Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

July 25, 2008 10:04:01 PM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Glacial Melt Hit Record in '06

Posted Mar 17, 08 8:33 AM CDT in Science & Health 

(Newser) – Glaciers shrank an alarming average of 4.9 feet in 2006, the UN Environment Program says—a dramatic difference from ice loss numbers in the ‘80s and ‘90s, when glaciers lost an average 11.8 inches a year. UNEP’s director pointed to "many canaries in the climate change coal mine," emphasizing that millions depend on glaciers for water, agriculture, and power generation, BBC News reports.

Scientists at the World Glacier Monitoring Service studied nine mountain ranges to collect the data, which found that Europe's Alps and Pyrenees mountain ranges were among the hardest-hit. The director of the monitoring services says the findings “are part of what appears to be an accelerating trend with no apparent end in the sight.”

Sources BBC, Associated Press

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon
Two tourists look at the ice structure of the Aletschgletscher glacier near Bettmeralp in the canton of Valais, Switzerland, in this 2007 file photo.   (AP)
Water pours down and feeds a stream from the Ferpecle glacier in the Herens Valley, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, in this 2006 file photo   (AP )
Water drops from the Ferpecle glacier in the Herens Valley, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, in this 2006 file photo.   (AP )
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (1 of 2)

Tags

climate change  • United Nations  • environment  • Europe  • glacier  • ice melt  • Alps  • Pyrenees


Loading...

Loading...

Today's Most Popular


Other Science & Health Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »