BUILDING HIGHER GEOPEDOLOGY GLACIERS, THE GREAT GUARDIANS OF THE PLANET S CLIMATE The Earth s glaciers have been silently retreating for more than half a century as climate change inexorably goes on. The causes behind glacial melting are: CO2 emissions: the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases produced by industry, transport, deforestation and burning fossil fuels. Ocean warming: oceans absorb 90% of the Earth s warmth, and this fact affects the melting of marine glaciers, which are mostly located near the poles and on the coasts of Alaska. Less fresh water: less water for consumption by the population, a lower hydroelectric energy generation capacity, and less water available for irrigation. The main consequences are: Sea level rise: sea level has risen by 2.7 centimetres since 1961. Furthermore, the world s glaciers contain enough ice to raise sea levels by nearly half a metre. Impact on the climate: slowing of the oceanic currents and increase of extreme weather events in the world. Disappearance of species: extinction of numerous species, both terrestrial and aquatic, which live in this natural habitat. Glaciologists believe that we do still have time to save the glaciers but it is necessary to reduce global CO2 emissions by 45% over the next decade, and that they fall to zero after 2050. Adapted from: https://www.iberdrola.com/environment/ melting-glaciers-causes-effects-solutions to affect: avere effetto su melting: scioglimento slowing: rallentamento warmth: calore 13 Read the passage and decide if the sentences are true (T) or false (F). T 1. Global climate stability is closely connected to the Earth s glaciers. 2. The Earth s glaciers have been retreating for the last 25 years. 3. About 10% of the Earth s warmth is absorbed by oceans. 4. The amount of ice contained in glaciers may considerably raise sea levels. F T F 5. The slowing of oceanic currents is not linked to the glaciers melting. 6. The extinction of numerous animal species is a consequence of the melting of glaciers. 7. In the future, there will be no shortage of water for population and agriculture. 8. Scientists say that the solution is a strong cut of CO2 emissions. THE ENVIROMENT 53