 works exploring the artistic legacy of Indigenous artists from across North, Central and South America and the Caribbean prior to 1600. The new galleries include monumental stone sculptures and exquisite metalwork and also include refined ceramic vessels; shimmering regalia of gold, shell, and semiprecious stone; and delicate sculptures of wood. Don't miss the new gallery devoted to ancient American textiles and featherwork, which frames a 3,000-year history of achievements in the fiber arts. Arts of Oceania Discover more than 500 years of art from this expansive region, newly framed by Indigenous perspectives. The galleries house 650 works, drawn from over 140 distinct cultures in a region of astonishing diversity. These include monumental artworks from the large island of New Guinea and the coastal archipelagos that stretch beyond its shores to the north, central, and eastern Pacific, as well as the two neighboring regions of Australia and Island Southeast Asia, whose Indigenous communities all share a common ancestry. New acquisitions broaden the collection to include the work of women, especially fiber work by senior female artists from Australia and New Guinea.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The Enterprise World Spotlights Valentina Moreno Aristeguieta for Legal Excellence and Strategic Leadership
The Enterprise World highlights Valentina Moreno Aristeguieta, Uber's Legal Director, as a "Most Influential Lawyer." Learn how she transforms legal counsel into strategic partnerships, expertly navigating complex regulations, and championing ethical innovation. The Most Influential Lawyer In Legal Services - 2025 The Enterprise World The Enterprise World Spotlights Valentina Moreno Aristeguieta for Legal Excellence and Strategic Leadership San Francisco, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- — Valentina Moreno Aristeguieta, Legal Director, Uber The Enterprise World Magazine recognises Valentina Moreno Aristeguieta in its latest issue– Most Influential Lawyers in Legal Services. This special issue celebrates legal leaders redefining the profession with innovation, integrity, and impact—and Valentina is a standout example. The latest issue showcases a curated selection of legal professionals who are not only excelling in their respective fields but are also driving transformative change within the legal industry. This edition highlights individuals whose innovative approaches, leadership, and commitment to ethical practices are setting new standards in legal services. Valentina Moreno Aristeguieta, the Legal Director for Central America, Andean, and the Caribbean at Uber, embodies this spirit. She blends her passion for law with a forward-thinking approach, steering Uber through complex regulatory landscapes while championing sustainability and innovation. Valentina's leadership extends beyond legal counsel; she plays a pivotal role in shaping strategic decisions that align with ethical practices and long-term Counsel as Strategic PartnersValentina's shift from law firm to in-house counsel redefined her role—from legal advisor to strategic business partner—bridging legal compliance with corporate growth and innovation. Leadership Through EmpowermentShe builds high-performing legal teams by fostering autonomy, setting clear KPIs, and cultivating a culture of collaboration, trust, and emotional intelligence. Turning Regulatory Challenges into OpportunitiesOperating across 12 diverse countries, Valentina views outdated or fragmented regulations not as barriers, but as chances to work with policymakers to craft forward-looking, socially responsible frameworks. Proactive Risk ManagementValentina integrates legal early into business planning, using structured risk frameworks and tools to empower teams—shifting legal from a gatekeeper role to a value-adding collaborator. Adapting to Evolving Legal LandscapesShe stays ahead by embracing legal tech, data analytics, and continuous learning—while championing a customer-centric, ethical approach to future-ready legal services. The Most Influential Lawyer In Legal Services issue offers more than recognition—it's a collection of stories that reveal how modern legal leaders are driving transformation. Valentina's feature is a roadmap for aspiring legal professionals looking to evolve from advisors into changemakers. About The Enterprise World The Enterprise World serves as a platform for leading business minds to share their journeys—highlighting both their successes and the challenges they've overcome to become standout figures in today's dynamic enterprise landscape. In a world where business is constantly evolving, the magazine captures these shifts by exploring fresh themes each month, showcasing emerging trends, industry growth, and key developments from across the global business arena. Attachments The Most Influential Lawyer In Legal Services - 2025 The Enterprise World The Enterprise World Spotlights Valentina Moreno Aristeguieta for Legal Excellence and Strategic Leadership CONTACT: Peter Johnson Marketing Coordinator peter@ +1 614 385 1709 Ohio, Columbus Company: The Enterprise World Website - in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
German court to rule on Peruvian farmer versus RWE climate case
Peruvian farmer Saul Luciano Lliuya, who is suing German energy utility RWE, arguing that the company's emissions have contributed to the melting of Andean glaciers, poses for a photo in front of Lake Palcacocha, before the verdict of the high regional German court in Hamm, in Huaraz, Peru May 27, 2025. REUTERS/Angela Ponce (Reuters) -A German court is due to decide on Wednesday whether a lawsuit brought by a Peruvian farmer against German energy giant RWE can continue, in a landmark case that is setting a precedent for future climate change litigation. In a case that began a decade ago, farmer Saul Luciano Lliuya argues that RWE's emissions have contributed to the melting of Andean glaciers, increasing the flood risk to his home. Using data from the Carbon Majors database, which tracks historic emissions from major fossil fuel producers, Lliuya says RWE is responsible for nearly 0.5% of global man-made emissions since the industrial revolution and must pay a proportional share of the costs needed to adapt to climate change. For a $3.5 million flood defence project needed in his region, RWE's share would be around $17,500, according to Lliuya's calculations. The 44-year-old farmer, whose family grows corn, wheat, barley and potatoes in a hilly region outside Huaraz, says he has chosen to sue RWE because it is one of the biggest polluters in Europe - rather than any particular company projects near his home. RWE, which is phasing out its coal-fired power plants, says a single emitter of carbon dioxide cannot be held responsible for global warming. In two days of hearing in March, the Higher Regional Court of Hamm examined a 200-page report by experts it had appointed to determine whether melting glaciers were raising the water levels in Lake Palcacocha and posing a direct risk to Lliuya's home in Huaraz over the next three decades. Lliuya's lawyer Roda Verheyen in March raised concerns about the assessment of risks by the court experts, who found a 3% flood risk, and said she was ready to challenge their findings. The verdict was originally due in April, but the court had to postpone it because Verheyen filed a motion to disqualify one of the court's experts. Verheyen said the arguments were clear. "In my view, we cannot lose," she told a media briefing last Thursday. The amount that industrialised countries should contribute to mitigating the effects of global warming, including rising sea levels, extreme storms and heatwaves, has been fiercely debated at successive U.N. climate summits. If the court on Wednesday finds a specific flooding risk to Lliuya's home, it will then examine the impact of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions on Andean glaciers melting and increasing the risk. Whatever the outcome on Wednesday, climate academics said the case was a game-changer as the court's legal reasoning would be used by future cases. "Even if the case is dismissed, we expect to get this legal precedent, which would be a massive step forward," Noah Walker-Crawford, a researcher at London School of Economics Grantham Research Institute, said. ($1 = 0.8809 euros) (Reporting by Riham Alkousaa; editing by Barbara Lewis)
