If the North Pole Melts, Do We Have A Third Pole?
The Third Pole is the largest freshwater reserve in the world outside the Antarctic and Arctic polar regions. It is located to the north of India, encompassing the Tibetan Plateau, and the Himalayas, Hindu Kush, and Karakoram mountain ranges.
Also, it is home to the Siachen glacier, the second-largest glacier in the world, and to the Mount Everest. This vital powerhouse is in danger. Do you know why?
Third Pole of Earth on the Tibetan Plateau
It is the source of 10 major river systems that supply water to 1.5 billion people in Asia – nearly 20% of the world population. These water systems support people in India, Nepal, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.
Thus, the Third Pole directly or indirectly supports the lives of a fifth of the world population! It supplies water for agriculture, drinking and sanitation, livelihoods, and hydropower.
Watch this short video to understand the importance of the Third Pole for countries like India, China, and Pakistan.
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The Third Pole consists of 100,000 square kilometers of ice and 46,000 glaciers. However, 509 glaciers have disappeared in the last 50 years, according to the research of Qin Xiang, a glaciologist.
Climate Change and Rising Sea Levels
The rate of melting of glaciers in the Third Pole has doubled since 2005. One of the reasons being, the Tibetan Plateau is experiencing more heating than the global average.
First, it is sensitive given its high elevation. So, it absorbs moisture from warm, moisture-laden air.
By the end of 2030, the world is expected to see an increase in the global average temperature of 1.5oC. However, even if the global temperature rise is below 1.5oC, the Tibetan Plateau will experience a temperature rise above 2oC.
The Third Pole is not just in danger because of global warming. Also, because of emissions from vehicles and coal burners, and industrial pollution.
Besides, carbon particles settle on the glaciers causing increased absorption of sun rays, thus, accelerating the melting process.
Impact of Climate Change on Water
Research suggests that the initial melting of the glaciers would lead to flooding of rivers that originate from the Third Pole. In fact, some of the largest rivers like the Ganga (India), Irrawaddy (Myanmar), Indus (Pakistan), Yellow, and Yangstze (China) face the fear of flooding. While initially the rivers are feared to flood. Flooding will eventually be followed up by drying up of these rivers, and desertification, and a water crisis unleashed across countries.
There are deeper concerns about the changes in the Third Pole on the global climatic patterns. For instance, monsoons and El Nino could be affected. Water scarcity could also lead to further conflicts in regions already having a history of disputes.
Do you see how global warming and climate change lead to a domino effect on human lives, livelihoods, global climates, and relations among countries?
United Nations has held 25 global climate change conferences since 1995. However, global CO2 emissions have been increasing at an alarming rate since then. Also, countries have not been able to tackle climate change. To know why such climate change conferences yielded any efforts, watch this short video.
Climate Action Begins With Us
This is the time to wake up and sense the danger. And to work together to reduce our ecological footprint on the environment.
Keen to learn about global warming, climate change, and the need for sustainable living? Sign up for our courses on sustainable development here!
Greenhouse gases and carbon emissions need to be contained to save the Third Pole from melting. Not only to protect the Third Pole but to prevent all global environmental catastrophes.
Did you know that more than 200 environmental disasters were recorded this year globally, as per Global Catastrophe Recap: First Half of 2020. This was a 27% increase from the number of disasters that occurred in the same period in 2019.
These 207 disasters cost 2200 human lives. Moreover, $57 billion in losses. And, rampant destruction of natural resources. Together we can work towards a better, sustainable future.
Courses on India: Let us Work Together
Mastering India is a blended learning hub. Sign up and learn from our courses that cover everything from skill development to businesses in emerging markets to sustainable development.
Private firms and corporate companies can come together to mitigate such economic losses. And, to protect the planet and to give back to the society that builds them. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is one such way.
In India, CSR became law back in 2014. Consequently, private companies were able to spend a staggering amount of $6.8 billion on CSR activities in the next five years.
Watch this short video to know how CSR can help achieve sustainable development goals faster.
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Working towards a sustainable future for all living beings can happen with your contribution.
Wondering how to take the first step?
