Download A Comparative Study of Climate Change and Glacier Loss in the

A Comparative Study of
Climate Change and Glacier Loss
in the Andes and the Tibetan Plateau
Doris Carrion, Rahul D’Sa, Andrew Lyubarsky, Benjamin Shaffer
S
Introduction
S Glacier Loss
S Precipitation Variability
S Andean Highlands
S Roles of El Niño Southern Oscillation and warming trends
S Tibetan Plateau
S Significance of North Atlantic Oscillation and Indian Monsoon
The Andean Highlands
S Countries like Peru have
lost 25% of their glaciers
in the last three decades.
S This graph shows the
glacier mass balance
reduction in the Peruvian
Cordillera Blanca since
the 1950s.
Why Melting in the Andes?
S Always seasonal variation
in precipitation and
temperature
S ENSO: normal conditions
S ENSO: increasing intensity
The Tibetan Plateau
S Rapid retreat of glaciers
S In the past half-century 80% of
glaciers have retreated
S Predicted to see a loss of twothirds of all glacial mass by 2050
S Maritime glaciers are
particularly susceptible to
climate change
S Hydrological cycle
S Increase in precipitation
intensity, decrease in frequency
S Increase in low-level clouds,
which also increase surface
warming – positive feedback
loops
Halong Glacier, Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
1981(top) v. 2005 (bottom)
Conclusions
S Global warming is contributing to glacial loss in both regions, with
different contributing mechanisms (ENSO/NAO/monsoons).
S Warming temperatures may seem to be a boon at first to rural
populations (more runoff water, more arable land due to higher
temperatures)
S However, these benefits are unsustainable. Increased runoff leads to
decreases in total glacial water supply, leading to drought in
agricultural areas and power generation problems for urban areas.
S Strict carbon emissions controls which would lead to lower emissions
scenarios would decrease, but not erase the severity of these trends.