Results of research conducted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) backed ‘World Glacier Monitoring Service’ (WGMS), based at Zurich University, show that ice loss in glaciers reached record levels in 2006. The high levels of thawing are attributed to climate change.

Researchers measuring nearly 30 glaciers across the world found that on average the ice masses shrank by 1.4 metres in 2006, up from half a metre in 2005.

“The latest figures are part of what appears to be an accelerating trend with no apparent end in sight,” WGMS director Wilfred Haeberli said in a statement.

UNEP warned that the thaw could disrupt future water supplies. “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.” explains UNEP’s executive director Achim Steiner.

Examples of areas that could be affected by dramatic results for water supplies include India, where rivers are fed by Himalayan glaciers & the west coast of North America,  where water is sourced from glaciers in the Rockies mountains and the Sierra Nevada.

“There are many canaries emerging in the climate change coal mine,” UNEP’s executive director Achim Steiner stated. “The glaciers are perhaps among those making the most noise and it is absolutely essential that everyone sits up and takes notice.”

On average, the glaciers shrank by 4.9 feet in 2006, the most recent year for which data are available. The most severe loss was recorded at Norway’s Breidalblikkbrea glacier, which shrank 10.2 feet in 2006. Between the years 2004 and 2006 the average rate of melting & thinning of the galciers measured more than doubled.

Achim Steiner stressed the need for governments to agree emission reductions at the international conference at Copenhagen, next year. “Otherwise, and like the glaciers, our room for manoeuvre and the opportunity to act may simply melt away,” he added.

A movement is underway to persuade the UK government to introduce ‘Sustainable Living & Environmental Awareness’ lessons in schools. A petition has been started at the 10 Downing Street website. Add your voice here

The UK Intellectual Property Office (UK-IPO) launches a competition to encourage Britain’s youngest inventors to think green when coming up with new ideas.

Recent research by the UK-IPO shows the UK is among the world’s leading nations for eco-friendly inventions, ranking in the top six for the number of energy saving inventions. The table is headed by Japan followed by China, America, Germany and Korea.

The competition targets young inventors to keep Britain in top league of green inventors

The UK-IPO is committed to encouraging green innovation and is using the Cracking Ideas 2008 competition as a focus for the launch of its flagship education project for primary school aged children.

Cracking Ideas offers teachers resources and activities for the classroom through their website, the resources link to a nationwide competition to find the inventors of tomorrow. Children aged 9-11 will be encouraged to come up with a new invention - with the emphasis on something eco friendly.

The campaign is backed by Oscar® winners Wallace & Gromit and uses inspiration from their new film A Matter of Loaf and Death and features their own green inventions. Prizes for the winning schools include a special screening of the new film.

Minister for Intellectual Property Baroness Delyth Morgan said it was an important initiative to get children thinking about innovation at an early age.

“Cracking Ideas is fantastic for encouraging primary school aged children to innovate. It’s great that this year we are getting children to think about green innovations.

The UK is proud of its innovating tradition and our work on energy saving devices. Cracking Ideas keeps us at the forefront of this vital field.

We are very fortunate that Wallace and Gromit and Aardman Animations have played a part in bringing this exciting project to life in our schools, and I would like to thank them for their support,” she said.

Trevor Baylis, one of Britain’s most famous inventors, has also recently launched the innovative Eco Media Player. The inventor of the Wind-up Radio has brought the idea to a modern media player which stores 500 songs and comes with a radio and torch. It plays music for 20 hours before it needs to be charged - and this is done by cranking a fold-up handle at the rear rather than plugging it in. More…

The UK Intellectual Property Office (UK-IPO) is the government body responsible for the establishment and maintenance of the national framework of intellectual property rights (IPRs) (patents, designs, trade marks and copyright) and the granting and management of rights within that framework. UK-IPO leads and promotes UK interests in European and international efforts to harmonise and simplify IP law.