June 4, 2007 — Up to 12 percent of Arctic ice has turned to water in the past 30 years, an alarming fact that only accelerates global warming further, the United Nations warned in a report on Monday.
The Arctic ice sheet has shrunk by six to seven percent in winter and by 10 to 12 percent in summer over the period, according to the Global Outlook for Ice and Snow report, published on the eve of World Environment Day.
The snow-covered regions of the northern hemisphere have reduced from seven to 10 percent during March and April in the past 30-40 years, according to the report presented by the U.N. Environment Program (UNEP).
The melting of the ice and snow is not only a consequence of global warming, it is also an accelerating factor, researchers presenting the report in the Norwegian Arctic town of Tromsoe said.
"Snow and ice reflect 70 to 80 percent of the sun's energy, whereas water absorbs it. If snow and ice continue to melt, this will amplify global warming," report author Paal Prestrud told journalists.
"6.5 billion people on this planet have built their way of life... around a certain reality. This reality is changing even more rapidly than expected," UNEP executive director Achim Steiner added.
The acceleration process also makes it more difficult to anticipate future developments, he added.
"(This process) is of such magnitude that our ability to predict the future is severely constrained," Steiner said.
"This means that the adaptation process of coping with climate change is potentially so far-reaching in terms of economic costs and consequences that we have to act now," he added.
