Glaciers melt 'at fastest rate in past 5,000 years'

[LongTomH]

From the Guardian Unlimited: The glaciers are melting at an increasing rate, and the consequence for people and eco-systems are dire. Billions of people in Asia and elsewhere depend on rivers fed by glacier melt for water.

The world's glaciers are melting faster than at any time since records began, threatening catastrophe for hundreds of millions of people and their eco-systems.

The details are revealed in the latest report from the World Glacier Monitoring Service and will add to growing alarm about the rise in sea levels and increased instances of flooding, avalanches and drought.

Based on historical records and other evidence, the rate at which the glaciers are melting is also thought to be faster that at any time in the past 5,000 years, said Professor Wilfried Haeberli, director of the monitoring service. 'There's no absolute proof, but nevertheless the evidence is strong: this is really extraordinary.'

<snip>

The problem could lead to failing infrastructure, mass migration and even conflict. 'We're talking about something that happens in your and my lifespan. We're not talking about something hypothetical, we're talking about something dramatic in its consequences,' he said

Glaciers melt 'at fastest rate in past 5,000 years'

There's another Guardian article here: Glaciers melt 'at fastest rate in past 5,000 years'

[tinrobot]

1. That can't be good.

If you have beachfront property, time to sell.

[TheMadMonk]

2. Not could. Will, will and will. /nt