Meltwater

Meltwater is the water released by the melting of snow or ice, including glacial ice. Meltwater provides drinking water for a large proportion of the world's population, as well as providing water for irrigation and hydroelectric plants. It can also destabilize glacial lakes leading to sudden floods, and destabilize snowpack causing avalanches. Meltwater also acts as a lubricant in the basal sliding of glaciers.

In a report published in June 2007, the United Nations Environment Programme estimated that global warming could lead to 40% of the world population being affected by the loss of glaciers, snow and the associated meltwater in Asia.

In the media

 * June 4, 2007, BBC: UN warning over global ice loss