Atmosphere Journal Entry

Glaciers Keep Melting Away (April 14, 2008)

Glaciers worldwide keep shrinking at an alarming rate, according to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). The rate of thinning doubled from 2005 to 2006. The study looked at data from 30 glaciers in nine mountain ranges around the world.

On average, glaciers shrank by almost five feet (over 1.5 meters) in 2006, the latest year with available data. Some glaciers lost much more than the average. The biggest loser was Breidalblikkbrea glacier in Norway. It lost a whopping 10 feet of ice (over 3 meters) in 2006.

Between 1980 and 1999, the global average ice loss per glacier was close to one foot (0.3 meters) per year. Since then, the rate has jumped to about 20 inches (0.5 meters) per year.

UNEP warns melting ice will soon cause big problems in regions where rivers are fed by glaciers. As glaciers disappear, these rivers will have much less water. Millions of people will need to find new water sources or will be forced to migrate.

India will feel the pain as Himalayan-fed rivers start drying up. Likewise, western North America will suffer as glaciers melt in ranges like the Rockies and Sierra Nevadas. It will be the same story in Africa and other parts of the world as well.