009 - Climate Change Mitigation - The Himalayas
Factual Question
What is the impact of climate change upon the Alpine glaciers in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region and their associated river basins?
Debatable Questions
To what extent do Alpine environments hold opportunities for scientific and technical innovation?
To what extent can scientific and technical innovations hold the key to mitigate the process of climate change in Alpine regions?
Key Terminology
Ice Stupas
We will be exploring what an ice stupa is part of the mitigation element of the lesson. If you are still unsure towards the end of lesson of what an ice stupa is click on the 'Useful Link' below:
Useful Link
Activity One - Importance
We have learnt from looking at The Alps in Europe that the water from the glaciers are very important to different stakeholders. We are now going to explore how the water is a vital resource in the Himalayan region.
Watch the YouTube clip below and mind map the following points:
What the area is called.
The amount of people who rely on the region.
The impact that the melting ice is having on the region.
Useful Resource
Impact of Glacier melting on Himalayan Karakoram Region's Rivers
India Science
Activity Two - Describe
As always geographers like to use data to illustrate their arguments and describe change. We are going to explore how a visual stimulus helps us to discover the changes in ice in the Himalayan region.
Using figure one in the 'Useful Resources' box describe the changes in ice thickness and cumulative mass balance. (You many need to click on the link to see the image in its original form.)
Useful Resource
Image One - The Grid - Changing Glaciers in the Hindu Kush Himalayas
Activity Three - Impact
We are now going to explore the impact that the decrease in glacial mass has on its surrounding regions in the Himalayas. Create a detailed example of the consequences that climate change is having on the area.
Places
Process
Perspectives
Activity Four - Possibilities
It has all been a bit 'doom and gloom' so far in the lesson as you have been discovering the consequences that climate change is having on the Himalayan Region in Asia. Geography though also explores the possibilities of how to create positive change. How can scientific and technical innovation help to create appropriate solutions to mitigate the impact that climate change is having on the region?
Useful Resources
Climate Adaptation Programme
Climate Adaptation Policy - India Viewpoint
Swissinfo - Swiss India Collaboration - Swiss Viewpoint
Activity Five - It is possible?
We have now spoken a lot about climate change and how it is negatively impacting the Himalayan Glaciers but things are never quite as simple as that! A recent article on the Geographical has suggested that glaciers in the Himalayas area actually fighting back against global warming. This could help in gaining an understanding if all or any other glaciers may see a reversal in their fortunes. Read the article and answer the following questions:
Why are mountainous ecosystems considered highly sensitive to climate change? Give examples.
Explain why on the southern slopes of Mount Everest the temperatures have actually fallen. You could use a diagram to help you with your explanation.
Is this process of change good for all glaciers in the reason? Explain your answer.
Where has the information about glaciers actually getting colder coming from?
Give reasons why the article should be or should not be trusted.