State of the Cryosphere 2023 Report

The recently released State of the Cryosphere 2023 report highlights the profound impacts of global temperature rise on Earth’s frozen water, emphasizing the vulnerability of the cryosphere to climate change. The report underscores the alarming trends, including the loss of tropical glaciers, mid-latitude glaciers, and polar regions, with a specific focus on the Himalayas.

Key Findings

1. Global Ice Loss: The report predicts the disappearance of nearly all tropical glaciers, most mid-latitude glaciers, and polar regions, even if the world manages to limit global temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius above the preindustrial era.
2. Himalayan Impact: The Himalayas are expected to lose 50% of their current ice if global average temperatures reach 2°C. This has significant implications for water resources and ecosystems in the region.
3. Current Impact: The impacts are already noticeable at the current temperature rise of 1.2°C, with glaciers in the northern Andes, East Africa, and Indonesia rapidly disappearing.
4. Cryosphere as Ground Zero: Experts consider the cryosphere, encompassing ice sheets, sea ice, permafrost, polar oceans, glaciers, and snow, as ground zero for climate change.
5. Urgency of 1.5°C: The report emphasizes that, from the cryosphere’s perspective, limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C is not just preferable but the only viable option.
6. Climate Disasters in 2023: The report connects the year 2023 to climate disasters and ice loss, urging global leaders to reconsider the 2°C target.

Specific Impacts and Concerns

1. Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF): The flash flood in Sikkim triggered by a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) is highlighted, emphasizing the catastrophic consequences.
2. Swiss Glaciers: Swiss glaciers lost 10% of their remaining ice over two years, indicating a rapid decline.
3. Antarctic Sea Ice: Sea ice around Antarctica reached an all-time low during both summer and winter.
4. Arctic Ocean: At 2°C, the Arctic Ocean is projected to be free of sea ice almost every year, with up to four months without ice from July to October.
5. Carbon Dioxide Concentrations: Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations reached 50% above pre-industrial levels in 2023, with CO2 concentration at 424 parts per million.
6. Ice Sheet Loss: Earth’s ice sheets lost 7,560 billion tonnes of ice between 1992 and 2022, with the last decade witnessing the seven worst years of ice loss.
7. Sea-Level Rise: Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets could contribute between 12-20 meters of sea-level rise at 2°C.
8. Permafrost Thaw: Both 2°C and 1.5°C scenarios could lead to extensive permafrost thaw, releasing significant CO2 and methane emissions.

COP28 and Urgent Action

The report comes ahead of the 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, urging global leaders to prioritize the commitment to “1.5°C alone” to safeguard the cryosphere.

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2023

Category: Environment Current Affairs • Reports & Indexes Current Affairs