{"id":54121,"date":"2022-11-11T21:41:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-11T20:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travindy.com\/?p=54121"},"modified":"2022-11-15T22:02:03","modified_gmt":"2022-11-15T21:02:03","slug":"unesco-finds-that-some-iconic-world-heritage-glaciers-will-disappear-by-2050","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/travindy.com\/news\/2022\/11\/unesco-finds-that-some-iconic-world-heritage-glaciers-will-disappear-by-2050\/","title":{"rendered":"UNESCO finds that some iconic World Heritage glaciers will disappear by 2050"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"UNESCO<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

New UNESCO data highlight the accelerated melting of glaciers in World Heritage sites, with glaciers in a third of sites set to disappear by 2050. But it is still possible to save the other two thirds, if the rise in global temperatures does not exceed 1.5\u00b0C compared to the pre-industrial period. This will be a major challenge for COP27.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

50 UNESCO World Heritage sites are home to glaciers (A total of 18,600 glaciers have been identified in these 50 sites, covering around 66,000 km2), representing almost 10% of the Earth\u2019s total glacierized area. They include the highest (next to Mt. Everest), the longest (in Alaska), and the last remaining glaciers in Africa, amongst others, giving a representative overview of the general situation of glaciers in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But a new study by UNESCO, in partnership with IUCN, shows these glaciers have been retreating at an accelerated rate since 2000 due to CO2<\/sub>\u00a0emissions, which are warming temperatures. They are currently losing 58 billion tons of ice every year \u2013 equivalent to the combined annual water use of France and Spain\u2013 and are responsible for nearly 5% of observed global sea-level rise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Only one effective solution: quickly reduce CO2 emissions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The report concludes that glaciers in a third of the 50 World Heritage sites are condemned to disappear by 2050, regardless of efforts to limit temperature increases. But it is still possible to save the glaciers in the remaining two thirds of sites if the rise in temperatures does not exceed 1.5\u00b0C compared to the pre-industrial period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to drastically reduced carbon emissions, UNESCO is advocating for the creation of an international fund for glacier monitoring and preservation. Such a fund would support comprehensive research, promote exchange networks between all stakeholders and implement early warning and disaster risk reduction measures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Half of humanity depends directly or indirectly on glaciers as their water source for domestic use, agriculture, and power. Glaciers are also pillars of biodiversity, feeding many ecosystems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examples of endangered glaciers by region<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Africa:<\/p>\n\n\n\n