Indonesian Glacier Disappearing, a Harbinger of Climate Change
Jayawijaya Mountain’s ‘Eternal Snow’ Faces Extinction
New data paints a bleak picture for the future of Indonesia‘s glaciers, with experts warning of the near-imminent extinction of the famed “eternal snow” atop Mount Jayawijaya.
Recent scientific monitoring has revealed a catastrophic decline in ice cover. By 2024, the glacier had shrunk to an area approximately 0.11 to 0.16 square kilometers smaller than in 2022. “This year, we saw a continued decline in ice thickness. This steak, and difficult stage to maintain again,” said Donaldi Sukma Permana, the Climatology Instrument Standardization Division Coordinator. The dangers of climate change in particular, coupled with local weather fluctuation.
Adding to the urgency is the drastic reduction in ice thickness, now perilously close to just 4 meters making its future delicate and precarious. This alarming shrinkage poses a dire signal for Indonesia’s environment.
Sonora. These timely findings, derived from an ongoing collaboration between researchers from the Indonesian Weather, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), point to a stark reality.
The culprits behind this accelerating melt are multifaceted. The primary driver is the burgeoning threat of climate change.
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Scientists say that global warming is already impacting the arctic. Says science
In 2010, the ice thickness at Puncak Sudirman. Experts warn that if the ice disappears completely, the long-term implications for the region’s hydrological cycle
will be significant.
“If the ice melts entirely, the hydrological cycle and
What are the specific impacts of glacial melt on local communities in Indonesia?
## Indonesia’s Glaciers: A Race Against Time
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today we’re discussing a chilling development in the fight against climate change. Joining us is Donaldi Sukma Permana, the Climatology Instrument Standardization Division Coordinator. Donald, thank you for being here.
**Donald:** It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Host:** So, let’s get right to it. We’ve been hearing concerning reports about the glaciers on Indonesia’s Mount Jayawijaya. Can you give us a sense of the situation?
**Donald:** It’s truly alarming. The “eternal snow” atop Jayawijaya, once a symbol of enduring nature, is melting at an alarming rate. Our latest data shows a dramatic reduction in ice cover. By 2024, the glacier shrank by an additional 0.11 to 0.16 square kilometers compared to 2022. [[1](https://www.weforum.org/stories/2023/10/tropical-glacier-climate-change-elnino-indonesia/)]
**Host:** Those numbers are staggering. What are the primary contributing factors to this rapid decline?
**Donald:** Climate change is the undeniable culprit. Rising global temperatures are causing widespread glacial retreat, not just in Indonesia but across the world. The Eternity Glaciers in Papua province have shrunk by three-quarters in depth between 2010 and 2021. Their total area has gone from 2.4 square kilometers in 2000 to just 0.23 square kilometers. [[1](https://www.weforum.org/stories/2023/10/tropical-glacier-climate-change-elnino-indonesia/)]
**Host:** And what are the broader implications of losing these glaciers? What impact will it have on the region?
**Donald:** The consequences are far-reaching. These glaciers are crucial for water resources, impacting local communities dependent on them for drinking water and irrigation. Their disappearance will disrupt ecosystems and threaten biodiversity.
**Host:** So, what can be done to mitigate this crisis?
**Donald:** Global cooperation is paramount. We need to aggressively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and invest in sustainable practices. Locally, we’re working on raising awareness about the issue and implementing strategies for water conservation.
**Host:** what message would you like to leave our viewers with?
**Donald:** The plight of Indonesia’s glaciers is a stark reminder of the urgency of the climate crisis. We must act now to protect our planet for future generations.
**Host:** Donald Sukma Permana, thank you for your time and your insights. It’s a crucial conversation, and we hope it prompts action.
