Presenter(s): Payton Becker − Economics, Political Science
Faculty Mentor(s): Dave Sutherland
Poster 141
Research Area: Natural/Physical Science
As a region of the world with great potential for economic growth, Southern Asia faces unprecedented levels of air pollution and snow melt. Darkening the Himalayan snow’s surface and increasing its ability to absorb sunlight, the presence of natural and man-made air particulates on ice trigger glacial melting that requires human response. Emission-creating practices in the industrial and agricultural sectors – such as those that originate from factories, long-distance transportation, and biomass burning (“slash and burn” farming) – combine with natural phenomena such as wind storms to spread Black Carbon and other aerosols. These contributors to air pollution lower the single-scattering albedo of snow after landing on it, leading to potential catastrophes and the need for human-initiated mitigation. As this region of the cryosphere continues to warm, countries such as Nepal and India must face the question of whether to formulate policies that pursue economic development or responsible climate practices. Here we show the effects of air particulates on glacial albedo using data collected over multiple years as well as society’s response to the symptoms of Himalayan melting. Actors working to prevent and reduce the severity of the problem take the form of governmental institutions implement policies, spanning from within Himalayan countries to the international community. At risk of facing destruction from a melting cryosphere, human lives and sacred places within the Asian continent rest in the hands of those with the power to regulate industrialization and raise albedo to levels that better reflect the sun’s rays.