Planet’s Glaciers Melting Even Faster
17.03.2008 - Other
Data collected by the World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS) show that the average rate of melting and thinning of the world's glaciers over 2005-2006 had doubled in comparison to 2004-2005.
Supported by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), these scientists have been monitoring glaciers for more than a century. The core assessment is based on data coming from 30 glaciers found in 9 different mountain ranges, which has been continuously collected since 1830. In total, the report contains figures for around 100 glaciers and confirms an accelerating melting trend.
This could potentially impact the daily life of quite a few people, warns Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director: "Millions if not billions of people depend directly or indirectly on these natural water storage facilities for drinking water, agriculture, industry and power generation during key parts of the year".
