Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — The glaciers of Cartenz Peak, perched atop Papua’s Jayawijaya Mountain range, are shrinking at an alarming rate, underscoring the severe impacts of climate change. According to the Lorentz National Park Office and the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the once-expansive ice cover now spans a mere 18 hectares, a drastic decline attributed to rising global temperatures.
A Shrinking Icy Legacy
BMKG’s recent monitoring data paints a stark picture. The glacier’s thickness, which measured 32 meters in 2010, has dwindled to just 4 meters by late 2024. The surface area has also plummeted, shrinking from 0.23 square kilometers in 2022 to just 0.11–0.16 square kilometers in November 2024. Limited accessibility due to challenging terrain now necessitates satellite imaging and stake-based measurements to monitor the glacier’s retreat.
Climate Change at Work
The melting glaciers are a direct consequence of global warming. BMKG’s Albert C. Nahas noted a 1.45°C increase in global temperatures above pre-industrial levels, with Indonesia experiencing an average rise of 0.15°C per decade. Regions like Papua, Kalimantan, and parts of Sumatra are particularly affected, with climate projections suggesting the country will surpass the critical 1.5°C threshold within the next few decades.
Ecological and Social Ramifications
The retreat of Cartenz Peak’s glaciers poses significant ecological and social challenges. Manuel Mirino, head of Lorentz National Park, emphasized the potential disruption to ecosystems dependent on glacial meltwater. A shrinking snow cover could lead to habitat loss, plant extinction, and water scarcity, directly affecting nearby communities reliant on these resources.
The implications extend beyond environmental concerns. Local populations face heightened risks of drought and diminished water supply, which could exacerbate existing vulnerabilities in one of Indonesia’s most remote regions.
Conservation Challenges
Lorentz National Park, spanning 2.3 million hectares across three provinces—Central Papua, Highland Papua, and South Papua—is Indonesia’s largest UNESCO World Heritage Site. Despite its ecological significance, monitoring and conservation efforts face funding constraints. “Field monitoring is expensive, and we rely on satellite imagery to track glacier changes,” Mirino explained.
BMKG, in collaboration with PT Freeport Indonesia, has been conducting surveys since 2010 to document the glaciers’ transformation. However, with the glaciers nearing a point of no return, these efforts focus on preserving data for posterity rather than halting the inevitable.
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A Global Call to Action
Cartenz Peak’s melting glaciers are a stark reminder of the urgent need for climate action. They symbolize the broader impact of global warming, which is reshaping ecosystems and livelihoods worldwide. The retreat of Papua’s ice caps signals a looming crisis not only for Indonesia but for the global community.
Efforts to mitigate these effects must transcend borders, demanding a united front to combat climate change and protect vulnerable ecosystems like those in Lorentz National Park. As temperatures continue to rise, time is running out to preserve what remains of Cartenz Peak’s frozen legacy.
(Becky)
