Glaciar retreat consequences in Bolivia

• Published in: Pirineos
• Main Author: Hoffmann, D.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas 2008
• Subjects: Glacial retreat; hydric resources; socio-economic impacts; Bolivia; Retroceso glaciar; recursos hidráulicos; impactos socioeconómicos; Journal of Glaciology
• Online Access: https://pirineos.revistas.csic.es/index.php/pirineos/article/view/23; https://doi.org/10.3989/pirineos.2008.v163.23

Glaciers have proven to be an excellent indicator of climate variations throughout the Holocene there are a number of studies on the recent trend towards disappearance of Bolivian glaciers. But at present, practically no research has been carried out on the consequences the melting and eventual disappearance of the country’s glaciers has and might have on the economic and social situation of its population. Thus, this country study on socio-economic impacts of glacier retreat is a first approach to get an overview of what and where might be expected in the future. Bolivian glaciers represent around 20% of the world’s tropical glacier area (Jordan 1991). The increased melting and disappearance started at the beginning of the 80s, with another increase during the last 5-10 years. Thus it is probable that most of the smaller glaciers which have not already vanished will have completely disappeared within 10 to 20 years from today. Impacts of glacier retreat are most likely to be mainly local, in some cases regional, which means that local authorities must play a vital role in this context. The supply of (drinking) water for the growing urban conglomeration La Paz – El Alto, is the main issue with shrinking glaciers in Bolivia. A la fecha existe un importante número de estudios que demuestran la tendencia actual hacia la desaparición de los glaciares bolivianos. El presente estudio del impacto socio-económico del retroceso de los glaciares es un primer intento de obtener un panorama sobre dónde y qué cambios se podría esperar en un futuro cercano. Aproximadamente el 80% de los glaciares bolivianos tienen una superficie menor a 0,5 km²; por lo tanto, es muy probable que la mayoría de ellos hayan desaparecido completamente durante los próximos 10 a 15 años. Los impactos socio-económicos se harán notar sobre todo en un nivel local, y los elementos más preocupantes son, por un lado, la falta de investigación sobre el tema y por otro, la falta de una conciencia pública sobre el problema en la población boliviana y que ...