Over the last four decades , the world ’s 150,000 glaciers have lost the equivalent of a 70 cm thick layer of ice due to global warming . “We’re talking the next 20 years or so.” Some glaciers have also become shorter , while others have completely disappeared . Melting ice results in sea level rises , flooding , changes to ecosystems and disruption to hydroelectricity production . In the Tien Shan mountain range in central Asia , glacier retreat could also reduce the water supply for around 100 million people within the next two decades . Ultimately , the great river basins of Asia , on which hundreds of millions rely , could also be affected .
Over the last four decades , the world ’s 150,000 glaciers have lost the equivalent of a 70 cm thick layer of ice due to global warming . Some glaciers have also become shorter , while others have completely disappeared . Melting ice results in sea level rises , flooding , changes to ecosystems and disruption to hydroelectricity production . In the Tien Shan mountain range in central Asia , glacier retreat could also reduce the water supply for around 100 million people within the next two decades . Ultimately , the great river basins of Asia , on which hundreds of millions rely , could also be affected .