The tropical glaciers located in the Jayawijaya Mountains of Papua, Indonesia, known locally as the "eternal snow," are facing an imminent threat of complete disappearance. These glaciers, unique in location and cultural significance, are rapidly declining due to the acceleration of their melting, closely linked to climate change. Their loss would not only severely compromise the local ecosystem but also cause irreparable damage to the sacred sites of indigenous communities residing in the region.
The loss of ice poses a threat to the balance of the mountainous environment and challenges the future of local traditions associated with the "eternal snow," a symbol deeply rooted in the culture of indigenous populations.
Global climate change is the primary driver of the accelerated melting of glaciers. The rise in global temperatures has had a direct impact on tropical glaciers, which are particularly vulnerable. Compounding the situation is the El Niño phenomenon, characterized by the anomalous warming of tropical Pacific Ocean waters, contributing to extreme climatic conditions throughout the area.
El Niño induces significant climatic effects, including heatwaves, prolonged droughts, and irregular precipitation, which hasten the melting process. Donaldi Sukma Permana, an expert from BMKG, stated that climate change is now an evident reality in Indonesia, and the combination of these factors could lead to the complete disappearance of the glaciers by 2026, if not within the next two years.
The glacier crisis at Puncak Jaya represents a dramatic symbol of the consequences of climate change on a global scale. The loss of these glaciers, once considered permanent, would have irreversible ecological, cultural, and scientific repercussions. These ice formations, in addition to being an important resource for studying past climates and atmospheric variations, host a unique ecosystem that risks being entirely wiped out.
The rapid reduction of glacial coverage underscores the urgency for targeted interventions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adopt effective adaptation measures to protect the few remaining tropical glaciers in the world. Their disappearance is not just a loss for Indonesia but for the entire planet, a clear warning about the dangers of global warming and the necessity for immediate actions to mitigate its devastating effects.