Learning about sustainable development and how about one’s role in fueling sustainable growth could be a good start. Sign up for our courses on CSR. This will help you learn about CSR and the opportunities it opens in India for a sustainable future.
References:
Sustainable Financing And The Economics of Sustainability
New in Switzerland: a CAS in negotiation and intercultural values with China, United States, India, Japan and Russia
The University of Neuchâtel is launching a new CAS (Certificate of Advanced Studies) unique in Switzerland for companies with contacts in China, the United States, India, Japan and Russia. This training, which aims to improve communication and negotiation skills, will start in January 2020. Registration deadline: November 15, 2019.
The economic environment has become globalized and internationalized in recent decades. Companies or administrations are in continuous contact with a multitude of countries whose customs, mores, the way of doing business, communicating and negotiating, can be very different from our way of operating. To maximize the opportunities to get in touch with other partners, it is important to understand the differences and prepare for these meetings and exchanges.
An unprecedented case
The Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in negotiation and intercultural values aims to improve communication and negotiation skills (simple and complex) and helps to better understand intercultural aspects. While dealing with general, legal and economic theories and issues, the program focuses on the challenge of negotiating in five different contexts (China, USA, India, Japan and Russia), which together represent great business potential. for Swiss companies.
Unlike the existing training in the field of negotiation, the lessons focus on the socio-cultural and psychological aspects rather than on the legal framework and legal specificities.
Each participant will have the opportunity to write a personal work with the follow-up of those in charge, in relation to his personal experience and the contributions of the CAS.
This CAS is aimed in particular at entrepreneurs and business and administrative managers. Information and registration under
www.unine.ch/unine/home/formation/formation-continue/FSE/nevi.html
The courses on March 6 and May 15, 2020 on the subject of India are taught in English. The other courses are taught in French.
Module Description
International trade and legal principles International trade and development; Trade liberalization and competitiveness; Migration and international trade; International trade and environment; Legal principles of international trade / WTO law / Competition law.
Intercultural values and differences This module covers five countries with five independent lessons: China, the United States, India, Japan and Russia. For each country, the following themes will be discussed: the country’s history and political and economic system, relations with Switzerland; differences in the process of communication; ways to develop intercultural sensitivity and to come into contact with its nationals, to present oneself and to widen one’s network.
Opportunities among the Great Asian Powers The opportunities and challenges in relations with the two major Asian economies (China and India) are presented through examples in various sectors related to Swiss companies. The module also deals with the possibilities of developing business, opening up to the challenges of tomorrow and offers a critical analysis of the challenges and opportunities facing our country.
Negotiation This module is divided into two parts. The first deals with an introduction to negotiation, its strategies, tactics and tools. Using real cases and examples, we will also discuss the most typical mistakes in negotiation, and techniques to avoid them. A second part deals with the psychological effects of negotiation: putting under pressure, tools that allow it to be detected, reaction to pressure, with the setting up of practical workshops.
Defense of personal work and summary This module will allow each participant to present their personal work and engage in a discussion on the issue addressed.
Target audience
• Business and administrative executives
• Entrepreneurs and start-up managers
• Political and economic decision-makers
• Members of boards of directors
• Anyone interested in negotiation and intercultural values
Speakers
The speakers have a close connection with the country he presents.
Registration finance
CHF 6’500.-
Registration deadline
November 15, 2019
Prerequisite
Master or Bachelor degree from a Swiss university or qualification deemed equivalent. Persons with adequate professional training and professional experience of at least five years in the field studied may be admitted on application. The direction of
program may invite applicants for an interview, in order to assess their experience and motivation, ensuring fair treatment between them.
Title issued
Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Negotiation and Intercultural Values for companies in the following countries: China, India, United States, Russia and Japan, with 12 ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System).
Dates and place
The training program will run from January to October 2020, for 15 days, (mainly Fridays) from 9.15 a.m. to 4 p.m. Classes are given in the premises of the University of Neuchâtel, which is located near the center and Neuchâtel station.
Information
Faculty of Economics, cas.nevi@unine.ch, Tel. +41 32 718 14 37 (Mondays and Fridays), www.unine.ch/cas-nevi