Latest news with #HarryZekollari
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Hindu Kush Himalaya could loss 75% of its glaciers by 2100, warns new study
The Hindu Kush Himalaya could lose up to 75 per cent of its glaciers by the year 2100 if global temperatures rise by 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, revealed a study published by the Science journal. Glacier loss, also known as glacier melt or glacial retreat, refers to the reduction of ice mass in glaciers and ice sheets. This loss primarily results from increased temperatures causing melting, sublimation (water evaporating directly from ice), and icebergs breaking apart. The study named 'Social impacts of glacier loss' notes that the critical water source which nourishes more than 2 billion people in the Indian subcontinent could lose its glacier cover. Such a loss of glacier cover could cause far reaching consequences for the water security across Asia. Also Read: Swiss glacier collapses, destroys nearly all of Alpine village. Watch wild video If countries succeed in limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, as outlined in the Paris Agreement, the study estimates that 40-45 per cent of glacier ice in the Himalayas and the Caucasus could be preserved. Globally, this would mean retaining 54 per cent of current glacier mass, compared to just 24 per cent if the world continues on its current trajectory toward 2.7 degrees Celsius of warming by the end of the century. Also Read: Research finds glaciers far more vulnerable to global warming than earlier estimates Other regions with high glacier mass such as the European Alps, the North American Rockies and Iceland, are at risk as well, increasing water insecurity across the globe. At 2 degrees celsius of warming, these areas could lose nearly all their ice, with only 10-15 per cent of their 2020 glacier levels remaining. At such a level, the entirety of Scandinavia could loss their glaciers. Also Read: Glaciologists, local communities mourn loss of Nepal's Yala glacier The study shows that glacier mass will decline rapidly for decades, even if temperatures stabilize, with long-term impacts persisting for centuries. 'Our study makes it painfully clear that every fraction of a degree matters. The choices made today, scientists warn, will determine the future of the world's glaciers—and the billions who depend on them," said co-lead author Dr Harry Zekollari. The study also states that the loss of glaciers will increase stress on food chains and microbiomes vital to human life on Earth. The research paper notes, 'Melting raises sea levels, and affects water resources downstream including their ecosystemic biodiversity. In addition, melting glaciers can compound other natural hazards such as increasing the formation of icebergs and accelerating permafrost erosion. They can also harm economic systems such as the tourism industry and damage cultural heritage. As impacts to the cryosphere accelerate, so, too, do social repercussions.'
India Today
2 days ago
- Science
- India Today
Hindu Kush Himalaya could lose 75% of glaciers, over a billion people at risk
A new scientific study has revealed that the Hindu Kush Himalaya — a critical water source for nearly two billion people — could lose up to 75% of its glacier ice by the end of this century if global temperatures rise by 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial stark projection shows the region's vulnerability and the far-reaching consequences for water security across findings, published in the journal Science, highlight the urgent need for stronger climate action. If countries succeed in limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, as outlined in the Paris Agreement, the study estimates that 40-45% of glacier ice in the Himalayas and the Caucasus could be preserved. Globally, this would mean retaining 54% of current glacier mass, compared to just 24% if the world continues on its current trajectory toward 2.7 degrees Celsius of warming by century's regions vital to human communities—including the European Alps, the Rockies of North America, and Iceland—are especially at risk. Researchers used eight glacier models to assess the fate of more than 200,000 glaciers. (Photo: Getty) advertisementAt 2 degrees Celsius of warming, these areas could lose nearly all their ice, with only 10-15% of their 2020 glacier levels remaining. Scandinavia faces an even bleaker future, with projections indicating a complete loss of glacier ice at this study's release coincides with the first United Nations conference on glaciers, currently underway in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, where over 50 countries are convening to address the Development Bank Vice-President Yingming Yang, speaking at the conference, emphasised, 'Melting glaciers threaten lives on an unprecedented scale, including the livelihoods of more than 2 billion people in Asia. Switching to clean energy to cut the release of planet-warming emissions remains the most effective way of slowing glacial melt'.Researchers used eight glacier models to assess the fate of more than 200,000 glaciers worldwide under various warming analysis shows that glacier mass will decline rapidly for decades, even if temperatures stabilize, with long-term impacts persisting for centuries.'Our study makes it painfully clear that every fraction of a degree matters,' said co-lead author Dr. Harry Zekollari. The choices made today, scientists warn, will determine the future of the world's glaciers—and the billions who depend on themMust Watch
