Earlier this week, a massive glacial lake burst in northern India, leading to the devastating loss of lives, homes, and livelihoods. The like burst occurred at Joshimath, in the northern district of Uttarakhand, leaving more than 100 people missing and 14 dead. The debris from the lake burst destroyed bridges, roads, and other infrastructure along the Alaknanda River, which eventually flows into the Ganges. As a consequence, several villages in the region were submerged by water up to their roofs. The regional response to the disaster has so far been minimal, with very little help arriving to the affected areas. This is likely the result of the lack of resources available to some of the rural villagers in the state. The cause of the lake burst is still under investigation, and it’s likely that global warming played a role. As the region—which is known for its glacier-filled rivers and lakes—has seen an increase in temperatures, the region is more prone to catastrophic events like these. The event serves as a stark reminder of the devastating effects of global warming and climate change. As countries continue to grapple with the urgent need to reduce emissions, it’s clear that more needs to be done to prevent similar disasters from occurring in the future. It is only through collaborative efforts that meaningful and lasting change can be achieved.