The Ganges, one of the most sacred (and dirtiest) river in India, originates from the Tibetan Glaciers. We all, now, know that the world's glaciers are retreating because of global warming. Jim Hansen , the NASA scientist, co-authored a paper here, with other Chinese scientists, say that they have found evidence that the decline of the Tibetan glaciers is accelerated by black soot aerosols. Asia is the largest source of black soot. If the rate of decline continues, many glaciers could say bye-bye to mother earth as early as 2050!
Now, What will that mean to the billion population (in East and South Asia) who depend on this glacier for fresh water?
- Heavier Spring floods
- Reduced water supplier in the dry season
The rate of decline is quiet alarming in the last decade says Jim Hansen However, V.K Raina a former Deputy Director General of the Geological Survey of India, disagrees. He finds no abnormal retreat as he says to the journalist here. That is not all- his report has been endorsed by the Ministry of Environment & Forestry. The minister Jairam Rakesh , has stated that there is no conclusive evidence that global warming or black soot is causing the glaciers to melt. Yup, they seem to be getting on the global warming skeptics train. A little late though! It baffles me , as to how people in such responsible positions say such things. Even if what he said were true (which is not as we can see by Jim's Hansen's paper) - Isn't it better to error on the side of caution?
Read on the article here as it presents evidence that declining glacier is indeed anthropogenic
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