Benefits of glaciers

One of the major benefits of glaciers in developed countries is their ability to provide a reliable water supply for hydro-electric power generation. Here a dam at Griesgletscher, Valais, Switzerland has been constructed to receive meltwater in summer for use in power generation in winter. During the extremely hot summer 2003 so much meltwater was available that power generation continued throughout the summer, when there was a shortage of electrical energy in central and southern Europe. JA

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