COP26: as world leaders discuss climate change, a 'save our glaciers' call from Peru

Peruvian citizens are calling on leaders at COP26 to take action to save the country's glaciers, which face almost certain extinction from climate change.

Over the last two decades, the glaciers on the Cordillera Blanca mountains in western Peru have receded by around 200 metres, according to locals.

While the farming economy of mountainous Peru relies on melting water from glaciers, which collects in lakes in the valleys below the peaks, too much water can mean flooding and lost water.

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The mountains account for around 72% of the world's tropical glaciers and are needed to keep the country's economy going.

Farms further down the mountain rely on the water for irrigation, but it also provides drinking water for millions across northern Peru.

However, one-third of the glaciers have melted in the past 10 years, with signs of climate change having caused the loss coming as early as the 1970s.