Fresh warnings over global warming
Following on from World Environment Day (June 5th), fresh warnings have been issued about climate change and its effect on the world's glaciers and the polar ice cap. The event was themed around "Melting Ice - A Hot Topic", which was particularly pertinent given that the event was hosted by the Arctic town of Tromsoe in Norway, a region that is heating up twice as fast as other parts of the planet.
Recently a United Nations report warned that global warming is melting ice and snow faster than previously thought and it will affect hundreds of millions of people around the world. Glaciers from The Alps to The Himalayas are in retreat and snowfalls are becoming unreliable in many regions.
The report noted that less snow is now falling in many areas and that there has been a 1.3% decline per decade since the 1960's in the northern hemisphere. It warns that a rise in temperature of one degree Celsius would raise the snowline in the Alps by 150 meters, damaging ski resorts and winter tourism.
What Can You Do?
In the UK the public is being asked to identify one change they can make to their everyday lives to protect nature and fight climate change. "Climate change is one of the greatest threats we face today," claims the Climate Change and Environment Minister, Ian Pearson. "It threatens our precious environment, our economy and our health, but if everyone acts now then we can avoid its worst effects."
The Environment Agency is carrying out the biggest survey on climate change and asking 3 questions;
Later this year the Environment Agency will announce a competition for youngsters to become Climate Change Champions; young ambassadors from regions around the UK who communicate climate change around the country.
Worldwide Warning
Further from home, the Pakistani President, General Musharraf, also warns of the impact of climate change. "Shrinking mountain glaciers in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas will affect fresh water supplies with consequences for food production and human health," he said. "It is appropriate that 2007 also marks the start of the International Polar Year, an internationally co-ordinated effort to promote polar research. Today, ice melting is taking place in all the regions of the world." 5 of the worlds 8,000m mountains are in the northern areas of Pakistan and 3 of the world's 7 longest glaciers (outside the polar areas) are also located in the country.
Source: The Ski Club of Great Britain
