Due to climate change and global warming, the earth is continuously getting warmer. The areas most affected by climate change; One of them is glaciers. Arctic glaciers, Himalayan glaciers, which are the source of many continuous flowing rivers. According to the report of the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), these are the most affected by climate change.
Reasons behind melting glaciers
If we look at this problem broadly, then the main reason behind it is the continuous warming of the earth. But this reason is the combined result of many other humanized causes. In fact, since the Industrial Revolution, the dependence on human machines has increased continuously and if we talk about the driving factor of these machines, then it runs on fuel and the combustion of fuel produces a lot of smoke and heat, which ultimately leads to the loss of earth. The heat increases the mass.
As the world was progressing in physical development, the natural conditions of the climate were undergoing a radical change. The rate of this change was so frightening that the world’s apex body had to organize a worldwide meeting on the issue of climate change and then an agenda was set and an action plan was made.
Today, one of the most serious issues of the twenty-first century is climate change and the area that has been affected the most by climate change is the melting of glaciers. Rapid urbanization, shifting of remote biodiversity-rich areas for residential settlement, etc. are constantly warming the earth.
effects of glacier melt
The melting of glaciers will reduce the drainage system of perennial rivers. For example, there will be an impact on the water system of the Ganges and its dependent rivers in India. The melting of glaciers will first flood the rivers and later these glaciers will dry up. That means a double whammy.
Since the agriculture system is dependent on glacial rivers. These drying up will affect agricultural productivity which will eventually lead to drought. Apart from this, there will also be frequent floods in island countries and coastal countries. Countries dependent on these may also face drought conditions.
Hydroelectric projects dependent on river water will also be affected by these. Apart from this, it will also have a negative effect on ground water. The melting of glaciers will lead to the formation of artificial lakes on the mountains. The rupture of these lakes will also lead to conditions like floods, earthquakes.
The ambitious National River Interlinking Project of the Government of India will also be affected by this. Apart from this, the salinity will decrease due to clean water supply in the oceans. This will have a negative impact on aquatic biodiversity. The disasters caused by the melting of glaciers will affect different countries. This will eventually lead to a conflict of resources between these countries, which will lead to intercontinental conflict somewhere.
All the countries of the world will have to make coordinated efforts to deal with these dire situations. For this, we will have to work on long-term policies and move forward on the idea of giving priority to the environment over development, then only we will be able to keep water resources safe for the next generation.
