Photo credit: The Nepal Roads
The United Nations has announced 2025 as the International Year of Glacier Preservation. The declaration came after the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution in December 2022 to mark 2025 as the starting point for a decade-long focus on glacier protection until 2034.
The opportunity to mark the year for glacier preservation aligns with the announcement of March 21 as the World Day for Glaciers, starting this year. This serves as a platform to raise awareness about the critical role of glaciers, snow and ice in the climate system, as well as their economic, social and environmental impacts.
Now, the path has opened for us to conduct more research on glaciers to understand their current status and predict future changes. NASA has confirmed that Earth's average surface temperature in 2024 was the hottest on record. The global temperature in 2024 was 1.28 degrees Celsius above.
These glaciers, the primary source of water for downstream communities, have been melting at an alarming rate in recent years, posing a significant threat outbursts to the various countries including Nepal, India, Pakistan and China livelihoods, biodiversity and ecosystems.
Climate change is now influencing both monsoon dynamics and the condition of snow and glaciers in the Himalayas. We must remain aware and prepared for the consequences.
Glacial Lake Outburst Floods Impact in Nepal
The impact has already begun to be seen at Thame village in the Solukhumbu region on August 16, 2024, was caused by the sudden break of Thyanbo glacial lake, leading to the destruction of numerous houses and infrastructure.
A glacier lake outburst flood caused severe flooding and landslides devastating Thame village in the Everest region, Nepal in August, 2024. Photo credit: Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality of Nepal.
This recent event highlights the growing risks posed by climate change in the Himalayas, as rising temperatures contribute to the expansion and instability of glacial lakes.
Nepal is home to thousands of glaciers that are sharply melting because of global warming which caused rising temperatures. With support from the United Nations Development Programme, the water level of two high-risk lakes in Nepal was reduced to minimise the threat of GLOFs.
According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, maximum and minimum air temperatures in Nepal increased by 0.56 degrees Celsius and 0.02 degrees Celsius per decade. The warming is more pronounced in the Himalayan region than in other parts of the country. This symbolizes that even under the best-case scenario, the Himalayas could lose up to one-third more of their permanent ice by the end of this century, experts said.
Overcome and Comprehensive policy
As glaciers continue to retreat due to climate change, what are some of the most promising solutions we should focus on to highlight both the challenges and potential pathways.
The declaration comes as a positive benchmark to promote awareness among stakeholders and international agencies to address the issue of glacier preservation by reducing CO2 emissions.
Mountain glaciers have long provided a vital ecosystem service by storing water over seasons, years, and decades, releasing meltwater during the hottest and driest periods. However, as glaciers continue to decline, this critical service is being lost.
The need for changes among downstream populations, including adjustments to irrigation practices, increased water conservation efforts, and enhanced water storage in wetlands, groundwater, and sometimes reservoirs. Water management needs to be more precise and based on improved predictions to facilitate this adaptation.
There should be a focus on adaptation and resilience. Ecosystems and livelihoods need protection and assistance should be sought from the global community, especially now that the UN has initiated the decade-long glacier preservation campaign.
Additionally, in extreme weather events, the geological structure of watersheds must be considered to conduct detailed risk assessments before undertaking costly projects like the hydropower plants, bridges and roads. The critical message about glacier melting must be communicated at the international level effectively.
Photo credit: The Nepal Roads
The United Nations has announced 2025 as the International Year of Glacier Preservation. The declaration came after the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution in December 2022 to mark 2025 as the starting point for a decade-long focus on glacier protection until 2034.
The opportunity to mark the year for glacier preservation aligns with the announcement of March 21 as the World Day for Glaciers, starting this year. This serves as a platform to raise awareness about the critical role of glaciers, snow and ice in the climate system, as well as their economic, social and environmental impacts.
Now, the path has opened for us to conduct more research on glaciers to understand their current status and predict future changes. NASA has confirmed that Earth's average surface temperature in 2024 was the hottest on record. The global temperature in 2024 was 1.28 degrees Celsius above.
These glaciers, the primary source of water for downstream communities, have been melting at an alarming rate in recent years, posing a significant threat outbursts to the various countries including Nepal, India, Pakistan and China livelihoods, biodiversity and ecosystems.
Climate change is now influencing both monsoon dynamics and the condition of snow and glaciers in the Himalayas. We must remain aware and prepared for the consequences.
Glacial Lake Outburst Floods Impact in Nepal
The impact has already begun to be seen at Thame village in the Solukhumbu region on August 16, 2024, was caused by the sudden break of Thyanbo glacial lake, leading to the destruction of numerous houses and infrastructure.
A glacier lake outburst flood caused severe flooding and landslides devastating Thame village in the Everest region, Nepal in August, 2024. Photo credit: Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality of Nepal.
This recent event highlights the growing risks posed by climate change in the Himalayas, as rising temperatures contribute to the expansion and instability of glacial lakes.
Nepal is home to thousands of glaciers that are sharply melting because of global warming which caused rising temperatures. With support from the United Nations Development Programme, the water level of two high-risk lakes in Nepal was reduced to minimise the threat of GLOFs.
According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, maximum and minimum air temperatures in Nepal increased by 0.56 degrees Celsius and 0.02 degrees Celsius per decade. The warming is more pronounced in the Himalayan region than in other parts of the country. This symbolizes that even under the best-case scenario, the Himalayas could lose up to one-third more of their permanent ice by the end of this century, experts said.
Overcome and Comprehensive policy
As glaciers continue to retreat due to climate change, what are some of the most promising solutions we should focus on to highlight both the challenges and potential pathways.
The declaration comes as a positive benchmark to promote awareness among stakeholders and international agencies to address the issue of glacier preservation by reducing CO2 emissions.
Mountain glaciers have long provided a vital ecosystem service by storing water over seasons, years, and decades, releasing meltwater during the hottest and driest periods. However, as glaciers continue to decline, this critical service is being lost.
The need for changes among downstream populations, including adjustments to irrigation practices, increased water conservation efforts, and enhanced water storage in wetlands, groundwater, and sometimes reservoirs. Water management needs to be more precise and based on improved predictions to facilitate this adaptation.
There should be a focus on adaptation and resilience. Ecosystems and livelihoods need protection and assistance should be sought from the global community, especially now that the UN has initiated the decade-long glacier preservation campaign.
Additionally, in extreme weather events, the geological structure of watersheds must be considered to conduct detailed risk assessments before undertaking costly projects like the hydropower plants, bridges and roads. The critical message about glacier melting must be communicated at the international level effectively.