For 32 years, scientists at the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research have been monitoring the 50 glaciers in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. Their most recent data shows that 2.2 billion metric tons of permanent ice disappeared from the glaciers between April 2007 and March 2008. Lead scientist Dr. Jim Salinger said that the main cause of the loss is global warming, and that this behavior is consistent with glaciers worldwide that are retreating.

Dr. Salinger and colleagues at the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, we deeply appreciate this alarming but vital information on the state of New Zealand’s glaciers. Let us all act quickly to step more lightly and protect our magnificent planet from further effects of global warming.

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