An international study has confirmed that glaciers worldwide are melting at an accelerating rate, with significant consequences for regional freshwater supplies and global sea-level rise. The findings, published in Nature, highlight the loss of 273 billion tonnes of ice per year since 2000, with the rate increasing by 36% in the last decade. This trend has serious implications for water availability and coastal communities worldwide.
Rapid Glacier Loss
In the year 2000, glaciers—excluding the massive ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica—covered 705,221 square kilometers and contained approximately 121,728 billion tonnes of ice. Since then, glaciers have lost about 5% of their total volume, with regional variations ranging from 2% in Antarctic and Subantarctic regions to a staggering 39% in Central Europe.
The study, part of the Glacier Mass Balance Intercomparison Exercise (Glambie), coordinated data from 35 research teams using satellite observations and field measurements. The analysis revealed that between 2000 and 2023, glaciers collectively lost 6,542 billion tonnes of ice, contributing 18 mm to global sea-level rise.
Consequences for Water Resources and Coastal Communities
Glaciers serve as crucial freshwater reserves, particularly for regions where they dominate runoff during warm and dry seasons. Their decline threatens water supplies for millions of people, especially in Central Asia and the Andes, where glacial meltwater sustains agriculture and human consumption.
Beyond freshwater loss, melting glaciers are a major driver of rising sea levels. Today, they rank as the second-largest contributor to global sea-level rise, following thermal expansion due to ocean warming. With global sea levels already rising at an accelerated rate, low-lying coastal communities face an increasing risk of flooding, land loss, and extreme weather events.
The Need for Urgent Action
According to the report the findings emphasize the urgency of climate action to mitigate glacier loss and its cascading effects. Scientists stress that future research must build on these insights to refine climate models and guide policy decisions. Ongoing satellite missions, such as Europe’s Copernicus CRISTAL mission, will play a crucial role in monitoring glacier evolution and informing adaptation strategies.
the authors of the study say it also marks a significant milestone in preparation for the United Nations’ International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, reinforcing the need for global efforts to address climate change and protect critical freshwater resources.