BAUM DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT HISTORIC RETREAT OF ANDEAN GLACIERS
A recent study published in the journal Science shows that the glaciers in the tropical Andes have shrunk to a minimum not seen since the beginning of the Holocene over 11,700 years ago. This alarming development highlights the serious effects of climate change and emphasises the urgency of taking decisive action to protect our planet.
The melting of glaciers is a decisive factor for the global freshwater supply. Glaciers act as natural water reservoirs, releasing meltwater during dry periods to feed rivers. Their retreat threatens the long-term water supply of millions of people, especially in regions that are heavily dependent on seasonal glacier water. Drinking water supplies are also affected, as receding glaciers not only reduce the amount of water available, but can also impair water quality due to increased sediment and pollutant inputs.
BAUM e.V. appeals to companies and decision-makers to fulfil their responsibility and implement sustainable strategies that effectively combat climate change. It is essential to act now in order to safeguard the livelihoods of future generations and conserve our planet's natural resources.
BAUM e.V. helps to sensitise companies and institutions to the economic and ecological risks of the destruction of nature - including the consequences of glacier melt. As co-convenor of the German TNFD Consultation Group, BAUM supports the development of methods for assessing nature-related risks and opportunities in companies. By qualifying stakeholders to develop effective climate strategiesand restore natural ecosystems, BAUM helps to promote resilience along supply chains. This work helps to protect water resources by empowering companies to implement sustainable management concepts, take renaturation measures and integrate nature-based solutions into their business strategies.
BAUM currently also supports providers of tropical forest projects in defining and applying effective KPIs for biodiversity and water monitoring. This is used to determine the performance and changes in tropical forest ecosystems in the context of climate change. In Peru, in the Madre de Dios hot-spot region, BAUM is investigating changes in rainforest protected areas resulting from deforestation fronts, degradation and climate change and advising tropical forest conservation organisations on improvement and adaptation measures.
The findings of the current study should serve as a wake-up call to strengthen our commitment to environmental protection and to work together towards a sustainable future.
Primary source: Recent tropical Andean glacier retreat is unprecedented in the Holocene | Science
Photo by Mayur Arvind on Unsplash
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