Glaciers in retreat at record rate

by Rich Bowden - Mar 17 2008, 04:36

The world's glaciers are melting at an alarming rate say experts who are calling on governments to act now to reverse the trend with the meltdown considered one of the main indicators of global warming.

Statistics released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has shown average shrinkage in the areas of glaciers has risen from 30 centimetres per year between 1980 and 1999, to 1.5 metres in 2006. Scientists say the most severe loss was in Norway's Briedalblikkbrea glacier while Chile's Echaurren Norte glacier was the only one to increase its area.

A rapid melting of the world's glaciers will have a chaotic effect say the researchers with increased avalanches, flooded rivers and rising sea levels leading to loss of essential water, ruined crops and power shortages as power stations which rely on river flows left paralysed.

Achim Steiner, executive director of UNEP, said he fears the lack of water could cause tensions which could lead to international conflict.

"We're talking about a major transformation, from household livelihood to big industries," says Steiner. "While I'm always cautious about 'water wars', certainly the potential for water to become a trigger for more tension and, where there's already conflict, to exacerbate conflict is another issue that's not hypothetical."

Mr Steiner added that that the crunch time for decision making to reverse the glacial melting will be at the heads of government meeting next year.

"The litmus test will come in late 2009 at the climate convention meeting in Copenhagen," he said. "Here governments must agree on a decisive new emissions reduction and adaption-focused regime. Otherwise, and like the glaciers, our room for manoeuvre and the opportunity to act may simply melt away."

The figures were compiled by the Zurich-based World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS) which is sponsored by UNEP.

"The latest figures are part of what appears to be an accelerating trend with no apparent end in sight," said Dr. Wilfried Haeberli, director of the WGMS.

"This continues the trend in accelerated ice loss during the past two and a half decades and brings the total loss since 1980 to more than 10.5 metres of water equivalent," he said.

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