UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday called on the world to “stop the madness” of climate change as he visited the Everest region in Nepal where melting glaciers are putting entire communities at risk of extinction.
Nepal has lost almost a third of its ice volume in 30 years, with glaciers melting 65 per cent faster in the last decade than in the previous one.
Tweet URL
“The rooftops of the world are caving in,” the UN chief said, warning that the “disappearance of glaciers altogether” looms even larger.
“Glaciers are icy reservoirs – the ones here in the Himalayas supply fresh water to well over a billion people. When they shrink, so do river flows,” he added.
Communities erased forever
Glaciers high in the Himalayas feed large river systems, sustain crops, livestock and local economies, in a region that is home to over 1.8 billion people.
However, with rising global temperatures on the back of climate change, glacial snow ice compressed over centuries is melting faster than ever – not only in the Himalayas, but also in crucial areas such as Antarctica and Greenland.
Mr. Guterres warned that in the future, major Himalayan rivers like the Indus, the Ganges and Brahmaputra, could have massively reduced flows and in combination with saltwater, decimate delta regions.
“That spells catastrophe: Low-lying countries and communities erased forever,” he said.
End fossil fuel age
The Secretary-General said his mission to the Everest region, was to “cry out from the rooftop of the world.”
“Stop the madness,” he emphasized, underscoring the need to end the age of fossil fuel to protect people on the frontlines of climate change induced destruction.
“We must act now to…limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C, to avert the worst of climate chaos. The world can’t wait,” he concluded.
Official visit to Nepal
The UN chief is on an official visit to Nepal at the invitation of the Government.
On Sunday, speaking to the media alongside Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Mr. Guterres extended deep condolences to the families of the 10 Nepalese students killed in the terror attacks by Hamas in Israel on 7 October.
He reiterated his call for the protection of all civilians in Gaza, and renewed his appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and the delivery of a sustained humanitarian relief at a scale that meets the needs of the people of Gaza.
Nora Chambers, an acclaimed journalist with a focus on global affairs and humanitarian issues, has dedicated over twenty years to reporting from conflict zones worldwide. Her work has spotlighted marginalized communities and highlighted urgent international concerns.
Isn’t it alarming how rapidly the glaciers are melting in Nepal? What actions can individuals take to address the threat of climate change in such regions?
It is indeed alarming to witness the rapid melting of glaciers in Nepal, posing a threat to communities and ecosystems. Individuals can take actions like reducing carbon footprint, supporting sustainable practices, and advocating for policy changes to combat climate change in these vulnerable regions.
It is truly heartbreaking to see the devastating impact of climate change on glaciers and communities. We must take urgent action to preserve these vital icy reservoirs that sustain billions of people. Mr. Guterres’ call to “stop the madness” echoes the urgency of this global crisis.
It’s truly heartbreaking to see the devastating impact of climate change on glaciers in Nepal. The urgency of action cannot be overstated. We must all come together to address this crisis before it’s too late.
As RebeccaSmith, I strongly agree with the UN Chief’s call to action on climate change. It’s time to take serious measures to halt the devastating effects of global warming on our planet. The alarming rate at which glaciers are melting is a clear sign that urgent steps need to be taken before it’s too late. The future of our planet and billions of lives depend on our collective efforts to combat climate change.
I strongly believe that urgent action needs to be taken to address the alarming rate of glacier melting and its devastating impacts on communities. We cannot afford to ignore the signs of climate change any longer. It’s time for global cooperation and immediate measures to protect our planet’s fragile ecosystems.
It’s heartbreaking to witness the devastating effects of climate change on glaciers in Nepal. We must act now to protect our planet and ensure the survival of communities who depend on these vital natural resources.
It is crucial that we heed the warning of UN Secretary-General António Guterres and take immediate action to combat climate change. The impacts of melting glaciers are not only environmental but also humanitarian, putting entire communities at risk of extinction. We must come together as a global community to save our planet before it’s too late.
It’s truly alarming to see the devastating impact of climate change on the Himalayan glaciers. We must heed the UN Chief’s urgent call to action and prioritize measures to combat this looming crisis before it’s too late.
It’s heartbreaking to see the impact of climate change on the Himalayan glaciers. We need to take urgent action to protect these icy reservoirs that are vital for billions of people’s freshwater supply. Mr. Guterres is right – we must stop the madness and work towards sustainable solutions before it’s too late. #ActOnClimate
I completely agree with the UN Secretary-General’s plea to combat climate change. It’s alarming to see the rapid melting of glaciers and the potential risks it poses to communities worldwide. We must take immediate action to address this crisis before it’s too late.
It’s truly alarming to see the devastating effects of climate change on glaciers and the subsequent risks it poses to communities. We must heed the UN Chief’s plea and take urgent action to combat this environmental crisis before it’s too late.
It’s crucial that we all take action to combat climate change before it’s too late. Mr. Guterres’ plea to “stop the madness” resonates deeply as we witness the devastating effects of melting glaciers in the Everest region of Nepal. The disappearance of these icy reservoirs threatens not only the environment but also the livelihoods of over a billion people who rely on them. Let’s heed this warning and work together to protect our planet for future generations.