Geo glaciers and pakistan

amount of glaciers in pakistan

7253

The measure of how much sunlight a surface reflects.

Albedo

The loss of ice from a glacier due to melting, evaporation, or breaking off (calving).

Ablation

The process where snow and ice build up on a glacier.

Accumulation

A large, slow-moving mass of ice formed from compacted layers of snow.

Glacier

location

south asia

bordering countries

Afghanistan, China, India, and Iran

northern mountains

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan

tallest peaks

13 of the world’s 30

is covered by glaciers

estimated area of 15,000 km2             

worlds average temp increase

1° Celsius since 1880

leads to less ice accumulation

Decreased Snowfall

Air pollution and soot reduce glacier albedo, causing them to absorb more heat.

What is one national-scale cause of glacier melt in Pakistan?

Tree roots stabilize soil; without them, glaciers become more unstable and the natural cooling effect is lost.

How does deforestation contribute to glacier destabilization?

Glaciers lack legal protection; tourism and waste dumping accelerate melting.

Why is poor environmental protection a problem for Pakistan’s glaciers?

Trucks collect glacier ice daily due to lack of refrigeration, worsening erosion.

How does daily transport contribute to glacier erosion?

A Glacial Lake Outburst Flood, caused when unstable ice or debris dams burst.

What is a GLOF?

Unreliable water supply and floods damage crops and increase food costs.

How do melting glaciers reduce agricultural output?

By 20–60 cm globally.

How much are sea levels projected to rise by 2100?

33 glacial lakes are at risk of bursting, potentially causing GLOFs.

What environmental risk affects 7.1 million people in Pakistan?

Cause displacement, mental health stress, and destruction of villages.

How do GLOFs affect social well-being?

Destroyed homes, a bridge, hydro plants, and vital infrastructure.

What was a major impact of the 2022 Shisper Glacier flood?

Destroy infrastructure and force billion-dollar investments in dams and flood protection.

How do GLOFs affect the economy?

Keep global warming below 2°C, aim for 1.5°C, and reach carbon neutrality by mid-century.

What are key goals of the Paris Agreement?

Near universal participation and periodic review of national contributions.

What is a major strength of the Paris Agreement?

Lacks legal enforcement and relies on voluntary national actions.

What is a key weakness of the Paris Agreement?

Adaptation and emissions reduction through clean energy and afforestation.

What are Pakistan’s climate goals under its National Climate Change Policy?

A forest revival initiative planting over 1.42 billion trees.

What is the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Project?

Funding shortages and limited impact on global emissions due to low national output.

What are key weaknesses of Pakistan’s Climate Policy?

A local project to prepare for glacial flood risks via early warnings, training, and infrastructure.

What is the GLOF II Project?

Community involvement, weather stations, early warning systems, and proven success.

What are strengths of GLOF II?

Underfunding, implementation delays, safety issues, and lack of glacier melt prevention.

What are weaknesses of GLOF II?

By monitoring glatiers in remote locations

How is Pakistan using spatial technology to monitor glaciers?

Too few stations for 7000+ glaciers; difficult terrain limits access and data.

What is a limitation of Pakistan’s spatial monitoring?

goal is to protect people and the economy from climate impacts and reduce emissions

Pakistan National Climate Change Policy (NCCP)

Pollution (soot) darkens glacier surfaces, reducing their reflectivity (albedo), so they absorb more heat and melt faster.

How does air pollution contribute to glacier melt in Pakistan?

Glacier-formed lakes burst, causing sudden floods. Over 7 million people in Pakistan are at risk from these floods.

Why are GLOFs so dangerous?

Melting glaciers can reduce crop yields, cause water shortages, and raise sea levels, leading to flooding and coastal damage.

What are some global impacts of melting glaciers?

It’s a global deal to keep temperature rise below 2°C. Countries set their own plans to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change.

What is the Paris Agreement and what does it aim to do?

To protect mountain communities from floods by building warning systems, flood barriers, and training locals.

What is the goal of Pakistan’s GLOF II Project?

Installing glacier monitoring stations to track snow, melt, and weather in real time helps prepare for floods.

How is Pakistan using technology to monitor glacier melt?