The rate at which some of the world's glaciers are melting has more than doubled, data from the United Nations Environment Programme has shown. Average glacial shrinkage has risen from 30 centimetres per year between 1980 and 1999, to 1.5 metres in 2006. Some of the biggest losses have occurred in the Alps and Pyrenees mountain ranges in Europe. Experts have called for "immediate action" to reverse the trend, which is seen as a key climate change indicator. Estimates for 2006 indicate shrinkage of 1.4 metres of 'water equivalent' compared to half a metre in 2005. Achim Steiner, Under-Secretary General of the UN and executive director of its environment programme (UNEP), said: "Millions if not billions of people depend directly or indirectly on these natural water storage facilities for drinking water, agriculture, industry and power generation during key parts of the year. "There are many canaries emerging in the climate change coal mine. The glaciers are perhaps among those making the most noise and it is absolutely essential that everyone sits up and takes notice. Litmus test: He said that action was already being taken and pointed out that the elements of a green economy were emerging from the more the money invested in renewable energies. Mr Steiner went on: "The litmus test will come in late 2009 at the climate convention meeting in Copenhagen.

"Here governments must agree on a decisive new emissions reduction and adaptation-focused regime. Otherwise, and like the glaciers, our room for manoeuvre and the opportunity to act may simply melt away." Dr Ian Willis, of the Scott Polar Research Institute, said: "It is not too late to stop the shrinkage of these ice sheets but we need to take action immediately."

View: Full Article | Source: BBC News

Interesting how Achim Steiner immidiately correlates this to anthromoporphic global warming, and starts making demands for emissions reduction. However, the fact is that these sheets where FAR smaller than current levels 7000 years ago, and with evidence that they ice sheets have grown (and retreated) very rapidly over this period. (which is an eyeblink in geological terms). See here for an aritcle in Das Spiegel about forests discovered under the retreating Alpine glaciers. This study is an interesting one, and it is a shame that it has been politicised like this.

Meow Purr.

What caused this major malfunction? This is not unexplained! I have friends who are climatologists. You want to upset them, send them a email of this load of garbage. Anyone who does not have his or her own agenda, or a closed mind can look at all of the evidence for "global warming" and agree with John Coleman the founder of the weather channel seeing that it is a scam. When Mr. Coleman and other highly touted scientists are thinking of having to sue Al Gore to even get a debate which according to the science data would not be good for Mr. Gore. There is billions of dollars to be made off of this "consensus" cowpattie and if all goes to plan you (I will guarantee not I) will be paying out the tail to eventually see this farce in it's true colors. Sorry for the negative, but I once backed this crap. Pulling the wool over my eyes pees me off!!!

The melting of the polar ice caps is caused by
Planet X's approach,
and will eventually flood the earth
"which is a good thing trust me".

Keithisco

i have shrinkage issues in cold water also.