The area of glaciers in China has reportedly shrunk by 26% in the past six decades, with about 7,000 small glaciers having completely disappeared. This phenomenon is due to increasing global warming, which has accelerated the melting of glaciers in recent years.
Glaciers in China are located in the west and north, including the regions of Tibet, Xinjiang, as well as the regions of Sichuan, Yunnan, and Qinghai. In 2020, China's glacier area was recorded at 46,000 square kilometers compared to around 59,000 square kilometers between 1960 and 1980. This change not only affects water supplies in local areas but also contributes to global sea level rise that could threaten populations around the world.
In an effort to save the melting glaciers, China has used several technologies such as artificial snow systems to slow down the melting process. This drastic loss of ice is occurring worldwide, and is expected to continue to occur rapidly due to climate change caused by the burning of fossil fuels.