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

[lovuian]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/mar/16/glaciers.climatechange1?gusrc=rss&feed=environment

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.'

Experts have been monitoring 30 glaciers around the world for nearly three decades and the most recent figures, for 2006, show the biggest ever 'net loss' of ice. Achim Steiner, head of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), told The Observer that melting glaciers were now the 'loudest and clearest' warning signal of global warming.

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

Lester Brown, of the influential US-based Earth Policy Institute, said the problem would have global ramifications, as farmers in China and India struggled to irrigate their crops.

'This is the biggest predictable effect on food security in history as far as I know,' said Brown.
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Global Warming is happening

[opihimoimoi]

1. Its all part of Natures normal cycle....melts followed by loss of fresh water

which means peeps depending on h2o must move as their streams dry up...which means the peeps must move to where there is water

but they will have to contend with peeps coming up from flooded seacoasts....space will be a factor...and loss of food production from flooded areas will impact neg on already dimishing supplies and worse.. Human pop exploding ...producing still further pressures....

fat will be a thing of the past as we struggle to feed ourselves..

but we don't give a damn as this is part of Natures Plan...a massive die off every once in a while ....its cruel but Normal...

I reckon about 2 to 3 billion will perish soon enough...the math sez so...

then the remaining resources can be streeeeetched among the survivors...

I suspect, the GOOPers want this...a die back...selfish bastids they are....

[OKthatsIT]

2. Global Warming is usually very quick...it's the ICE AGE that follows

that's the most dangerous. Fresh water diluting the salt water, changing water temps and ocean currents. The ocean currents will slow down to a halt. That's when the Ice Age comes. Its the Ice Age that traps the moisture in the glaciers and ice masses, which dries out the air around the world.

BTW, 3% of the Earth's carbon dioxide is manmade. The Sun and planets are traveling through the Gallactic Plane for another 10 yrs(20 altogether). The whole solar system is heating up. And whenever there is overactivity of the sun, it effects the tetonic plates and pressurizes magma...ocean volcanoes have been a major concern around the world, as well. They have been the biggest producers of carbon in the ocean and the temperature changes, too.