The Importance and Vulnerability of the World's Water Towers

Explore the critical importance and vulnerability of the world's water towers in this 38-minute press conference from AGU's Fall Meeting 2019. Discover how mountain regions store and supply water through glaciers, lakes, and streams, supporting a quarter of the global population. Learn about the Water Tower Index, climate change impacts on Himalayan glaciers, and potential solutions including CO2 reduction and political cooperation. Gain insights into the Indus Forum, the significance of timing in water supply, and the need for long-term data collection. Understand the importance of capacity building, training the next generation of researchers, and establishing regional organizations to address water tower challenges. Delve into discussions on defining high mountain regions and their role in global water security.

Introduction
Water Tower Index Visualization
Climate change impact on Himalayan glaciers
Questions
Solutions
CO2 reduction
Political tension
Trans boundary issues
Indus Forum
Importance of timing
Timing in the Indus
More instrumental data
Longterm data
Capacity building
Training the next generation
Short duration projects
Longterm projects
Regional organizations
More questions
What is a mountain
High mountain regions