2022 could well be the third-warmest summer on record – and melting glaciers set the sad backdrop.
Austria has been moaning under the heat and the accompanying drought for weeks. Before our eyes the fruits “burn” in the fields.
According to forecasts from the Central Institute of Meteorology and Geodynamics (ZAMG), 2022 could even become the third hottest summer in measurement history – the last days of August decide between place 3 and 4. The number of warm days (at least 30 degrees) in 2022 is already well above the already high average of the Climate Period 1991 to 2020.
This has major consequences for the water cycle. “Given the current drought with declining groundwater levels, protecting the water with regard to the drinking water supply is more important than ever,” warns Kurt Weinberger, CEO of the Austrian Hagelversicherung.
And our water reserves in the form of glaciers are slipping between our fingers. This is also confirmed by the two Austrian extreme athletes and environmentalists Christian Redl and Josef Köberl.
You have spent the past few days visiting the glaciers in Hintertux and on the Grossglockner and sounding the alarm. “The source of water, bound in ice, is decreasing dramatically. So this winter the glaciers are almost completely empty,” the two report. While there are local initiatives to protect the ice, there is no major master plan.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
