-->

• The reduction of ice shelves and glaciers throughout the globe has environmental scientists speculating about the effects of climate change on the Earth's supply of ice. With 69% of the worlds fresh water locked up in glaciers and icecaps, global ice loss has become an issue of growing concern.

• Fast Facts

  1. 69% of fresh water is in glaciers and icecapsSolcom House: Glaciers and Ice Sheets
  2. 10% of the Earth is covered by glaciers
  3. Bering Glacier is the largest glacier in the U.S.
  4. Almost 500,000 sq/mi of sea ice depletion in the last three decades
  5. 2007: United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) issued a report on the subject
  6. • Rising sea levels
  7. • Lost access to drinking water
  8. • Increased risk of flooding
  9. • Acceleration of global warming
  10. Sea level rises 0.005 inches per year

• Consequences

  A 2007 U.N. report determined that glacial reduction in the mountains of Asia could have catastrophic effects for the 40% of the world's population that relies on the glaciers for drinking water and irrigation. The study determined that the current rate of sea rise as a result of the melting ice will expose millions to greater risk of flooding.BBC: UN warning over global ice loss (June 4, 2007)

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Climate Change | Al Gore | Laurie David | Kyoto Protocol | Recycling | Al Gore Mansion | Bali Climate Talks | Greenland | Not Evil Just Wrong

Categories

• View History
• Discuss on the Message Board
• Embed this Page
• Share this page