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Glaciers in South America and Alaska melting faster than those in Europe, says new UNEP report

17.12.2010

The new report entitled "High Mountain Glaciers and Climate Change - Challenges to Human Livelihoods and Adaptation" compiled by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) in partnership with scientists and research centres from around the world, was released on 7 December 2010 at the COP16 in Cancún, Mexico. Glaciers in Patagonia, followed by those in Alaska have overall been losing mass faster and for longer than glaciers in other parts of the world, the report says. The third fastest rate of loss is among glaciers in the northwest United States and southwest Canada followed by ones in the high mountains of Asia, including the Hindu Kush of the Himalayas, the Arctic and the Andes. Even if many glaciers may take centuries to fully disappear, several low-lying, smaller glaciers which are often crucial water sources in drylands are melting much faster, putting at risk villagers and infrastructure, such as power plants.