Rising Temperatures Trigger Irreversible Changes in Mountain Ecosystems: UNESCO Report
(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained, Page – 14)
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Topic: GS1 – Geography GS3 – Environment – Climate Change |
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Context |
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Analysis of the news:
Impact of Rising Temperatures on Mountain Ranges
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These changes, including glacier melting, permafrost thaw, reduced snow cover, and erratic snowfall, are significantly impacting water resources, ecosystems, and human populations.
Glacier Melting: Accelerated Mass Loss
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Glaciers are melting at an unprecedented rate, with the last three years witnessing the largest glacial mass loss on record.
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Since 1975, glaciers have lost over 9,000 billion tonnes of ice, equivalent to an ice block the size of Germany with a thickness of 25 metres.
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In 2024 alone, glaciers lost 450 gigatons of mass, with Scandinavia, Svalbard, and North Asia experiencing the highest losses.
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Apart from warming temperatures, glacier melt is accelerated by black carbon deposits from wildfires and dust storms, which darken ice surfaces, increase solar radiation absorption, and hasten melting.
Permafrost Thaw: A Climate Threat
Permafrost—ground that remains frozen for at least two consecutive years is thawing rapidly due to warming. This is problematic as:
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Carbon Release: Thawing permafrost releases trapped organic carbon, increasing greenhouse gas emissions and exacerbating climate change.
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Landslides & Erosion: Permafrost stabilizes rock slopes and glacial debris. Its melting increases landslides, rockfalls, and ground instability, posing risks to infrastructure and human settlements.
Decline in Snow Cover & Erratic Snowfall
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Snow cover has been declining in almost all mountain regions, especially during spring and summer.
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Between 1979 and 2022, persistent snow cover decreased globally by 7.79%, as reported in Nature (2024).
Additionally, erratic snowfall patterns are emerging:
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The elevation where rainfall turns into snowfall is shifting upwards, reducing snow depth and duration at lower elevations.
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More precipitation is falling as rain rather than snow, leading to earlier snowmelt and shrinking snow-covered areas.
Significance of These Changes
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Threat to Water Resources
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2 billion people depend on mountain glaciers for freshwater.
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Melting glaciers cause erratic water flow, disrupting agriculture, drinking water supply, and hydropower generation.
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Increased Risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs)
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Melting glaciers create unstable glacial lakes, which can suddenly burst, triggering catastrophic floods.
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Over 12,000 deaths in the past 200 years have been attributed to GLOFs, causing massive displacement and infrastructure damage.
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Rising Sea Levels & Coastal Flooding
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25–30% of global sea level rise is due to glacier melt.
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Between 2006 and 2016, 335 billion tonnes of ice melted annually, raising sea levels by 1 mm per year, threatening millions of coastal inhabitants.
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Conclusion
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Given the widespread and irreversible impact of mountain degradation, experts stress the need for global awareness, policy changes, and resource mobilization.
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As climate change accelerates, protecting mountain ecosystems is crucial for ensuring water security, disaster resilience, and global stability.
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Practice Question: Rising global temperatures are causing irreversible changes in mountain ecosystems, with severe consequences for water resources, biodiversity, and human populations.” Discuss the key impacts of climate change on mountains and suggest measures to mitigate these effects. (250 Words /15 marks) |
