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.
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)
Featured Video
Global Ice Loss Media
- LiveScience: Image Gallery: Glaciers Before and After
- LiveScience: Image Gallery: Ice of the Antarctic
- Earth Observatory: Melting Ice Reveals New Island off Greenland
- Video: Loss of Arctic sea ice (2006)
Areas Most Affected by Global Ice Loss
- Arctic
- BBC News: Arctic ice 'disappearing quickly' (2005)
- Antarctica
- WashingtonPost.com: "Antarctic Glaciers' Sloughing Ice..." (2006)
- Greenland
- MSNBC: Greenland's glaciers losing ice at faster rate (2007)
References
Fast Facts
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Fact:
69% of fresh water is in glaciers and icecapsSolcom House: Glaciers and Ice Sheets
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10% of the Earth is covered by glaciers
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Bering Glacier is the largest glacier in the U.S.
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Almost 500,000 sq/mi of sea ice depletion in the last three decades
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2007
United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) issued a report on the subject
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Concerns include
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Fact:
- Rising sea levels
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- Lost access to drinking water
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- Increased risk of flooding
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- Acceleration of global warming
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Fact:
Sea level rises 0.005 inches per year
