Glacier protection laws: potential conflicts in managing glacial hazards and adapting to climate change

Pablo Iribarren Anacona, Josie Kinney, Marius Schaefer, Stephan Harrison, Ryan Wilson, Alexis Segovia , Bruno Mazzorana, Felipe Guerra, David Farías, John M. Reynolds, Neil Glasser

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Citations (Scopus)
432 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The environmental, socioeconomic and cultural significance of glaciers has motivated several countries to regulate activities on glaciers and glacierized surroundings. However, laws written to specifically protect mountain glaciers have only recently been considered within national political agendas. Glacier Protection Laws (GPLs) originate in countries where mining has damaged glaciers and have been adopted with the aim of protecting the cryosphere from harmful activities. Here, we analyze GPLs in Argentina (approved) and Chile (under discussion) to identify potential environmental conflicts arising from law restrictions and omissions. We conclude that GPLs overlook the dynamics of glaciers and could prevent or delay actions needed to mitigate glacial hazards (e.g. artificial drainage of glacial lakes) thus placing populations at risk. Furthermore, GPL restrictions could hinder strategies (e.g. use of glacial lakes as reservoirs) to mitigate adverse impacts of climate change. Arguably, more flexible GPLs are needed to protect us from the changing cryosphere.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)835-845
Number of pages11
JournalAmbio: A Journal of the Human Environment
Volume47
Issue number8
Early online date13 Mar 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01 Dec 2018

Keywords

  • Andes
  • glacial hazards
  • glacier protection laws
  • GLOF
  • mining
  • Mining
  • Glacier protection laws
  • Glacial hazards
  • Argentina
  • Hydrostatic Pressure/adverse effects
  • Freezing/adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Jurisprudence
  • Conservation of Natural Resources/legislation & jurisprudence
  • Ice Cover
  • Mining/legislation & jurisprudence
  • Climate Change
  • Ecosystem
  • Floods/mortality
  • Lakes
  • Chile
  • Kyrgyzstan

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