Global Glacier Loss Accelerates: Hindu Kush Himalayas Hit Hardest

Glaciers across the world are retreating at an alarming rate, with the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region experiencing the most significant losses. A recent United Nations report, released on the World Day for Glaciers, highlights that glacier loss in the HKH region accelerated by 65% in 2011-2020 compared to the previous decade. This rapid melting poses severe risks to water resources, ecosystems, and communities dependent on glacier-fed rivers.

Key Findings of the UN Report

Glacier Loss in the Hindu Kush Himalaya Region

• The HKH region lost glacier volume 65% faster in 2011-2020 compared to 2001-2010.
• If global temperatures rise by 1.5°C to 2°C, HKH glaciers may lose 30-50% of their volume by 2100.
• If warming exceeds 2°C, the region could lose up to 45% of its 2020 glacier volume.
• The HKH spans eight countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan.
• The region is the source of ten major river basins supporting nearly two billion people.

Global Glacier Loss Trends

• Around 1.1 billion people live in mountainous regions, with two-thirds in urban areas.
• Global mountain glaciers could lose 26-41% of their mass by 2100 if temperatures rise between 1.5°C and 4°C.
• The “Third Pole” (HKH) stores the most ice outside the Arctic and Antarctic.
• The rapid disappearance of glaciers, such as the Conejeras Glacier in Colombia, signals an accelerating crisis.

Hazards of Glacier Melt

• Increased risks of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), flash floods, and landslides.
• GLOFs have caused over 12,000 deaths globally in 200 years, with 7,000 fatalities in the HKH region alone in the last 190 years.
• The number of glacial lakes has risen significantly since the 1990s, increasing disaster risks.

Economic and Environmental Consequences

• Hydropower generation is under threat due to glacial melt, shifting precipitation patterns, and evaporation.
• Mining industries, like lithium extraction in Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile, exert additional stress on water resources.
• Unregulated hydropower projects in Georgia have led to river depletion.

Governance and Policy Gaps

• Weak water governance in mountainous regions compared to lowlands.
• Limited transboundary cooperation in the HKH due to political distrust.
• Lack of shared data on water resources and disaster risk reduction.

Six recommended actions for HKH region

• Strengthen cooperation at all levels for mutual benefits.
• Recognize and prioritize the unique needs of mountain communities.
• Take decisive climate action to limit warming to 1.5°C.
• Accelerate progress toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Enhance ecosystem resilience and prevent biodiversity loss.
• Promote regional data sharing and scientific collaboration.

Funding and Support for Mountain Communities

• Incentives should be provided to communities protecting watershed areas crucial for hydropower, drinking water, and tourism.
• More accessible funding for sustainable development in mountain regions is essential.