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Mont Blanc: Glacier melting

What already happened:

Since the middle of the past century the glaciers of the European Alps have lost about 30 to 40% in surface area and around half its original volume.
Development of the glacier of Mont Blanc and the Bossons: Beginning in 1861, the alpine glaciers begin a long recession, stimulated by a series of warm spring and summer seasons. In 1818, the Bossons glacier is 590 meters beyond its 1911 level, and 1200 meters beyond its 1952 limit. Between 1980 and 1995 the glacier of Mont Blanc and the Bossons retreated 519 meters (view graphic).

Future consequences of climate change:

Up to 95 per cent of Alpine glacier mass could disappear by 2100, with subsequent consequences for the water flow regime, affecting, e.g., summer water supply, shipping and hydropower.
Expected changes in snow and ice will have profound impacts on European streams and rivers.
Also, in some areas, winter tourism will be negatively affected.

Further information:

Sources:

Haeberli, W. & Beniston, M (1998). Climate Change and Its Impacts on Glaciers and Permafrost in the Alps. Ambio, Vol. 27 No. 4, 258-265.
Internet: History of the glacier of Mont Blanc and the Bossons.
IAHS/UNESCO (1998). Fluctuations of Glaciers 1990-1995. Volume VII. Zurich: World Glacier Monitoring Service.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (1997). The Regional Impacts of Climate Change: An Assessment of Vulnerability.