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A study has found that slashing air pollution to the lows experienced amid the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns could be the key to saving the Himalayan glaciers from vanishing before the 2100 milestone. The international team’s analysis presents a silver lining from the pandemic, highlighting a potential path to glacier preservation.
Hey everyone! Let’s unpack some fascinating news that’s just come out about how our big blue sky can impact the frosty peaks of the Himalayas. So, there’s this group of international researchers, real smarty-pants, who’ve been looking into what happened when the world kind of hit the pause button during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns in 2020. Turns out, the air got a whole lot cleaner since a lot of us weren’t driving or running factories as much. And guess what? This cleaner air was like a superhero for the Himalayan glaciers!
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You see, these glaciers are not just giant ice cubes. They’re crucial because they store water and slowly release it, which keeps rivers flowing and helps out with things like farming and drinking water for billions of people in Asia. But, they’ve been melting super fast, which is a bit of a problem.
Now, here’s the cool (literally) part: the cleaner air during the lockdowns meant less soot, or black carbon, was landing on the glaciers. Soot is like a dark blanket that absorbs sunlight and makes things warmer, which is not what you want on ice. Less soot meant the glaciers didn’t melt as quickly – we’re talking about 0.5 to 1.5 millimeters less melt each day, which may not sound like a lot, but it adds up to a whole lot of water staying frozen in those glaciers.
But wait, there’s more! The researchers used all sorts of high-tech tools and models to figure this out, like satellite data and something called the ECHAM6-HAMMOZ chemistry-climate model – it’s a mouthful, I know, but it’s a super sophisticated way to simulate what’s happening in the environment.
What they found is pretty eye-opening. If we can keep air pollution down like it was during those lockdowns, we might just give these glaciers a fighting chance to stick around until the next century. And this isn’t just about the glaciers – it’s about people’s health, water supplies, and even farming. Clean air is a win-win for everyone!
So, what’s the takeaway from all of this sciencey goodness? It’s that human actions really do have a big impact on our planet. By cutting down on pollution from things like cars and factories, we can help protect those icy giants in the mountains, and keep the water flowing for all the people and critters that depend on them. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone, except, you know, in a good, nature-friendly way. Keep it clean, and keep it cool – that’s the message from the mountains!
SOURCE: Air pollution reductions during pandemic lockdown open up a way to preserve the Himalayan glaciers, says study
https://phys.org/news/2023-12-air-pollution-reductions-pandemic-lockdown.html
FAQ’s
1. What is black carbon and how does it affect glaciers?
Black carbon, also known as soot, is a dark blanket that absorbs sunlight and makes things warmer. When it lands on glaciers, it accelerates their melting process. During the lockdowns in 2020, cleaner air meant less black carbon was landing on the Himalayan glaciers, resulting in reduced melt rates.
2. How did the researchers measure the impact of air pollution on the glaciers?
The researchers used various high-tech tools and models, including satellite data and the ECHAM6-HAMMOZ chemistry-climate model. These tools helped them simulate and study the environmental conditions and the effect of reduced air pollution on the glaciers.
3. How much did the glaciers melt during the lockdowns?
The cleaner air during the lockdowns resulted in a reduction of 0.5 to 1.5 millimeters of melt per day on the Himalayan glaciers. While it may not seem significant on a daily basis, it adds up over time and helps in preserving a significant amount of water in the glaciers.
4. Why are the Himalayan glaciers important?
The Himalayan glaciers play a crucial role in storing water and slowly releasing it. This water helps maintain river flow, supports farming, and provides drinking water for billions of people in Asia. Preserving these glaciers is essential for ensuring water security in the region.
5. How can reducing pollution help protect the glaciers?
By cutting down on pollution from sources like cars and factories, we can reduce the deposition of black carbon on the glaciers. This, in turn, slows down the melting process and helps preserve the glaciers for a longer period. It also benefits overall environmental health, water supplies, and agriculture in the region.
Related Wikipedia Articles
Topics: Himalayan glaciers, Black carbon, Air pollutionHimalayas
The Himalayas, or Himalaya ( HIM-ə-LAY-ə, hih-MAH-lə-yə) is a mountain range in Asia, separating the plains of the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau. The range has some of the Earth's highest peaks, including the highest, Mount Everest; more than 100 peaks exceeding elevations of 7,200 m (23,600 ft) above...
Read more: Himalayas
Black carbon
Chemically, black carbon (BC) is a component of fine particulate matter (PM ≤ 2.5 µm in aerodynamic diameter). Black carbon consists of pure carbon in several linked forms. It is formed through the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biofuel, and biomass, and is one of the main types of particle...
Read more: Black carbon
Air pollution
Air pollution is the contamination of air due to the presence of substances called pollutants in the atmosphere that are harmful to the health of humans and other living beings, or cause damage to the climate or to materials. It is also the contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment...
Read more: Air pollution
