About the Project

The Himalayan environment is evolving rapidly, in response to climate change, and the region is a hotspot of glacier loss, particularly in eastern areas such as Bhutan. As climate warms and glaciers shrink, the threat from natural hazards, such as floods and mass movements, is becoming increasingly pressing in the Himalaya.

Himalayan glaciers are critical water reservoirs, supplying over 1.4 billion people with water (~20% of the global population) and helping to sustain supplies during the dry season. This water is essential for hydropower generation, which is a critical source of renewable energy and is the primary energy source in countries such as Bhutan, and for agriculture, which is often the primary employer and a key contributor to local and regional economies. Thus, the Himalaya faces the dual challenge of evolving natural hazards and landscape change under a warming climate and increasing exposure and vulnerability, as downstream populations and infrastructure expand.

Our work aims to enhance scientific understanding of changes in the physical environment and natural hazards, and to determine the risk these changes pose to downstream populations and deliver tangible benefits.