By Matthew Knight, for CNN
Left: Taken August 13, 1941 by W.O. Field | Right: Taken August 31, 2004 by B.F. Molnia
(CNN) -- The admission that flawed glacier data found its way into the 2007 report by the U.N.'s leading climate panel has dealt another blow to the organization's credibility and to climate science. But climate scientists remain convinced that glaciers are in retreat.
Paul Valdes, professor of physical geography at the UK's University of Bristol told CNN: "The scientific data is continuing to show a widespread decline of these [Himalayan] glaciers and this remains an area of deep concern."
The error relating to Himalayan data is particularly embarrassing because glaciers allow scientists the opportunity to illustrate their complex scientific data with simple before and after pictures showing the true extent of glacier retreat over the past century.
Many of these changes in glaciers have been recorded in the U.N. Environmental Program study "Global Glacier Changes: facts and figures." Others can be found in an exhibition currently touring the U.S..