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The article considers the melting of the world's glaciers and its impact on global ocean level and climate. Glaciers are massive reservoirs of fresh water that feed rivers around the world and they indicate the true extent of climate change. A 2005 study of historical records of glacier length showed that for the period between 1860 and 1900, 35 of the 36 glaciers for which records were available retreated. The problem now is the speed and the widespread nature of the retreat. In a recent study of 100 glaciers in Alaska and Canada, all but three were losing mass. INSETS: Two-minute warning;The penetration problem.