Based on research findings and TPE’s focus over the years on the functioning of the Third Pole, TPE’s insights on Third Pole climate change, particularly the key role of water, are impressively reflected in the United in Science 2020 Report, a UN-led compilation of the latest climate science information generated by multiple organizations.
Water’s crucial influence on climate change has been “heavily underlined” in the new report, said
Prof. YAO Tandong, co-chair of Third Pole Environment (TPE) and contributor to the report. The work contributed to the United in Science 2020 Report through TPE was financially supported by the science projects of PAN-TPE and STEP, both closely linked to TPE through international organizations and partnerships. The report estimates that the Tibetan Plateau region will reach peak water between 2030 and 2050, referencing an earlier article prepared under the leadership of TPE and submitted to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The report noted that runoff from glaciers, snow cover, and permafrost in the region provides up to 45% of total river flow. Flow decrease will ultimately affect water availability for 1.7 billion people with a GDP of US$12.7 trillion.
TPE’s observation network played a key role in acquiring the data for the report. It includes 51 sites that track glacial thickness changes, 35 focused on glacial mass balance, 16 following permafrost changes, six monitoring snow cover changes, and 16 that collect hydrological and meteorological data.
Rapid changes in glaciers are particularly concerning since they may lead to
natural hazards such as ice collapses, glacial surging, glacial debris flows, as well as glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF). To help mitigate these risks, TPE is working with
STEP and
PAN-TPE to develop monitoring and early-warning projects in disaster-prone sites at the Third Pole.
All in all,
TPE is working to use its knowledge of the Third Pole for social good. YAO said the
observation network and
data center TPE has built at the Third Pole over the years has allowed it to steer research resources to scientifically and socially challenging topics such as water. He also noted that TPE is working with WMO to build
an integrated global cryosphere information system. “It will provide more scientific insights in order to promote regional as well as global well-being,” said YAO.
