Climate crisis: it rains for the first time on the summit of the Greenland ice sheet
UN climate report: "Red code for humanity. Irreversible consequences"
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August 25, 202 114 million cubic meters of water lost every year on the Adamello Glacier, the largest in Italy.
To understand what it means, just think that the water lost would be used to fill 5600 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
The extension of the glacier has reduced from 19 sq km in 1957 to 17.7 in 2015 and from 2016 to today it has recorded a progressive reduction of 10-12 meters.
These are the data of the monitoring carried out by the "Caravan of glaciers" of Legambiente. Although the thickness of the glacier is considerable (270 meters were measured in Pian della Neve in 2016), it has shrunk in recent years. In a note Vanda Bonardo, responsible for Alpi Legambiente states that "the glacial masses of Adamello, the largest glacier in Italy, strike in size and beauty as they leave great confusion at the thought that in the coming decades, if we continue with the current trend of climate-altering gas emissions, they will no longer be admired by the numerous tourists who reach the Presena pass. Surely one more reason for building greater awareness among citizens and rulers ".
Over 200 glaciers have already disappeared, giving way to debris and rocks. The comparison between today's reality and old photographs of glaciers leaves no doubt. A worrying and global phenomenon that not only involves the loss of fascinating landscapes and biodiversity but is equivalent to the disappearance of important freshwater reserves. Furthermore, the permafrost (the permanently frozen ground), degrading causes instability on the slopes with heavy risks for the high altitude infrastructures.