**3.2.5 Glacier retreat since 1850 and disappearance**

*IPCC (2007a:5)* found that, on average, mountain glaciers and snow cover had decreased in both the northern and southern hemispheres.

Fig. 9. A map of the change in thickness of mountain glaciers since 1970 (Thinning in orange and red, thickening in blue).

This widespread decrease in glaciers and ice caps had contributed to observed sea level rise. With very high or high confidence, *IPCC (2007d: 11)* made a number of projections relating to future changes in glaciers:

