4 out of 5 glaciers may be lost by 2100: Study

Original news article- https://www.livemint.com/science/4-out-of-5-glaciers-may-be-lost-by-2100-if-fossil-fuel-use-continues-study-11673017043812.html

According to Mint, A study showed that If the use of fossil fuels still continues to be persistent, it is estimated that 80% of glaciers (or 4 out of every 5 glaciers) are at risk of melting by 2100- the century's end.

image source- https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/environment/global-warming/4-out-of-5-glaciers-may-be-lost-by-2100-study/articleshow/96786965.cms

While it depends on efforts to help reduce climate change, the study shows that almost 41% of the worlds total glacier mass could be lost.

"Even in the best-case scenario, where the increase in global mean temperature is limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius relative to pre-industrial levels, over 25% of glacial mass will be gone. It is said nearly 50% of glaciers by number are projected ton disappear."

image source- https://www.livemint.com/science/4-out-of-5-glaciers-may-be-lost-by-2100-if-fossil-fuel-use-continues-study-11673017043812.html

According to the study, even while lost glaciers are smaller, their disappearance could have a great impact on the tourism, local hydrology, glacier hazards and cultural values.

Temperature increases of more than 2 degrees Celsius will have a disproportionately detrimental effect on smaller glacial regions, such as Central Europe, Western Canada, and the United States. According to the study, glaciers in these places nearly totally vanish with a 3 degree Celsius rise.

"Even if the rate of emissions to the environment is cut today, it will not remove the greenhouse gases that have been in the environment. The study said even a complete halt to emissions would still take between 30 and 100 years to be reflected in glacier mass loss rates."

The study, which was conducted by Assistant Professor David Rounce from Civil and Environmental Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University in the US shows how models account for different types of glaciers, that includes tidewater and debris-covered glaciers.

"While tidewater glaciers refer to those that terminate in the ocean, debris-covered glaciers are those that are covered by sand, rocks, and boulders.

Prior work by David Rounce has shown that the thickness and distribution of debris cover can have a positive or negative effect on glacial melt rates, depending on their thickness."