Himalayan Glaciers
Retreat Fast
By WWF
15 March 2005
WWF
Gland, Switzerland
- Himalayan glaciers are among the fastest retreating glaciers globally
due to the effects of global warming, and this will eventually result
in water shortages for hundreds of millions of people who rely on glacier-dependent
rivers in China, India and Nepal, warns WWF, the global conservation
organization.
A new WWF report An Overview of Glaciers, Glacier Retreat and
Subsequent Impacts in Nepal, India and China reveals the rate
of retreat of Himalayan glaciers accelerating as global warming increases.
The report states that glaciers in the region are now receding at an
average rate of 1015 metres per year.
The rapid melting of Himalayan glaciers will first increase the
volume of water in rivers, causing widespread flooding, said Jennifer
Morgan, Director of WWFs Global Climate Change Programme. But
in a few decades this situation will change and the water level in rivers
will decline, meaning massive economic and environmental problems for
people in western China, Nepal and northern India.
Himalayan glaciers feed into seven of Asias greatest rivers (the
Ganges, Indus, Brahmaputra, Salween, Mekong, Yangtze and Huange He),
ensuring a year-round water supply to hundreds of millions of people
in the Indian subcontinent and China. As glacier water flows dwindle,
the energy potential of hydroelectric power will decrease causing problems
for industry, while reduced irrigation means lower crop production.
Nepal has an annual average temperature rise of 0.06°C per year.
The report shows that three of Nepals snow-fed rivers have shown
declining trends in discharge. In China, the report shows that Qinhai
Plateaus wetlands have seen declining lake water levels, lake
shrinkage, the absence of water flow in rivers and streams, and the
degradation of swamp wetlands. In India, the Gangotri glacier, which
supports one of Indias largest river basins, is receding at an
average rate of 23 metres per year.
The report is released
on the eve of a two-day ministerial roundtable of the 20 largest energy
using economies in the world, including China and India, followed by
a G8 meeting of development and environment ministers focusing on climate
change and on Africa. Both meetings are hosted by the UK government
in London from 15-18 March. WWF has sent a letter to participating ministers,
stressing the need to recognize climate change as an issue that seriously
threatens security and development prospects.
Ministers should realize now that the world faces an economic
and development catastrophe if the rate of global warming isn't reduced,"
said Jennifer Morgan. "They need to work together on reducing CO2
emissions, increasing the use of renewable energy and implementing energy
efficiency measures."
NOTES:
In a letter to the Ministers of Environment, Energy and Development
attending the Ministerial roundtable and the G8 meeting, WWF calls on
all governments to recognize that global average temperature must stay
below 2°C (3.6°F) in comparison to pre-industrial levels, to
agree upon a series of ambitious initiatives to vastly change the way
their countries produce and use energy, and to launch a power sector
governance initiative where all countries commit to practicing the principles
of transparency, accountability and public participation in energy sector
decision-making. The letter sent by WWF International to the Development
and Environment Ministers can be made available on request.
The countries participating in the Energy and Environment
Ministerial Round Table include Australia, Brazil, Canada, China,
France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico,
Nigeria, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom and
the United States, as well a the European Union.
For further information:
Martin Hiller, Communications Manager
WWF Global Climate Change Programme
Tel: + 41 79 347 2256
E-Mail: [email protected]
Brian Thomson, Press Officer
WWF International
Tel: +41 79 477 3553
E-Mail: [email protected]