The Unfolding Crisis: The Disappearance of Andean Tropical Glaciers
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The Diminishing Andean Glaciers
Glaciers account for 10% of the Earth's surface and hold nearly 70% of its fresh water. Among them, the Andes Mountain Range is home to about 4.5% of the total glacial mass, including nearly all tropical glaciers. However, the Humboldt Glacier, once a prominent feature in Venezuela's Sierra Nevada de Mérida, has been reclassified as an ice field due to its reduced size. It is now considered "too small to qualify as a glacier." Once a site for international skiing competitions, it now lies like a lifeless entity, significantly diminished.
As of May 2024, Venezuela has become the first country in modern history to be officially glacier-free, marking a troubling milestone not just for the Andes, but also globally. Slovenia has joined this unwelcome group, while the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts a loss of 18-36% of global glacial mass throughout the 21st century, primarily driven by climate change.
The unique geographical factors of these glaciers, including their low altitude and latitude, have rendered them particularly susceptible to climatic fluctuations and rising temperatures. Experts anticipate both peaks will be devoid of ice by 2030.
This situation serves as a stark warning for other Latin American countries, as the glaciers in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia are next in line for significant loss. Chile and Argentina are expected to follow suit, with potentially far-reaching social implications, given that larger populations rely on these glaciers for their water supply.
Recent studies indicate that the glaciers are currently smaller than they have been in at least 11,700 years, possibly even 130,000 years, revealing previously hidden bedrock. This suggests that the Andean tropics are the first extensive area to document such a significant change.
Critically Endangered: The Last Tropical Glaciers explores the alarming decline of these glaciers, shedding light on the repercussions of climate change.
The Alarming Reality of Human-Caused Climate Change
A 2023 study by glacier and sea-level expert David Rounce predicts that if global temperatures rise by 1.5°C—a likely scenario—glaciers worldwide (excluding Greenland and Antarctica) may lose up to 40% of their mass, with nearly half facing total disappearance by 2100. The rapid thinning of these glaciers over the past two decades is projected to contribute an additional 9 centimeters (3.5 inches) to rising sea levels.
While historical data shows that northern glaciers were smaller a few millennia ago, the current situation in the Andes defies expected trends. Investigating the chemical composition of bedrock, researchers discovered that glaciers are retreating more now than at any point in the last 11,700 years. The accumulation of beryllium-10 and carbon-14 indicated that certain rock samples had never been exposed to sunlight before.
Despite spending four years validating their findings, the research team found consistent results across samples from four glaciers: Pan de Azucar in Colombia, Queshque in Peru, Zongo, and Charquini Norte in Bolivia. These findings led them to conclude that the glaciers have now shrunk to their smallest size in 130,000 years, though definitive proof remains elusive.
Another study from May 2024 warns that the central range of Peru could lose 84 to 98% of its glaciers by 2050, with complete disappearance expected by 2056. Peru, which houses around 68% of the world's tropical glaciers, has already lost over half of them in the past 60 years.
Further research is urgently needed to determine whether the non-tropical Andes in Chile and Argentina are facing a similar fate. Isolated studies suggest that similar trends might already be underway in Patagonian glaciers.
The Broader Implications of Glacier Retreat
The dramatic retreat of glaciers stands as one of the most visible consequences of human-induced climate change. While polar bears and penguins struggle with diminishing ice, the plight is also visible closer to home. In my region, Mount Tronador's vanishing glaciers tell a poignant story. This phenomenon is not restricted to the Andes; Swiss glaciers have lost 10% of their volume during the extreme summers of 2022 and 2023.
The glaciers of the Andes are crucial for millions, particularly in Bolivia, Chile, and Peru. A 2018 UNESCO report highlights that approximately 20 million Peruvians rely on water from glacier-fed sources. These glaciers act as natural reservoirs, retaining winter snow and releasing it as meltwater during the summer months. However, many have surpassed their 'peak meltwater' phase, resulting in diminished contributions to freshwater supplies and potential droughts.
As we confront a future where these glaciers may no longer exist, the implications for agriculture, drinking water, sanitation, and hydropower are profound. Rounce emphasizes that the focus should not be solely on the negative aspects of glacier loss, but rather on our capacity to effect change: "This is a message of hope."
If this situation does not motivate us to tackle climate change and curb global warming, what will?
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In the Andes, Mountain Guides Bear Witness to Shrinking Glaciers documents the firsthand experiences of those observing this critical environmental shift.