The tragic debris-laden flash flooding in the Himalayas is a terrifying event and we stand with all those affected by its devastating impacts.
As scientific analysis continues to emerge, what remains clear is that the accelerated warming of the Himalayas is happening much faster than the global average, causing glacial melting and retreat, with grave risks for communities
The Himalayas are especially vulnerable, with many of its mountain slopes made of permafrost – rock and soil frozen for centuries. As temperatures rise, these slopes are beginning to melt or destabilise. If an earthquake or slope failure occurs, it can trigger a sudden and devastating debris and water flow.
We know the great ice stores of the Himalayas, and the communities in those regions, are at increasing risk.
Fossil fuel mining is loading the dice for even more catastrophic climate-induced disasters around the globe, often wreaking devastation on communities who contribute the least to climate pollution, but are most vulnerable to its effects.
It is imperative Australia acts urgently to end fossil fuel mining and advance the rollout of clean energy to cut climate pollution, and help vulnerable communities prepare and respond to climate-induced disasters, here and around the world.