Asharq Al-Awsat
2 days ago
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Climate Action Could Save Half of World's Vanishing Glaciers
More than three-quarters of the world's glaciers are set to vanish if climate change continues unchecked, a major new study warned Thursday, fueling sea-level rise and jeopardizing water supplies for billions. Published in Science, the international analysis provides the clearest picture yet of long-term glacier loss, revealing that every fraction of a degree in global temperature rise significantly worsens the outlook, reported AFP. It may sound grim, but co-lead author Harry Zekollari, a glaciologist at Vrije Universiteit Brussel and ETH Zurich, told AFP the findings should be seen as a "message of hope." Under existing climate policies, global temperatures are projected to reach 2.7 degrees Celsius (4.9F) above pre-industrial levels by 2100 -- a pathway that would ultimately erase 76 percent of current glacier mass over the coming centuries. But if warming is held to the Paris Agreement's 1.5C target, 54 percent of glacial mass could be preserved, according to the study, which combined outputs from eight glacier models to simulate ice loss across a range of future climate scenarios. "What is really special about this study is we can really show how every tenth of a degree of additional warming matters," co-lead author Lilian Schuster of the University of Innsbruck told AFP. The paper's release comes as Swiss authorities monitor flood risks following the collapse of the massive Birch Glacier, which destroyed an evacuated village. While Swiss glaciers have been heavily impacted by climate change, it remains unclear how much the latest disaster was driven by warming versus natural geological forces. Cultural and economic importance Glaciers are found on every continent except Australia -- from Mount Kilimanjaro to the Austrian Alps and the Karakoram range in Pakistan. While most are clustered in the polar regions, their presence in mountain ranges across the world makes them vital to local ecosystems, agriculture and human communities. Vast bodies of snow, ice, rock, and sediment that gain mass in winter and lose it in summer, glaciers formed in the Earth's deep past when conditions were far colder than today. Their meltwater sustains rivers critical for farming, fisheries, and drinking water. Their loss can have profound ripple effects, from disrupting tourism economies to eroding cultural heritage. In recent years, symbolic glacier funerals have been held in Iceland, Switzerland and Mexico. "The question I always get is, why are you a glaciologist in Belgium?" said Zekollari. "Well -- sea level rise. Glaciers melt everywhere on Earth... and that affects coastal defenses even in places far from mountains." Around 25 percent of current sea-level rise is attributed to glacier melt. Even if all fossil fuel use stopped today, the study finds that 39 percent of glacier mass loss is already locked in -- enough to raise sea levels by at least 113 millimeters (4.4 inches). Uneven impacts One key finding of the study is that some glaciers are far more vulnerable than others -- and the global average obscures drastic regional losses. Glaciers in the European Alps, the Rockies of the US and Canada, and Iceland are expected to lose nearly all their ice at 2C of warming -- the fallback goal of the Paris accord. In the central and eastern Himalayas, whose rivers support hundreds of millions of people, only 25 percent of glacier ice would remain at 2C. By contrast, the west of the range may retain 60 percent of its ice at the same temperature thanks to its wide range of elevations, which allows some glaciers to persist at colder, higher altitudes, said Shuster. Glacier loss is already affecting communities. In a related commentary in Science, Cymene Howe and Dominic Boyer of Rice University describe how the retreat of Oregon's Glisan Glacier has imperiled orchards, fisheries, and the cultural heritage of the Indigenous Quinault people. "Unfortunately we'll lose a lot, but with ambitious targets we can still save many of these glaciers -- which are not only beautiful, but vital for water supply, sea-level regulation, tourism, hydroelectricity, spiritual values, ecology, and more," said Zekollari.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Science
- NDTV
Hindu Kush Himalaya Region May Lose 75% Ice By End Of Century: Study
