Climate

West Wales scientists to test if snow is melting high on Everest

Published

3 months ago

September 18, 2024

RESEARCHERS plan to test if the snow high up on Everest is melting, threatening the water supplies of over one billion people.

Despite air temperatures being well below zero on the highest mountain on Earth, it is believed that the snow may be melting due to rising air temperatures combined with intense solar radiation.

If the theory proves correct, it would suggest that the glaciers in the Himalayas are thawing faster than expected.

Glaciers in the highest mountains of the planet are an extremely important source of water with over one billion people – including many in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh – depending on Himalayan runoff.

Changes in the rate of glacier thawing would threaten this water supply. Another danger would also be more flooding from failures of natural ice dams, or so-called Glacial Lake Outburst Floods.

The new project follows previous findings by Aberystwyth University and University of Leeds researchers which showed that the temperature of the ice in the lower parts of Khumbu Glacier, at the foot of Mount Everest, is warmer than would be expected given the local air temperature.

As part of the research, Professor Bryn Hubbard from Aberystwyth University will work with Professor Duncan Quincey of the University of Leeds to lead a team to the Western Cwm, over six kilometres above sea level and half a kilometre above base camp.

The researchers expect to go on their first trip in spring 2025 to drill into the surface of the upper reaches of Khumbu Glacier and use the boreholes to record temperatures. The team will also install automatic weather stations at the study sites.

This data will help them look for evidence of melting and refreezing within the glacier’s surface snowpack.

Professor Bryn Hubbard from Aberystwyth University’s Department of Geography and Earth Sciences said:

“It may well be a bit of a surprise to many that snow is melting within the mountain’s Western Cwm, but it is increasingly likely and it needs to be investigated and measured if we are going to be able to identify the effects of climate change on this water-stressed region and beyond.

“Understanding and recording what actually happens inside these glaciers is critical to developing computer models of their response to anticipated climate change. Equally important is developing a better understanding of how they flow so that we can better predict when dams that form on these glaciers are likely to be breached, releasing destructive volumes of water to the valleys below. This is a real risk in the Himalayas as it is in other regions such as the Andes and has the potential to endanger the lives of thousands of people.”

Scientific observations are rarely made at high altitudes because of the logistical challenges in transporting equipment.

The team is designing a new lightweight drilling setup to overcome these barriers. However, it will still face problems such as maintaining battery power in freezing temperatures and working in areas with harsh living conditions and low levels of oxygen.

Professor Duncan Quincey explained:

“Our previous work has relied on helicopters to transport our equipment onto the glacier, but given how thin the air is in the Western Cwm, we can’t be sure the helicopters will be able to fly this time. We also won’t know quite how the equipment will fare in such harsh conditions, because it is designed to operate in much warmer conditions – as could also be said for the human body! But if we can successfully drill even a single borehole within the Western Cwm, that will be a major success. Most importantly, it will lead us to being able to model how water supplies are likely to change for a large part of the world’s population with much greater certainty.”

Professor Hubbard added:

“This work will also give us a new understanding of processes and changes that are relevant for all glaciers in similar settings world-wide. Hopefully, it will resolve outstanding debates about the possibility of net mass loss at the world’s highest elevations and indicate the extent to which other glaciers within the Himalayas may also contain unexpectedly warm ice.

“We should also be able to provide insights into a rarely observed cryospheric zone that can inform public policy on climate change. As part of this, we will be providing further evidence for supporting agencies such as the United Nation’s Development Programme, and the Nepalese government. This should help them prepare for, and mitigate against, a now inevitable change in meltwater supply as climatic changes continue to influence the region.”

The project is funded by the Natural Environment Research Council and is a collaboration between academics from Aberystwyth and Leeds universities.

Climate

Impact of Storm Darragh on NRW’s woodland estate ‘significant’

Published

4 days ago

December 15, 2024

Tom Sinclair

AS THE NATION continues to recover from the significant impacts of Storm Darragh’s 90mph winds and rainfall (7 and 8 December), Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is continuing the challenging task of assessing the damage to its forests and nature reserves and working hard to restore its sites for visitors to return.

NRW’s land managers have been working hard across Wales to assess the damage to the land in its care, prioritising clearing trees from forest roads that have blocked forest resident access to their homes, and enabling emergency services and utilities to restore power and services to the public.

Early indications are that the impact on the Welsh Government Woodland Estate is significant with large areas of trees fallen in widespread areas across Wales.

Many kilometres of forest roads, walking trails and mountain bike routes are obstructed by fallen trees and branches and it will take time to clear them.

While this important work to restore access to trails continues, people are currently advised not to travel to NRW’s forests and reserves. While visitor centres are re-opening following the storm, people should check NRW’s website before planning a visit as car parks and other facilities may need to be closed at short notice as recovery operations continue.

The recovery work will focus on making sure trails and forest roads are accessible. Visitors should follow any instructions given by signs or local staff, including any trail diversions or closures and beware of the dangers of falling trees and branches.

Gavin Bown, Head of Operations Mid Wales for NRW, said: “Storm Darragh impacted communities right across Wales, with thousands of homes experiencing power cuts, and communities impacted by fallen trees and flooding. Our sympathies go out to those affected.

“The storm has taken a significant toll on the land in our care as well. A huge amount of work went into preparing for and responding to Storm Darragh, and the improved weather this week has allowed us to start the long road to recovery.

“We’re inspecting our sites to assess the damage, and our land managers and contractors are prioritising work to clear blocked roads and trails. But this will take some time. The impacts we have seen will likely affect planned forest and harvesting operations for years to come.

“While we’re undertaking that important work to get your trails back to normal, those who use them for recreation are advised not to travel to our sites at this time.

