Reducing Soot Levels: A Key to Preserve Himalayan Glaciers Amid Pandemic Uncertainty

The restriction on movement has brought to the forefront of public concern the threat of global warming on the Himalayan mountain glaciers. These glaciers are at risk of complete melting if carbon dioxide emissions are not controlled. Even if the climate warms by only one and a half degrees, a third of these glaciers could still disappear, with melting continuing at some pace due to the long-lasting effects of carbon dioxide in the air.

The Himalayas and Tibetan highlands play a vital role in preserving glaciers and the snow that feeds them, as they are the source of ten major rivers in Asia. The snow melting in the spring provides water for about half of the annual needs of four billion people. To slow down this rate of snow loss significantly, reducing air pollution, particularly black carbon or soot, is crucial.

Research by Indian, German, and British scientists published in the Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics journal revealed that reducing soot levels to those observed during the pandemic lockdown could have a positive effect on slowing down snow melting in the Himalayas by up to half. The cleanliness of the air during South Asia’s pandemic lockdown reduced transportation over these mountains, leading to lighter and less heat-absorbent snow surfaces. This reduced buildup helped preserve snow during spring and slowed down melting rates. Preserving snow cover is essential for glacier preservation as it helps with slow melting processes and ice formation.