Introduction
China's glaciers themselves have undergone a radical transformation over the past sixty years, losing a 26% decline in glacier area since 1960. This steep reduction has meant the complete loss of approximately 7,000 small glaciers, emphasizing the severe impact of surging global warming on the region's cryosphere. (Yahoo News)
Global Context of Glacier Retreat
Glacier retreat is not specific to China. Glaciers worldwide are losing record amounts of ice. Last year's UNESCO report noted that the past three years experienced the largest loss of glacial mass in recorded history. Since 1975, the planet has lost around 9,000 gigatons of ice, equivalent to an ice block of Germany 25 meters thick. (Reuters)
Implications for Water Resources
Glacier retreat has tremendous implications on water resources, particularly for China's arid regions. Glaciers act as natural reservoirs, releasing melt water that affects river runoff, agricultural sustenance, and human consumption.
- Indications of a 5.5% enhancement in Northwest China river runoff during the 1990s due to glacier retreat. (Springer)
- The Qilian Mountains, being a vital source of water for the Hexi Corridor of northwest arid China, have been losing their ice at a rapid pace. In 2015, Landsat images detected 2,748 glaciers covering an area of 1,539.30 km² with an ice volume of 81.69 km³. (MDPI)
This temporary increase in river runoff is not sustainable. As glaciers continue to melt, in the long term availability of water will be more uncertain, impacting agriculture, drinking water, and hydroelectric power production.
Rising Glacier Retreat Disaster Risks
Glacier retreat is highly disaster-prone as well, and particularly glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). The melting glaciers create depressions with water that results in glacial lakes, which may unexpectedly release huge floods onto downstream communities.
- In the Himalayas, chances of GLOFs have increased with rising temperature, endangering human settlements and infrastructure. (MDPI)
Case Study: Glacier Loss in Xinjiang and the Tian Shan
The Xinjiang region of the Tian Shan is experiencing accelerated loss of glaciers:
- Since the 1970s, retreat of glaciers in the region has accelerated strongly.
- Between 1969 and 2014, glacier area decreased by 34.2%, affecting local agriculture and water resources. (Cambridge)
Agriculture and Energy Impact
The reduction of glacial meltwater affects hydroelectric power, drinking water supply, and irrigation.
- Agriculture in the Turfan-Hami oasis relies heavily on glacier-fed rivers. Any decline in glacial melt risks food production and economic stability. (Springer)
- In the Himalayas, glacier melting threatens hydropower plants, which in turn affect energy security in China and India. (The Wire)
Glacial Melt and Global Sea-Level Rise
China's melting glaciers are also contributing to rising global sea levels, which pose catastrophic threats to global coastal communities.
- The UNESCO report identified that catastrophic glacier melting is a leading driver of sea-level rise, threatening millions with flooding and water scarcity. (Reuters)
Scientific Monitoring and Research Efforts
Continuing research and monitoring are key to understanding and relieving the consequences of glacier disappearance.
- The Second Chinese Glacier Inventory offers valuable insights into glacier fluctuation, facilitating the calculation of water resources and disaster risk. (Cambridge)
Conclusion: Something Must Be Done Now
The 26% loss in the area of glaciers in China is an alarming indicator of the worsening effects of climate change. The process has a profound effect on:
✅ Water security
✅ Food and agriculture
✅ Energy production
✅ Risk of disasters
✅ Global sea levels
Action should be taken today to mitigate climate change, reduce carbon emissions, and implement steps to conservation of valuable water resources.