Expedition Reveals Rapid Disappearance of Indonesia's Tropical Glaciers
‘Planetary destruction on fast-forward’: witnessing the disappearance of Indonesia’s ‘eternity glaciers’

Image: Theguardian
An expedition to Puncak Jaya in West Papua, Indonesia, has documented the alarming decline of the region's tropical glaciers, which have lost 95% of their area since 2002. Researchers warn that these glaciers may vanish entirely by the end of the decade due to climate change and pollution.
- 01Puncak Jaya's glaciers have shrunk to 5% of their original size since 2002.
- 0297% of Papua's tropical glaciers have melted since 1980, with four out of six glaciers already gone.
- 03The expedition utilized drones to create a 3D model of the glaciers, which are affected by climate change and the El Niño weather pattern.
- 04Local communities face significant losses due to the glaciers' disappearance, impacting water and food security.
- 05The glaciers are projected to be completely gone by the end of the decade if current trends continue.
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An expedition led by Klaus Thymann, founder of Project Pressure, has captured stark footage of the rapidly diminishing tropical glaciers on Puncak Jaya in West Papua, Indonesia. Known as the 'eternity glaciers', these ice formations have lost 95% of their area since 2002, defying earlier predictions of their disappearance by 2026. Thymann expressed deep emotional distress over the glaciers' fate, highlighting the philosophical implications of humanity's impact on nature. Research indicates that Papua's tropical glaciers have lost 97% of their mass since 1980, with projections suggesting the last two glaciers could vanish by the end of this decade. The expedition employed advanced drone technology to overcome challenges posed by cloud cover and rugged terrain, creating a detailed 3D model of the glaciers. The loss of these glaciers poses severe risks to local communities, affecting access to drinking water and food security. The findings underscore the urgent need for action against climate change, as the glaciers represent a critical environmental resource in the region.
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The disappearance of the glaciers threatens local communities' access to essential water resources and food security.
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