Caption: Humboldt peak seen in 2008, before its glacier melted away
The recent news of Venezuela losing its last glacier, the Humboldt peak, due to climate change is a stark reminder of the impact of global warming on our planet’s ice masses. The International Cryosphere Climate Initiative (ICCI) recently downgraded the Humboldt glacier to an ice field, marking a significant loss for the South American nation.
Venezuela has already lost at least six other glaciers in the last century, and the shrinking of the Humboldt glacier is a clear indication of the accelerating rate of ice loss worldwide. With global average temperatures on the rise, the loss of glaciers not only contributes to rising sea levels but also has far-reaching consequences for ecosystems and communities that rely on these ice masses for freshwater supply.
Dr. Caroline Clason, a glaciologist at Durham University, highlighted that the Humboldt glacier has been steadily shrinking since the 2000s and is now considered an ice field. The glacier, which once covered 450 hectares, has now dwindled to just two hectares, according to researchers at the University of Los Andes in Colombia.
While there is no global standard for the minimum size required for a body of ice to be classified as a glacier, the US Geological Survey suggests around 10 hectares as a commonly accepted guideline. The shrinking of the Humboldt glacier below this threshold raises concerns about the future of other glaciers worldwide.
Professor Mark Maslin, a professor of earth system sciences at University College London, emphasized that an ice field like the Humboldt is not a glacier by definition. He explained that glaciers are ice masses that fill valleys, and the loss of these ice masses has long-lasting implications for the surrounding environment.
The Venezuelan government’s attempt to cover the remaining ice with a thermal blanket to reverse the thawing process has drawn criticism from local climate scientists. The potential contamination of the surrounding habitat with plastic particles as the blanket degrades poses additional environmental risks.
As we face the reality of losing more glaciers globally, it is crucial to take immediate action to mitigate the effects of climate change. Dr. James Kirkham and Dr. Miriam Jackson, glaciologists with the ICCI, stressed the importance of rapidly lowering CO2 emissions to save other glacial deposits and secure livelihoods, energy, water, and food security for future generations.
The loss of the Humboldt glacier serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to address climate change and its impact on our planet’s fragile ecosystems. It is a call to action for individuals, communities, and governments to work together to preserve our glaciers and safeguard the future of our planet.