Why are tropical countries so concerned about ice and polar regions?
By: Will Kochtitzky
 |
| Icebergs in Iceland |
Warming temperatures are causing ice around the world to melt, that includes glaciers in the tropics and polar regions. Warming trends are particularly concerning in the Arctic, where warming has occurred faster than any other place on the planet. When land ice melts, it causes sea level rise, which is devastating for countries around the world.
This afternoon the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the global authority on climate science, presented their findings in a recent Special Report on 1.5°C warming. Their findings highlight the need for immediate climate action to avoid dangerous climate change. Among other conclusions, they found that limiting warming to 1.5°C instead of 2°C would result in approximately 10 cm less sea level rise. Even as little as 10 cm less sea level rise would be great news for low lying nations around the world.
While St. Kitts and Nevis, Jamaica, and Maldives are all nations located near the equator and never receive snow, they were among the most concerned nations for changes happening in the Arctic and Antarctic in regards to glaciers. While at first their concern seems odd, they should be incredibly concerned with changes we are already seeing in polar regions. Melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet has contributed more to sea level rise than any other ice body on the planet and will continue to melt for decades to come. This causes major problems for Island nations around the world, especially St. Kitts and Nevis, Jamaica, and Maldives. For them melting ice does not signify a cool drink, but rather a threat to their existence.
However, land locked nations are also concerned about changes in polar regions around the world. Luxembourg, was particularly concerned about how changes in permafrost, or frozen ground, can impact climate around the world. They are concerned because as the world warms, permafrost begins to thaw, which releases greenhouse gases long stored in the ground. When these gases escape, they enter the atmosphere and are incredibly effective at causing warming.
Luxembourg is not the only landlocked state expressing concern at this year's COP. Even though Nepal contains the highest mountains in the world and does not contain any coastline, they were the most vocal country on changes to glaciers in mountains. Because Nepal is home to the largest mountains in the world, it is also home to glaciers. These glaciers are vital sources of water for consumption and agriculture.
 |
Manaslu Mountain in Nepal, the 8th highest mountain in the world.
Glaciers come down from all sides of Manaslu,
this view is from just below Samdo Village.
|
This October, I had the chance to visit Nepal and see first hand how their country is already dealing with the impacts of climate change. We saw glaciers that had substantially melted in the last 200 years. When glaciers melt, they release the water they were storing for centuries. Initially, this is a great thing for downstream agriculture, as more glacier melt gives farmers more water. However, concerns abound for the future when these glaciers have disappeared and are no longer contributing to rivers. This is one of the ultimate ironies of climate change, even though Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world and has done the least to cause climate change, they are one of the most impacted nations. Nepal is waiting for and encouraging the world to take action.
 |
| Glacier above Samdo Village, Nepal |
Oh man, so many interconnections and feedback loops. But, while we haven't yet answered all the questions about how our world works and responds to change, scientists very clearly understand that anthropogenic influence is significant - and we can do something about it! Thanks so much for sharing Will!
ReplyDelete