New Delhi: The Hindu Kush Himalaya, where glaciers feed rivers supporting two billion people, could lose up to 75 per cent of its ice by the end of the century if global temperatures rise by 2 degrees Celsius, according to a new study. If countries can limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, the study published in the journal Science said 40-45 per cent of glacier ice in the Himalayas and the Caucasus would be preserved. In comparison, the study found that only about one-quarter of glacier ice globally will be left if the world warms by 2.7 degrees Celsius by the end of this century, the path the world is on if today's climate policies continue. Glacier regions most important to human communities, such as the European Alps, the Rockies of the western US and Canada, and Iceland, would be especially hard hit, it said. These regions could lose nearly all their ice at 2 degrees Celsius, with only 10-15 per cent of their 2020 levels remaining. Scandinavia could face an even grimmer future, with no glacier ice left at all at this level of warming. The study highlighted that limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, a target set by the 2015 Paris Agreement, would help preserve some glacier ice in all regions. It predicted that 54 per cent of present-day glacier ice would remain globally and 20-30 per cent in the four most sensitive regions, if this goal is met. These findings come as global attention turns to the melting of glaciers and its impact, with world leaders gathering in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, for the first UN conference on glaciers starting Friday. Over 50 countries are attending, including 30 at the ministerial level or higher. Speaking in Dushanbe, Asian Development Bank Vice-President Yingming Yang said, "Melting glaciers threaten lives on an unprecedented scale, including the livelihoods of more than 2 billion people in Asia. Switching to clean energy to cut the release of planet-warming emissions remains the most effective way of slowing glacial melt." "At the same time, it is essential to mobilize financing to help the most vulnerable adapt to a future of more floods, droughts, and rising sea levels across Asia and the Pacific," he added. To get these results, a team of 21 scientists from 10 countries used eight glacier models to calculate the potential ice loss of the more than 200,000 glaciers worldwide, under a wide range of global temperature scenarios. For each scenario, they assumed that temperatures would remain constant for thousands of years. In all scenarios, the glaciers lose mass rapidly over decades and then continue to melt at a slower pace for centuries, even without further warming. This means they will feel the impact of today's heat for a long time before settling into a new balance as they retreat to higher altitudes. "Our study makes it painfully clear that every fraction of a degree matters," says co-lead author Dr Harry Zekollari from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. "The choices we make today will resonate for centuries, determining how much of our glaciers can be preserved."
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Science
- Express Tribune
Climate action could save vanishing glaciers
More than three-quarters of the world's glaciers are set to vanish if climate change continues unchecked, a major new study warned on Thursday, fueling sea-level rise and jeopardizing water supplies for billions. Published in Science, the international analysis provides the clearest picture yet of long-term glacier loss, revealing that every fraction of a degree in global temperature rise significantly worsens the outlook. It may sound grim, but co-lead author Harry Zekollari, a glaciologist at Vrije Universiteit Brussel and ETH Zurich, told AFP the findings should be seen as a "message of hope." Under existing climate policies, global temperatures are projected to reach 2.7 degrees Celsius (4.9F) above pre-industrial levels by 2100 -- a pathway that would ultimately erase 76 percent of current glacier mass over the coming centuries. But if warming is held to the Paris Agreement's 1.5C target, 54 percent of glacial mass could be preserved, according to the study, which combined outputs from eight glacier models to simulate ice loss across a range of future climate scenarios. "What is really special about this study is we can really show how every tenth of a degree of additional warming matters," co-lead author Lilian Schuster of the University of Innsbruck told AFP. The paper's release comes as Swiss authorities monitor flood risks following the collapse of the massive Birch Glacier, which destroyed an evacuated village. While Swiss glaciers have been heavily impacted by climate change, it remains unclear how much the latest disaster was driven by warming versus natural geological forces. Glaciers are found on every continent except Australia — from Mount Kilimanjaro to the Austrian Alps and the Karakoram range in Pakistan. While most are clustered in the polar regions, their presence in mountain ranges across the world makes them vital to local ecosystems, agriculture and human communities. Vast bodies of snow, ice, rock, and sediment that gain mass in winter and lose it in summer, glaciers formed in the Earth's deep past when conditions were far colder than today. Their meltwater sustains rivers critical for farming, fisheries, and drinking water.
