"The world could lose thousands of glaciers each year over the coming decades unless global warming is curbed, leaving only a fraction remaining by the end of the century. A scientific study published on Monday in Nature Climate Change warned that unless governments take action now, the planet could reach a stage of peak glacier extinction by midcentury with up to 4,000 melting each year."
"About 200,000 glaciers remain in the world, and about 750 disappear each year. That rate could rise more than fivefold if global temperatures soar by 4 degrees Celsius (7.2 degrees Fahrenheit) from pre-industrial levels and accelerate global warming, according to the report, which predicted only 18,288 glaciers would remain by the end of the century. Even if governments meet their pledges to limit warming to 1.5C (2.7F) under the Paris Agreement, the world could still end up losing 2,000 glaciers a year by 2041."
"The United Nations Environment Programme already warned last month that warming is on track to exceed 1.5C in the next few years. It predicted that even if countries meet promises they have made in their climate action plans, the planet will warm 2.3C to 2.5C (4.1F to 4.5F) by the end of the century."
About 200,000 glaciers remain worldwide, with roughly 750 disappearing each year under current conditions. If global temperatures rise 4°C above pre-industrial levels, the annual glacier loss rate could exceed 4,000, and only 18,288 glaciers may remain by 2100. Even with limits to 1.5°C warming, losses could reach 2,000 glaciers per year by 2041, eliminating a little more than half of existing glaciers by century's end. United Nations projections place likely warming between 2.3°C and 2.5°C under current national pledges. Near-term policy and societal choices will determine whether losses follow lower or higher scenarios.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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