All 117 N. Cascades Glaciers Receding Since 1984 - 7 Completely Melted

[hatrack]

From the crests of the Cascades to Puget Sound, people in the Pacific Northwest can expect to experience changes driven by global warming. Expect more winter flooding, more summer water shortages, more destructive wildfires and more troubled salmon runs. And, on average, shorter ski seasons.

The news isn't all bad. Maybe you won't have to chain up going over Snoqualmie Pass as often. It won't be as cold, on average, in the winter. In many years, you will be able to get away with starting your spring garden earlier.

This is the forecast from climate experts studying likely effects here. In fact, these changes already are happening. For instance, the North Cascades have been called America's Alps, but their glaciers are melting. Glaciers lost nearly a third of their mass in the past century. All 117 North Cascades glaciers monitored since 1984 by researchers from Nichols College in Dudley, Mass., have receded. Seven are gone entirely.

The steps being proposed by Mayor Greg Nickels' Green Ribbon Commission are intended to blunt these trends. But there is no way to reverse them. The biggest impact, say researchers from the Climate Impacts Group at the University of Washington, is disrupting the annual cycle of rain and snow that quenches our thirst, waters our crops, and nurtures Northwest salmon runs.

EDIT

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/264200_northwest24.html

[Deep13]

1. We are totally screwed.

[LuckyLib]

2. Every time there's news about global warming effects either

my husband or I recite our mantra: "But honey, our fearless leader says there's no such thing as global warming!"

[JohnWxy]

3. Not to worry , Michael Chrichton says this is all in our imagination.

Thank you Michael. Maybe when the seas start rising you will go down to the shore and BLOW THE WATER BACK for us.

[redqueen]

4. I'm starting to think it's too late...

that we've made our beds and bedtime is approaching.

[ramapo]

5. You're exactly right

We had a chance 30 years ago. Jimmy Carter recognized that something needed to done. Reagan and his delusional happy talk put Americans into a deep coma from which they have yet to emerge.

[Boomer]

6. Early Spring garden, eh?

>> In many years, you will be able to get away with starting your spring garden earlier. <<

As long as you've stored up plenty of water so you can beat the drought....