Glaciers are vanishing at an alarming speed. A recent UNESCO report reveals that the past three years recorded the largest loss of glacial mass ever. Since 1975, about 9,000 gigatons of ice have melted away. To put that in perspective, that’s like having an ice block the size of Germany, 25 meters thick, simply disappear.
This rapid melting is happening from the Arctic to the Alps and from South America to Tibet. Climate change, driven by the burning of fossil fuels, is raising global temperatures and making this situation worse. As glaciers melt, it leads to rising sea levels, which could create significant economic and environmental challenges for people worldwide.
The report aligns with the first World Day for Glaciers, celebrated in Paris, urging immediate action to protect these vital ice masses. Michael Zemp, who heads the World Glacier Monitoring Service, highlighted that five out of the last six years have seen record losses, with glaciers losing about 450 gigatons in just 2024.
Glaciers are now one of the biggest factors contributing to rising sea levels. This situation poses risks of major floods for millions. Moreover, billions rely on glaciers for hydroelectric energy and agriculture, making their loss even more serious.
Stefan Uhlenbrook from the World Meteorological Organization mentioned that there are around 275,000 glaciers left globally. Together with the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets, they hold about 70% of the world’s freshwater. Uhlenbrook emphasized the need for better scientific understanding and monitoring to prepare for these changes.
In mountain communities, about 1.1 billion people feel the impacts of glacier loss most acutely. These areas face increased natural hazards and water shortages, complicating solutions due to their remote and rugged landscapes. Rising temperatures are expected to lead to more droughts and increase the risks of avalanches and floods.
One poignant example comes from Peru, where a farmer is suing a major energy company for help with flood defenses linked to melting glaciers. His situation underscores the human toll of climate change on those most affected.
Heidi Sevestre, a glaciologist with the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program, shares how devastating these changes can be. During a recent visit to the Rwenzori Mountains in East Africa, she witnessed glaciers that might disappear by 2030. The local Bakonzo communities, who have a spiritual bond with the glaciers, feel this loss deeply.
Conflicts over water resources are rising due to glacial melt in East Africa, highlighting the interconnectedness of communities and climate issues. A study shows that from 2000 to 2023, melting glaciers contributed 18 millimeters to global sea level rise, which may seem small but can amplify annual flooding risks for hundreds of thousands of people.
“Billions of people are connected to glaciers, whether they realize it or not,” Sevestre notes. Protecting these ice giants is a responsibility we all share. As glaciers continue to melt, the urgency for action grows ever more critical.
For further understanding of glacial impacts, check out [this comprehensive report from the World Glacier Monitoring Service](https://www.wgms.ch/).
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Source linkoceans, climate change, environment
