According to United Nations, the lives and livelihood of the people in South Asia are at “high risk” as global warming melts glaciers in the Himalayas.
- Accumulation of science shows us a clear general trend of melting glaciers linked to a warming climate and perhaps other impacts, such as the deposit of soot, reducing the reflection of heat back into space, said the Executive Director of UNEP Achim Steiner, according to a UN press release.
The Norwegian Minister of Environment and International Development, Erik Solheim, announced in Cancun, Mexico on the 7th of December that Norway will support a five- year investment that aims to help communities mainly in India, Pakistan and China to adapt with changes in the glacier and try to investigate why these changes are taking place.
- People in the Himalayas must prepare for a tough and unpredictable future. They need our committed support. Therefore, Norway will fully fund the brand new five-year programme, said Solheim.
Bangladesh has more than 4000 kilometer border line with India. The two countries have 54 rivers in common. The origins of most of the common rivers are in the Himalayan region. Therefore, the programme will also have an impact on people in Bangladesh.
This initiative will be carried out by the Centre for International Climate and Environmental Research (ICIMOC) and UNEP-Grid Arendal.