Scientists no longer know how to say this: Global warming caused by humans is destroying the planet. At full speed. But most governments and businesses continue to heed these warning calls. The last cry of alarm was issued by UNESCO a few months ago: 460 will be extinct in less than 30 years glaciers Included in areas declared World Heritage. Among the most endangered are those from the Pyrenees, the southernmost of Europe. It is almost certain that they will not survive after 2050. They will be wiped off the map by climate change.
There are 50 UNESCO World Heritage Sites that are home to glaciers. These 50 places have been identified 18,600 glaciersIt covers an area of 66,000 square kilometers, which represents almost 10% of the total glacial surface of the Earth and more than twice that of Catalonia.
Among them are the tallest (near Mount Everest), the tallest (in Alaska), and the last remaining glaciers in Africa. The latest UNESCO study, conducted in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), accelerated melting of glaciers World Heritage sites since 2000 due to increased CO2 emissions.
These glaciers are now losing 58 billion tons of ice a year – equivalent to the combined annual water use of France and Spain – and It is responsible for about 5% of sea level rise. observed in the world. The ice is gone.
The goal is to reduce CO2 emissions
report, glaciers One third of 50 World Heritage sites are doomed to disappear by 2050, regardless of efforts to limit temperature rise.
“However it is still possible to save the other two-thirds If the rise in global temperature does not exceed 1.5°C compared to pre-industrial times,” the organization shouted, stressing that this would be a “major challenge” for the COP27 climate summit to be held in Egypt this Sunday.
UNESCO claims drastically reduce carbon emissions and begs establish an international fund for the monitoring and protection of these ice floes. The Fund will support research, promote exchange networks among stakeholders, and implement early warning and disaster risk reduction measures.
The situation is dramatic because Half of humanity is directly or indirectly dependent on glaciers as a source of water for domestic, agricultural and energy use.. Glaciers are also biodiversity pillarsbecause they feed many ecosystems.
“This report is a call to action. Only a rapid drop in our CO2 emission levels can save the glaciers and the exceptional biodiversity that depends on them. “COP27 will have a pivotal role in helping find solutions to this problem and UNESCO is committed to supporting States in achieving this goal,” said Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO.
“When the glaciers melt fast, Millions face water scarcity and increased risk of natural disasters floods, and millions more may be displaced by subsequent waters. sea level rise‘, says Bruno Oberle, Director-General of IUCN.
Africa will lose all its glaciers
“This work, Urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions Invest in nature-based solutions that can help. reduce climate change and it allows people to better adapt to its effects,” concludes Oberle.
The research reveals perspectives by continent. All glaciers in World Heritage sites in Africa will disappear by 2050Including those in Kilimanjaro National Park and Mount Kenya.
Glaciers in the protected areas of the Three Parallel Rivers Park in Yunnan (China) in Asia are one step away from disappearingIt leads the highest mass losses (57.2% since 2000) and the fastest melting of the entire List.
In Europe, UNESCO predicts that all glaciers in the Pyrenees will disappear before 2050, citing in particular that of Monte Perdido, already “split” in two due to global warming. Also, glaciers dolomites They may disappear by 2050, and Swiss glaciers have lost more than half of their ice since 1931.
In Latin America, glaciers in Aleres National Park (Argentina) are causing the second highest mass loss. Compared to 2000 (45.6%).
In North America, glaciers in Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks could disappear by 2050.. Also, glaciers in Waterton Glacier International Peace Park in Canada and the United States have lost 26.5% of their volume over the past 20 years.
In Oceania, the Te Wahipounamu glacier in southwest New Zealand has lost 20% of its volume. since 2000.
Reference report (in English): https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000383551
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