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.