In the wake of the floods in Uttarkhand, some officials blamed the disaster on global warming which has been linked to a rise in extreme weather events. In this instance, the disaster has been shown to be at least part man-made – the toll reflects the hazards of unplanned development and inadequate disaster preparedness in a region prone to flash floods and landslides.

But there is still good reason to be concerned about the changing climate in the Himalayas. Research suggests that the mountainous region may be on the frontlines of global warming, with temperatures rising faster than average and a host of consequent effects already being observed – from melting glaciers and declining snowfall to shifting plant species and changing seasons.

Click here to read the rest of this June 2013 piece.