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Time of India
3 days 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
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
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Queen of Versailles'' Jackie Siegel Takes Bucket List Trip with Son Her Late Husband ‘Never Got to' Take 1 Month After His Death
Jackie Siegel and her son Drew Siegel enjoyed a trip to Egypt together one month after the death of her husband David Siegel David died at age 89 in April, and she said he "never got to" go on this trip Jackie also lost her sister Jessica Mallery three days after David diedJackie Siegel is living life to the fullest in honor of her late husband, David Siegel. The Queen of Versailles star shared photos and videos from her trip to Egypt with her son Drew Siegel one month after the death of David, which was followed three days later by the death of Jackie's sister, Jessica Mallery. 'I needed a minute to clear my head,' Jackie captioned a photo of herself posing in front of the Great Pyramids and Sphinx in Cairo. 'We never got to go here together. What a beautiful place…❤️👸💋' She also shared a photo of herself and Drew doing a tourist pose with the pyramid in the background, writing, 'Egypt is amazing! We needed this. ❤️👸💋' The former reality star brought her followers on the journey with her, sharing a video in the desert with a camel and the pyramids. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. It's been a difficult few weeks for Jackie as she mourns her husband and sister. Earlier this month, she honored David on his birthday, when he would have turned 90. 'Happy Birthday David 🤴!' she captioned the video montage of sweet throwback photos. 'My first, my last, my everything…❤️👸💋' Jackie first shared the news of David's death on April 5, in a post on Instagram. "I was lucky enough to share twenty-five wonderful years with David, and together we raised eight incredible children. His life and legacy live on through them all," Jackie, 59, wrote in the post's caption of the timeshare resort company founder. "To say we are devastated is an understatement. But I find comfort in knowing that Victoria was there to greet him—the first thing he heard was 'Dad,' followed by a big hug," she wrote, referring to her and David's late daughter, who died of an accidental drug overdose when she was only 18 in 2015. "And of course, Steven is there too. That thought brings me so much peace." She also acknowledged the death of her sister, which occurred three days after David's death. 'Losing David and Jess in the same week is something I never could have imagined, but we're a strong family and we're supporting each other right now.' Jackie wrote at the time. Jessica died of an accidental drug overdose, which Jackie acknowledged she was all too familiar with. "Jessica died after using cocaine laced with fentanyl. Her death is another stark reminder of the drug epidemic and fentanyl crisis plaguing our country – and the urgent need to address substance abuse in order to save lives," she continued. "Our work at Victoria's Voice remains more critical than ever, and in her memory, we will continue to raise awareness and advocate every single day until this form of grief is a distant memory in this country." Read the original article on People
Jordan Times
02-04-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
How perpetual conflicts stimulate human prosperity?
The notion that war is detrimental to human progress is a widely accepted axiom. However, a closer examination of history reveals a more nuanced relationship between conflict and prosperity. Despite the devastation and loss of life, perpetual war has consistently stimulated human innovation, driven economic growth and fostered cultural advancements. In Ancient Civilisations, war was considered as a Catalyst for progress, as war was a common aspect of human society. The constant struggle for resources, territory, and power drove innovation and progress. The Egyptians, for example, developed sophisticated techniques and engineering skills through their military campaigns. The construction of the Great Pyramids, a testament to their ingenuity, was facilitated by the wealth and resources accumulated through conquest, plunder and enslaving other nations. Similarly, the ancient Greeks and Romans expanded their territories and resources through war, leading to significant cultural and economic advancements. The Roman Empire's extensive network of roads, bridges, and aqueducts, built to facilitate military conquests, also enabled the growth of trade and commerce. In Medieval and Early Modern Periods, the rise of Nation-States, fueled by constant warfare between kingdoms and city-states. This competition for resources and power drove economic growth and cultural advancements. The development of feudalism, for example, led to the emergence of a wealthy and influential class of nobles, who invested in the arts, science, architecture, and education. The early modern period saw the rise of European powers like Britain, France, Holland, Spain, and Portugal, which used war to establish and maintain their colonial empires. The wealth and resources accumulated through colonial conquests fueled industrialization and economic growth, transforming these nations into global superpowers. The Industrial Revolution created new technologies and resources that fueled colonial expansion and imperialism. European powers used war to establish and maintain their colonial empires, exploiting the natural resources and labor of colonized nations. The wealth and resources accumulated through colonial conquests fueled further industrialization and economic growth. The United States, for example, emerged as a global superpower through its military conquests and colonial expansion. The Spanish-American War (1898) and World War I (1914-1918) enabled the United States to establish itself as a dominant world power, while World War II (1939-1945) cemented its position as a global power. The Cold War (1945-1991) fueled technological innovation and economic growth, particularly in the United States and Soviet Union. The competition for military supremacy drove advancements in fields like rocketry, computing, communications, and materials science. The Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik (1957) and the United States' landing on the moon (1969) are iconic examples of the technological innovations driven by the Cold War. In the post-Cold War era, modern conflicts like the War on Terror (2001-present) have driven advancements in fields like cybersecurity, drone technology, and artificial intelligence. The development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), for example, has revolutionised modern warfare, enabling precision strikes and real-time intelligence gathering, as seen lately in the war in the Ukraine. The relationship between war and human prosperity is complex and often paradoxical. While war is undoubtedly destructive and devastating, it has consistently stimulated human innovation, driven economic growth, and fostered cultural advancements. From ancient civilizations to modern nation-states, the pursuit of power and resources through war has fueled human progress, often in unexpected and unintended ways. As we navigate the complexities of the modern world, it is essential to recognise the dual nature of war: destructive and creative, devastating and stimulating. By acknowledging this paradox, we can work towards creating a more peaceful and prosperous world, where human innovation and progress are driven by cooperation and collaboration, rather than conflict and competition.
