Collapsing ice shelfs? Nope, perhaps the gravest impact of climate change on humankind will stem from the melting glaciers of the Himalayas. These enormous ice fields feed the river systems that have sustained Indian and Chinese civilizations for millennia. With their rapid retreat, the lives of over 2 billion people are at risk due to rivers like the Ganga, Yellow, and Yangtze being reduced to a seasonal trickle for the first time in recorded history.

The timeline for the near disappearance of these glaciers has been moved up due the accelerated pace of melting. Many could disappear altogether even before the mid-century mark. These alarming trends and their grave impact on food production have been noted by Lester Brown and the folks at the Earth Policy Institute. You can also listen to a podcast of this issue, which is also part of the general discussion on their latest book, Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization.