Growing Meltwater Reservoirs—Glacial Lakes Are Both a Resource and a Habitat Worthy of Protection

Growing meltwater reservoirs—glacial lakes are both a resource and a habitat worthy of protection

Should growing glacial lakes be used for energy production and water supply—or remain protected as ecologically valuable systems? A research team from the University of Potsdam, together with partners from the University of Leeds, has recorded the distribution and volume of glacial lakes worldwide. Their findings allow various usage scenarios to be derived, particularly in areas where the largest glaciers still exist today. Their article has bee…

Growing Energy Potential of Glacial Lakes Amid Deglaciation

As the Earth’s ice masses continue their relentless retreat under the influence of a warming climate, an often overlooked yet rapidly transforming resource is emerging: glacial lakes. Recent research by Veh, Schwanghart, Korup, and colleagues delves deep into the evolving potential of these water bodies, highlighting their significance not just as markers of environmental change but as vital, albeit complex, reservoirs with multifaceted implicat…