Climate change has caused a significant rise of 1.8¿ in average annual temperatures, with the largest increase seen during the winter months. Glaciers and winter snow are a freshwater reserve, replenishing rivers and lakes. However, with a warmer winter and an overall warmer climate, less snow accumulates and glaciers, like those in Uvs province, are melting faster than ever before. Meanwhile, in the desert and semi-desert regions of Mongolia, the frequency of droughts has increased. In areas like the Altai Sayan eco-region?s Bayan-Olgii province, 217 marshes have dried out. Overall, climate change is the largest natural contributor to the rapid loss of freshwater resources and reserves in Mongolia.

While climate change is depleting Mongolia?s scarce freshwater supply, a variety of anthropogenic factors are polluting and degrading the health of the remaining freshwater ecosystems. The industries of gold mining, gravel, copper and uranium extraction all use methods and technology that are inefficient and outdated, resulting in wastewater with high levels of both toxic chemicals and suspended sedimentation. Due to a lack of regulation and enforcement, the wastewater is released back into the rivers without proper filtration and treatment. Tens of kilometers of water downstream of these industrial areas experience sharp reductions in fish populations and become dangerous for consumption by humans, livestock and wildlife. This severely handicaps the geographic freedom of nomadic Mongolians and their livestock.

It becomes clear that Mongolia?s unique and scarce freshwater ecosystems need to be protected and kept clean to ensure a healthy future for Mongolia, its people and its environment. Today, national and international organizations and government agencies are collaborating to research, investigate, and take action on water pollution in Mongolia. There is still much to be done to help preserve the Mongolian nomadic lifestyle and environment.