Black Carbon and Melting of Glaciers

A research report from the World Bank titled as Glaciers of the Himalayas, Climate Change, Black Carbon and Regional Resilience has ascertained that glaciers in Himalaya, Karakoram and Hindu Kush mountain ranges are melting faster than the global average ice mass due to increased rate of deposition of Black Carbon.

• The rate of retreat of these glaciers is estimated to be 0.3 metres per year in the west to 1.0 metre per year in the east.

What is Black Carbon?

• It is a form of particulate air pollution, which is emitted as a result of incomplete combustion from biomass burning, cooking with solid fuels, and diesel exhaust. Its potential to absorb light and heat is far more than Carbon Dioxide.

Sources of Black Carbon in the Himalayas

• Brick kiln industries and residential burning of solid fuel accounts for 45–66% of emissions.
• Incomplete combustion of Vehicular diesel fuels accounts for 7–18% of emissions.
• Open burning accounts for the rest of the emissions.
• Policy measures of government to reduce Black Carbon emissions include enhancing fuel efficiency standards for vehicles, phasing out diesel vehicles and promoting electric vehicles, accelerating the use of liquefied petroleum gas for cooking and upgrading brick kiln technologies.