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World's Largest Tropical Glacier Vanishing

Posted by Zonk on from the no-rest-for-the-chilly dept.

Socguy wrote with a link to a CBC article about the rapidly disappearing Peruvian glacier known as the Quelccaya ice cap. The world's largest tropical glacier was a hot topic this past Thursday at the meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Glaciologist Lonnie Thompson, and a team of Ohio state scientists, produced the stunning news that Quelccaya and similar formations are melting at a rate of some 60 metres per year. While polar ice caps have commanded attention in the discussion of global warming to date, these tropical caps are crucial to the well-being of ecosystems relying on an influx of mountain stream fresh water.

8 of 462 comments (clear)

  1. The real reason it's vanishing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    It makes great margaritas.

  2. Second Life by realmolo · · Score: 2, Funny

    Second Life, the enormously popular Internet "virtual reality" world with over 60 zillion users, has PLENTY of tropical glaciers available. You can even build your own glacier, and earn REAL money selling the land to other Second Life players!

    Also, it's great if you are a furry.

  3. Re:When will the denials stop? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    There is no global warming. And even if there were, there's no proof humans are causing it. The liberal press is full of wingnuts. And besides, it doesn't matter because we're all going to heaven soon, except for the heathens. And I know for a fact that the earth is flat and has been since god created it 6000 years ago. And SCO will win its lawsuit against IBM. Because god told me so. I can prove Intelligent Design is true, because I am a shining example of it. By the way, I have a new job next week. I will be the SysAdmin at your company.

  4. Global Warming by Citizen+of+Earth · · Score: 5, Funny

    On the subject of Global Warming, allow me to be the first Canadian to say YES, YES, AWESOME, FUCK YEAH!

  5. Re:You're missing something by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3_gorges_dam

  6. Re:When will the denials stop? by drix · · Score: 2, Funny

    Also, there was another post earlier characterizing all global warming skeptics as backward-thinking fundamentalist christians who believe in intelligent design.

    I agree, that's going way too far.

    Most of them believe in creationism.

    --

    I think there is a world market for maybe five personal web logs.
  7. Re:When will the denials stop? by edwardpickman · · Score: 2, Funny

    Well at least you're quitting the job as the President's science adviser.

  8. Re:Does it even matter if the globe is warming? by Smuffe · · Score: 2, Funny

    Mass extinctions? Overpopulation?

    I was under the impression that these two cancel each other out?