Colombia’s Glaciers: A Dire Future Without Ice

Colombia’s glaciers, particularly in the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy, are rapidly disappearing due to climate change, with over 90% of their ice lost since the late 19th century. This loss threatens the water supply for local communities and signals broader environmental issues. Experts warn that without significant intervention, Colombia could follow Venezuela in losing all glaciers within a few decades, impacting the country’s water reservoirs and ecosystem. Today, community leaders express deep concerns over future water availability as these glaciers continue to diminish.

At an elevation of 4,200 meters in Colombia’s Sierra Nevada del Cocuy, local guide Edilsa Ibañéz Ibañéz reflects on the stark changes in the region’s glacial landscape. Once, she believed that the glaciers would endure forever, but now she observes their rapid decline. The Sierra Nevada del Cocuy, which now possesses only 36% of Colombia’s total glacial coverage, has lost over 90% of its ice since the late 19th century.

The current landscape is characterized by dry rock that was once snow-covered. Trail markers signify the historical snow line, with the most distant marker from the late 19th century showing a significant retreat of ice. Amidst the thinning glaciers, loud cracking noises emanate from the glaciers as they shift under climatic pressures.

The melting of glaciers impacts all six of Colombia’s remaining glacial areas due to rising temperatures and erratic weather. Colombia faces a critical future, following Venezuela’s loss of all glaciers by 2024, with predictions suggesting that Colombia might experience a similar fate within the next 30 years.

Despite any efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions substantially, Mathias Vuille, a professor of atmospheric and environmental sciences, states that without fresh snow accumulation, the glaciers are doomed. Experts believe the Santa Isabel glacier in Los Nevados National Park will likely disappear first, possibly within five years, horrifying those who have witnessed its decline firsthand.

Residents in high-altitude regions are increasingly concerned about the loss of glaciers, which serve as essential water reservoirs for communities. Vuille emphasizes the glaciers’ role in providing vital water resources, as their melting water is crucial for local populations.

Edilsa Ibañéz Ibañéz expresses apprehension about the future water supply, indicating that her community may soon be the first to exhaust its water resources. Her brother, Hernando, reinforces this concern, noting that significant numbers of families rely on a single aqueduct that may soon run dry.

The alarming rate of glacial loss reflects a broader environmental crisis in Colombia, where diminishing water supplies have led to severe rationing in cities like Bogotá, even prompting suggestions for communal bathing to conserve water. The páramos, unique high-altitude ecosystems, are also threatened, as their water-retention capabilities are intertwined with the health of surrounding glaciers.

Researchers like Jorge Luis Ceballos caution that the loss of glaciers signals larger changes in mountain ecosystems, although the effects on the páramos remain uncertain. The deteriorating ecological conditions have already been exacerbated by climate change, unsustainable agriculture, and forest fires in the region.

As glacial loss continues, Ceballos and his team strive to document these changes and understand methods for adaptation. He admits that there is still insufficient knowledge on effectively preparing for a glacial-free future, but acknowledges the inevitable loss of Colombia’s glaciers and its repercussions.

Local families, such as that of Doris Ibañéz Cristancho, have supported scientific studies to document the declining glaciers that have long shaped their lives and landscape. She expresses a sense of nostalgia as she watches the peaks she once cherished decline, fearing that these natural landmarks may soon exist only in photographs and memories, testifying to a profound loss of environmental heritage.

Colombia’s glaciers face imminent extinction, heavily impacting local communities reliant on them for water. Disappearing glacial resources raise alarms about water scarcity against a backdrop of climate change and environmental degradation. The situation necessitates urgent attention, as these glaciers not only supply essential water but also symbolize the rich natural heritage of Colombia that is at risk of irrevocable loss.

Original Source: www.theguardian.com