Puncak Jaya's "Eternal Snow" on the Verge of Extinction

"Eternal snow" or ice cover in Puncak Jaya, Papua, continues to melt due to the impact of climate change. This year's El Nino phenomenon has the potential to accelerate the extinction of the ice cover in Puncak Jaya.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in ”Salju Abadi” Puncak Jaya di Ambang Kepunahan

KOMPAS/KHAERUDIN

Carstensz Pyramid or Puncak Jaya, which is the highest mountain peak in Indonesia (4,884 meters above sea level), was captured from the Overlook Bunaken (2,285 meters above sea level) in the open mining area of Grasberg PT Freeport Indonesia, on Saturday (18/8/2018).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - The ice cover or "eternal snow" in Puncak Jaya, Papua, is continually melting year after year and is further exacerbated by global warming and other climate change impacts. This year's El Nino phenomenon has the potential to accelerate the extinction of the ice cover in Puncak Jaya.

The Head of the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), Dwikorita Karnawati, stated that Indonesia is one of the unique locations in the tropical region because it has "perennial snow" in Puncak Jaya, Papua. The ice peak in this tropical region is a natural wonder that attracts a lot of attention among scientists, researchers, and nature lovers.

"However, in the past few decades, a drastic decrease in the extent of permanent snow has been reported. The change is strongly suspected to be related to the global warming that is currently occurring worldwide," he said in a seminar entitled "Eternal Snow on the Brink of Extinction: The Impact of Climate Change?" in Jakarta on Tuesday (22/8/2023)."

The Research and Development Center (Puslitbang) of the Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), in collaboration with Ohio State University in the United States since 2010, has been conducting research on paleoclimatology analysis based on ice cores from the Puncak Jaya glacier. BMKG, supported by PT Freeport Indonesia, continues to monitor the area and thickness of the Puncak Jaya glacier.

According to Dwikorita, since the observation began until now, ice cover in Puncak Jaya has been melting and heading towards extinction. In 2010, the ice thickness was estimated to be 30 meters and ice thinning of 1 meter per year occurred in 2010-2015. Then, during the strong El Nino in 2015-2016, the thinning of ice reached 5 meters per year.

KOMPAS/MOHAMAD FINAL DAENG

Lake Habema in Jayawijaya Regency, Papua, with a high mountainous background, on Thursday (11/10/2012).

Meanwhile, from 2016 to 2022, ice depletion occurred at a rate of approximately 2.5 meters per year. The extent of ice cover in 2022 is approximately 0.23 square kilometers and continues to experience melting.

"The El Nino phenomenon in 2023 has the potential to accelerate the extinction of ice cover in Puncak Jaya. The extinction of the 'eternal snow' in Puncak Jaya has a significant impact on the aspects of life in the region. The ecosystem surrounding the 'eternal snow' becomes vulnerable and threatened," he said.

In addition, Dwikorita mentioned that climate change also affects the lives of indigenous communities who have long depended on the balance of the environment and natural resources in the area. Another impact of ice melting is its contribution to the increase of global sea levels.

Also read: Ice in Puncak Jaya is estimated to disappear in 2023

The condition necessitates raising awareness among all parties about the importance of preserving and protecting the environment. Climate change mitigation efforts should be undertaken collaboratively by the government, society, and private sector. Reducing emissions and developing renewable energy are important steps that must be taken as soon as possible.

"We need to continue to maintain and control the rate of temperature increase by transforming fossil energy into more environmentally friendly energy. In the National Long-term Development Plan, we recommend the need for a more systematic program for observing and monitoring environmental parameters," he said.

BMKG

PVC pipe system illustration depicts changes in ice thickness on ENF in June 2010, November 2015 (gray), May 2016 (red), and November 2016 (blue). Aerial photos of ENF taken in (b) June 2010, (c) November 2015, (d) November 2016, and (e) March 2018 show ice mass separation. Source: BMKG.

The program for systematic observation and monitoring of environmental parameters is very vital to support accurate analysis and conclusions, including for early warning efforts from BMKG. With this support, in the future, BMKG will not only be regarded as a data provider but can also analyze and recommend through the collected data in relevant information for various sectors.

The temperature of the earth is heating up

The increasing potential for the extinction of eternal snow on Puncak Jaya is not separated from the global temperature that continues to increase every year. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) notes that the global average temperature in early June 2023 has reached 1.5 degrees Celsius hotter than the temperature during pre-industrial times. The hottest global average temperature record occurred on July 3, reaching 17.01 degrees Celsius.

Head of the Climate Change Information Center at BMKG, Fachri Rajab stated that generally, the average air temperature in July 2023 in Indonesia also showed a positive anomaly or higher than its climatological average. The maximum anomaly was recorded at the Emalamo-Sanana Meteorological Station in North Maluku, at 1.2 degrees Celsius.

In addition, the highest temperature increase was recorded at the Sam Ratulangi-Manado Meteorological Station in North Sulawesi, reaching 0.4 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, the highest temperature decrease was recorded at the Yogyakarta Meteorological Station, reaching minus 1.5 degrees Celsius.

NASA/KATHRYN HANSEN

Sea ice is melting in the Arctic Ocean.

"From the average temperature, almost all regions are colored orange towards red. This means that the temperature is indeed continuing to rise. Even the red region (Eastern Indonesia, especially Papua) reached 1.3 degrees Celsius above the average temperature of 1976-2005," he said.

Also read: Warning from the Breaking of an Iceberg in Antarctica

Vice President Environmental of PT Freeport Indonesia, Gesang Setyadi, stated that his company is also reducing greenhouse gas emissions as an effort to tackle climate change. This effort is shown through a commitment to reduce emissions by 30 percent by 2030, as well as continuing reforestation and land rehabilitation.

In addition, Freeport also monitors air quality and meteorology and supports BMKG in conducting glacier research. On the other hand, Freeport also formed an energy management team, campaigned for energy savings, and built a smelter in Gresik, East Java, to support green economics.