The futures of hundreds of millions of people across the world will be affected by declines in snow cover, sea ice, glaciers, permafrost and lake ice; this is the conclusion of a new and unique report launched to mark the World Environment Day on 5 June 2007.

“This report gives us an overall picture of the changes in snow and ice cover and the consequences for human beings and nature, not only in the polar and mountainous areas, but all over the world. To me it is particularly alarming to realise that climate change can be a reinforcing process – global warming results in further global warming,” said Helen Bjoernoey, the Minister of the Environment for Norway.

Rising temperatures will release methane gas and organ carbon – both powerful global warming components - from seas and melting permafrost soils. Meanwhile less snow and sea ice are leading to more of the sun’s heat being absorbed by the land and the polar oceans. These are among the “feedbacks” that could trigger even faster or more abrupt climatic changes with even wider-ranging impacts on people, economies and wildlife.

For example, a one metre sea level rise would, without adaptation measures, expose some 145 million people to flooding with Asia most affected and could cause costs to communities, livelihoods, industry and infrastructure up to $950 billion.
Currently experts predict a sea level rise of up to seven metres if the Greenland ice sheet will totally melt down.

“This Global Outlook demonstrates that the planet’s ice and snow is intimately connected to all life on Earth and not just those living or working in polar and mountain regions,” said Christian Lambrechts from the UNEP’s Division of Early Warning and Assessment. The report underlines that the challenge of global climate change can only be met through global political engagement and that political actions are urgently needed.

Further information:

World Environment Day and www.npolar.no
The Global Outlook for Ice and Snow (full report): www.unep.org/geo/geo_ice