By Tsering Dhundup
DHARAMSHALA, August 19: A scientific expedition has revealed that the Tibet Plateau, often referred to as “Asia’s water tower,” is becoming warmer, wetter, and greener, which may lead to an increase in extreme weather events in the region due to global warming.
The second report of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research which was released on Sunday in Lhasa, Tibet, was initiated on August 19, 2017, and organized over 2,600 expedition teams with more than 28,000 participants.
The investigation focused on a target region encompassing “one glacier, two lakes, and three rivers.” The region is home to the Purog Kangri Glacier, the world’s largest glacier located in a mid to low-latitude region, as well as Siling Lake and Namtso Lake, the largest and second-largest lakes in Tibet, respectively. It is also the birthplace of the Yangtze River, Nujiang River and Yarlung Tsangpo River.
The scientific research found that the Tibet Plateau is becoming warmer, wetter, and greener. The expedition reported that over the past 15 years, the grassland and forest areas of good grade have increased by 6% and 12%, respectively. Additionally, improvements in water conservation, soil retention, wind prevention, and sand fixation were noted, with increases of 1%, 2%, and 70%, respectively.
However, the report also highlighted that the reduction of ice in glaciers and increase in greenery is causing the region to reflect less light into space, potentially leading to major changes in Earth’s weather systems. which could result in adjustments to the Asian monsoon circulation and an increase in extreme weather events in the area.
The impact of climate change has shifted the Tibetan plateau from a dry and cold environment to a warmer and wetter one. For residents of the region, the rising temperatures and increased precipitation have led to improved vegetation coverage. However, the warming has affected the stability of glaciers and permafrost, causing glaciers to melt and permafrost to thaw at a rapid speed. This has led to the expansion of lakes and the formation of new glacial lakes in the region which in turn has increased the frequency of geological disasters in the region and the downward countries.
