Global warming, a well -known global phenomenon, continues to cause disturbing consequences, especially the accelerated melting of glaciers everywhere on the planet. This phenomenon is no longer limited to the poles, it also affects glaciers scattered in different regions of the globe. We cannot ignore how this situation is reflected in the environment and our lives.
A study that reveals the rhythm of disappearance of the ice
In 2021a study published in the deemed review Nature highlighted a tendency that makes you consume: the rhythm of cast iron of the glaciers has doubled between 2010 et 2019 compared to the previous decade. This observation clearly calls for moving to slow down the effects of climate change. The glaciers, real barometers on our planet, decline at a speed never seen before.
Researchers at the University of northern British Columbia in Canada have strengthened this observation. Between 2020 et 2024the glaciers of western North America and Switzerland lost twice as much ice as during the previous decade. As Brian Menounos, professor at this university underlines: “Over the past four years, glaciers in western North America and Switzerland have lost twice more ice as the previous decade”. This loss of ice is such that it would be able to overwhelm Toronto and its 630 km² sous 35 meters of water each year.
Varied causes behind this fast melting
Several factors mingle to speed up this melting of the ice. The general increase in temperatures twinned with a significant drop in precipitation is part of it. Other elements also contribute. For example, the darkening of snow promotes the disappearance of ice. In Switzerland, dust from the Sahara desert landed on glaciers, making them more absorbent in front of the sun and reducing solar reflection.
The forest fires ravaged Canada in 2023 Were not to be outdone: they placed their prize of ashes on the glaciers, further increasing their cast iron and causing seismic consequences. These phenomena clearly show that human actions and natural events combine to worsen the situation on a global scale.
Consequences that make people think and disturbing perspectives
Glacier collapses lead to several short and long -term risks. On the one hand, in the short term, we are witnessing a multiplication of georisques such as the sudden floods of glacial lakes, which directly threatens local populations and their infrastructure. On the other hand, in the long term, the sharp drop in ice runoff is likely to upset local ecosystems and jeopardize the water reserves on which many companies depend.
This phenomenon is not yet completely appearing in current climatic forecasts, thus complicating our ability to plan the future. Brian Menounos launches a warning in these terms: “Instead of seeing our glaciers disappear in 50 anshe might only remain them 30 ans« .
