What's happened
Recent events in Nepal and Switzerland illustrate the severe impacts of climate change on mountain communities. In Upper Mustang, water scarcity has driven families to leave their homes, while the village of Blatten faced evacuation due to a glacier-triggered mudslide, highlighting the urgent need for adaptive measures as glaciers retreat and permafrost thaws.
What's behind the headline?
Climate Change's Direct Impact
- Water Scarcity: In Upper Mustang, the lack of snowfall has led to severe water shortages, forcing families to abandon their homes. Kunga Gurung, a local resident, stated, "We moved because there was no water. We need water to drink and to farm. But there is none there."
- Glacial Retreat: The glaciers in the Hindu Kush and Himalayas are retreating rapidly, with projections indicating that up to 80% of their volume could vanish this century if greenhouse gas emissions are not drastically reduced.
Geological Instability in the Alps
- Mudslides and Evacuations: The recent mudslide in Blatten, Switzerland, underscores the dangers posed by melting permafrost and glacial retreat. Mayor Rene Maeder expressed concern, stating, "Of course, Blatten really upset us."
- Preparedness Measures: Kandersteg, another Swiss village, has invested heavily in monitoring and disaster preparedness, spending over 11 million Swiss francs to avert similar disasters. Residents receive regular updates on geological stability, reflecting a proactive approach to climate-related risks.
Broader Implications
- Global Patterns: The challenges faced by these communities are not isolated. Extreme weather events globally, from droughts in Somalia to storms in the Philippines, are forcing populations to relocate, indicating a widespread crisis driven by climate change.
- Future Outlook: As climate change continues to reshape environments, the need for adaptive strategies will become increasingly critical. Communities must prepare for ongoing changes to their living conditions and resource availability.
What the papers say
According to the South China Morning Post, the situation in Upper Mustang is dire, with Kunga Gurung noting that all three streams have dried up, leading to a chronic water scarcity. In contrast, The Independent highlights the evacuation of Blatten, emphasizing the role of geological shifts and climate change in exacerbating risks in the Alps. Matthias Huss from GLAMOS points out that the retreat of glaciers is accelerating, with 2022 and 2023 being particularly severe years for glacier loss. This juxtaposition of experiences in Nepal and Switzerland illustrates the global nature of the climate crisis, as both regions face unique but interconnected challenges.
How we got here
Climate change is causing significant alterations in weather patterns, leading to water shortages and increased geological instability in mountainous regions. Communities in Nepal and Switzerland are experiencing these effects, prompting relocations and heightened disaster preparedness.
Go deeper
- What measures are being taken to address water scarcity?
- How are communities in the Alps preparing for future disasters?
- What can be done to mitigate the effects of climate change?
Common question
More on these topics
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Switzerland, officially the Swiss Confederation, is a country situated in the confluence of Western, Central, and Southern Europe. It is a federal republic composed of 26 cantons, with federal authorities based in Bern.
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The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe. Its members have a combined area of 4,233,255.3 km² and an estimated total population of about 447 million.
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Nepal, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a country in South Asia. It is mainly in the Himalayas, but also includes parts of the Indo-Gangetic Plain. It is the 49th largest country by population and 93rd largest country by area.