Glaciers on the Edge ❄️
Mountains are vital freshwater reservoirs, feeding ecosystems and communities from the peaks to the plains. But with five of the past six years marking record retreat, our frozen stores are disappearing fast.
According to the United Nations, about 70 percent of the Earth’s freshwater is locked in glaciers and ice sheets. As they melt, we’re staring down a serious climate emergency.
Why It Matters for South & Southeast Asia 💧
The Himalayas and other ranges in our region are the headwaters for rivers like the Ganges, Indus and Mekong. When glaciers shrink, river flows become unpredictable—first surging with meltwater, then dwindling, putting farming, hydropower and drinking supplies at risk in Nepal, Bangladesh, Thailand and beyond.
Risks on the Rise ⚠️
Accelerated melting also spawns glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs)—sudden deluges when ice dams collapse. These events can wipe out villages downstream with little warning.
Global Action & Youth Power 🌍
With COP30 on the horizon and renewed Paris Agreement goals, governments are pledging deeper cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. But youth-led climate groups in Dhaka, Jakarta and Kathmandu aren’t waiting: they’re building community monitoring apps, sharing real-time glacier data and flood alerts via smartphones.
Tech tools like satellite imagery, drones and AI help track glacier health and predict hazards—bringing science to the palm of your hand. 📱🔍
How You Can Help
- Support renewable energy campaigns 🌱
- Share verified climate data on social media 📊
- Join local clean-up and tree-planting drives 🌳
The ice may be melting, but our collective action is heating up. Stay informed, amplify youth voices and help safeguard our water future. 💪
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
