NEWS – Venezuela has likely become the first country in modern history to lose all its glaciers. The Humboldt glacier, Venezuela’s last glacier, melted at a faster rate than expected, leading to its reclassification as an ice field

CAUSES OF GLACIER DISAPPEARANCE

• Global Warming: Rising temperatures due to greenhouse gas emissions are causing glaciers to melt worldwide.
• Human Activities: Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane, contributing to global warming.

IMPACTS OF GLACIER LOSS

1. Freshwater Source: Glaciers are crucial freshwater sources during dry periods. Their disappearance increases reliance on unpredictable rainfall.
2. Aquatic Ecosystems: Glacier meltwater maintains cooler downstream temperatures vital for aquatic species survival.
3. Sea Level Rise: Melting glaciers contribute to rising sea levels, though Venezuela’s glaciers were not significant contributors.
4. Cultural Impact: Loss of glaciers impacts cultural identity, tourism, and mountaineering activities.

REGIONAL CONCERNS

• India’s glaciers are also melting rapidly, posing water scarcity risks and impacting ecosystems.
• The Hindu Kush Himalayan glaciers could lose up to 80% of their volume if greenhouse gas emissions continue unchecked.