“We are providing the latest information about the status of specific sites and trails on our website, and on our social media channels. You should always follow any instructions given by signs or local staff including any trail diversions or closures, and beware of the danger of falling trees or branches.”

Information about closures or diversion at NRW’s visitor centres, forests and nature reserves can be found online at https://naturalresources.wales/days-out/places-to-visit/

Climate

Push to speed up planning process ‘risks sidelining public opinion’

Published

1 week ago

December 12, 2024

Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter

CHANGES to planning law risk sidelining the voice of the public in decisions on significant new energy projects, Senedd Members warned.

Plaid Cymru’s Luke Fletcher said accountability in planning decisions will be undermined by new regulations on major projects, known as developments of national significance (DNS).

Mr Fletcher told the Senedd the regulations will raise the threshold at which energy projects are decided by Welsh ministers from 10MW to 50MW, marking a fundamental shift.

The shadow economy secretary said: “Projects that could have considerable impacts on communities, landscapes and ecosystems will now receive less scrutiny, with the decision making process potentially expedited at the expense of … thorough democratic oversight.

“While we recognise the need for efficiency in the planning system, this cannot come at the cost of transparency and community involvement.”

Plaid Cymru MS Luke Fletcher — Plaid Cymru’s shadow economy secretary, Luke Fletcher

Mr Fletcher told the Senedd that energy projects under 50MW can have profound effects, so it is vital communities have a meaningful voice.

“Yet these regulations risk sidelining that voice in the interests of speed and convenience,” he warned as he called on the Welsh Government to reconsider the reforms.

Raising concerns about the transfer of decision-making powers from Welsh ministers to appointed inspectors, he said: “Public confidence in the planning process depends on a system that is not only efficient but fair, transparent and open to challenge.”

He supported action to meet net-zero targets but said this must be done in a way that respects the rights of communities and safeguards the natural environment.

Mr Fletcher told the debating chamber or Siambr: “By prioritising speed over scrutiny, these regulations fail to strike that right balance.”

Rebecca Evans, cabinet secretary for economy, energy and planning

But Rebecca Evans, Wales’ economy secretary, said: “I’m afraid Plaid Cymru seems to have completely misunderstood the regulations which are being debated today.

“The application and determination process doesn’t change at all with the delegation of determinations to inspectors. The community engagement statutory consultees and the policy framework all remain exactly the same.”

Ms Evans, who is responsible for planning and energy, added: “Just to emphasise again that there is no change whatsoever to requirements around community engagement….

“So, the fundamental objection that Plaid Cymru has … doesn’t have any foundation at all.”

She said the regulations are an interim arrangement until the Infrastructure Act, which was passed by the Senedd this year, comes into force in September 2025.

The consenting process for major infrastructure projects will be overhauled under the Act, with the DNS system replaced by a streamlined regime.

The Senedd voted 36-12 in favour of the regulations which will come into force in January.

Climate

Pembrokeshire group plans for larger community wind turbine

Published

4 weeks ago

November 22, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A NORTH Pembrokeshire group which has raised more than £76,000 from its community wind turbine for local projects is hoping to expand with a bigger turbine.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Abergwaun Community Turbine Ltd, through agent Machynlleth-based Dulas Ltd is hoping to get permission for a larger turbine to replace the existing Abergwaun Community Turbine.

The proposed turbine, in a pasture field at Trebover Farm, to the south of Fishguard, would be 67m tall, the existing 2015 one being 45 metres.

In supporting statements, parent company Transition Bro Gwaun said: “The Community Climate Fund (CCF) is the mechanism by which Transition Bro Gwaun (TBG) is fulfilling our ambition of funding projects in Fishguard, Goodwick and across North Pembrokeshire, using income from the community wind turbine.

“The core themes for grants are climate change mitigation and adaptation, enhancement of biodiversity and improvements to community resilience through promotion of community engagement and resource sharing.”

In 2015, TBG raised its 50 per cent share of capital funding for the project by means of loans from 28 local individuals and four community groups, contributing a total of £286,500, the other 50 per cent contributed by landowners Parc-y-Morfa Farms Ltd.

The statement added: “Profit generated by sale of electricity from the turbine is split 50:50 between TBG and Parcy-Morfa Farms Ltd through the jointly owned trading arm, Abergwaun Community Turbine. By the end of 2022, all loans had been repaid, allowing the launch of TBG’s Community Climate Fund. This year we have awarded our third round of grants bringing the total amount granted to £76,036.”

In 2022, £15,274 was awarded to seven projects, including Fishguard Sports AFC to install solar panels on their clubhouse as part of their Tregroes Park development, Ysgol Bro Gwaun for their Increasing Biodiversity and Bees project, and Nevern Valley Veg / Llysiau Cwm Nyfer to install a solar powered vegetable irrigation scheme.

In 2023, £39,85 was made available for seven projects, including Sea Trust Wales to part fund the installation of solar panels on the Ocean Lab roof and to produce a display on solar technology, Letterston Memorial Hall to part fund the installation of an air source heat pump heating system, and Fishguard and Goodwick Rugby Club to install solar panels on their clubhouse.

2024 awards of £20,917 were made to six projects, including Theatr Gwaun to insulate their loft to reduce heating loss, Parc Cerrig Growers for developing a rainwater harvesting system with a pond to irrigate their allotments, Caerhys Organic Community Agriculture for an electric cargo bike for delivering organic vegetables in the Fishguard and St Davids areas, and Nevern Valley Veg to develop wildlife ponds and rainwater harvesting for food production.

The supporting documentation concludes: “The repowering of the existing turbine at Trebover would require a limited increase in turbine size which would result in a very limited change in landscape and visual effects in comparison to the existing Trebover turbine.”

The application will be considered by planners at a later date.