Climate change: Loss of glaciers will hurt tourism, power supplies and more

The ice masses that formed over millennia from compac­t­ed snow have been melting since the time of the Industrial Revolution, a process that has accelerated in recent years

From the southern border of Germany to the highest peaks in Africa, glaciers around the world have served as moneymaking tourist attractions, natural climate records for scientists and beacons of beliefs for indigenous groups.

With many glaciers rapidly melting because of climate ch­a­n­ge, the disappearance of the ice sheets is sure to deal a blow to countries and commu­n­ities that have relied on them for ge­nerations — to make electrici­ty, to draw visitors and to up­h­old ancient spiritual traditions.

The ice masses that formed over millennia from compac­t­ed snow have been melting since the time of the Industrial Revolution, a process that