The Asian Development Bank has launched the regional program "Glaciers to Farms," aimed at combating the destructive consequences of accelerated glacier melting in Central Asia and the South Caucasus, reports Eurasiatoday.ru.
The program's objectives are to preserve glaciers, improve water resource management, and ensure food security in regions where climate change has caused rapid glacier retreat.
As part of the program, an initiative is planned to conduct comprehensive risk assessments of glacier melting in Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. These assessments will serve as the scientific and technical foundation for implementing "Glaciers to Farms."
A glacier study published in the journal Science revealed that the peak melting period in Central Asia will occur between 2035 and 2055 - coinciding with the planned implementation of large-scale hydropower projects currently in the planning stage.
Projections indicate that by 2100, temperatures in Central Asia will rise by 6 degrees Celsius, posing a significant threat to the region's already fragile ecosystems.
The loss of glacier mass presents a severe risk to agricultural and hydropower water supply systems, which are essential for the livelihoods of over 380 million people. In addition to water shortages, the unpredictable glacier melting is expected to increase the risk of floods in river basins.
The program aims to attract up to $3.5 billion in funding from the ADB, governments, development partners, and the private sector, pending approval by relevant boards. It will also prioritize support for vulnerable communities directly threatened by glacier melting, particularly in fragile mountainous regions.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
November 19, 2024