Ian Brickey, ian.brickey@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, DC-- Today, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) issued a report finding that climate change is severely threatening glaciers in World Heritage sites.
Under current warming trends, the report found that glaciers in one-third of World Heritage sites will completely disappear by 2050. Right now, 50 UNESCO World Heritage sites are home to glaciers, representing 10% of all glacierized areas in the world. Climate change is causing these glaciers to lose approximately 58 billion tons of ice annually, responsible for 5% of observed sea-level rise around the world.
The report also suggested that glaciers in Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks are very likely to disappear by 2050 under current warming trends.
In response Chris Hill, Senior Director of Sierra Club’s Our Wild America campaign, issued the following statement.
“This report from UNESCO lays out a grim warning for the world’s glaciers and shows that the climate crisis knows no geographic boundaries.
“Glaciers are a critical part of thriving landscapes and ecosystems. Their disappearance is an immense loss not only for Heritage Sites, but also for the climate and for the people who depend on glaciers as their water source. Rapid decline in glacial ice can also result in devastating natural disasters like flooding.”
“But this report is not without hope. We can still act to reach the goals laid out in the Paris Accord, and a vital piece of that is permanently protecting more lands and waters and preserving wildlife habitat. We have no time to lose.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.